Shirley Mueller is a retired mother and grandmother who lives in a senior apartment community in Liberty.
She has three children and six adult grandchildren who all live in the metro.
Initially, the coronavirus pandemic was a source of some anxiety and brought on feelings of isolation.
Now, her faith is a guiding light and source of peace during these uncertain times.
THE REBOUND KANSASCITY IS AN EFFORT TOHELP OUR COMMUNITYRECOVER FROM THEIMPACT OF THECORONAVIRUS.TONIGHT -- WE CONTINUEOUR WEEK-LONG SERIESWITH A WOMAN FILLEDWITH WISDOM.I SAT DOWN WITH HER TOTALK ABOUT FAITH --FAMILY -- AND OURIMMEDIATE FUTURE LIVINGWITH COVID-19.SHIRLEY MUELLER STARTSEVERY DAY -- WITHSCRIPTURE.Shirley MuellerRetiree"It was Isaiah 41:10 I actuallywrote it down.""So do not fear, for I am withyou.""I will uphold you with myrighteous right hand."MOST DAYS -- AND THEREHAVE BEEN A LOT OF THEM-- WITH A WALK TOO."I am 77 and a half and proudof it."SHE'S A MOM OF THREE --GRANDMA TO SIX -- WITHTHE PICTURES TO PROVEIT.A FULL LIFE -- THAT CAMETO A FULL STOP --BECAUSE OF THECORONAVIRUS."It was very difficult becauseour whole world changed justimmediately.
Boom."EARLY REPORTS WARNEDABOUT THE DANGER OFTHE VIRUS FOR OLDERPEOPLE."All the numbers andeverything made me veryanxious, as it did everybody.
Itwas hard to understand iteven"For older adults, ourgrandchildren say, 'Don't goout!'"INSIDE -- YOU SEEREMINDERS THAT THIS IS ASTRESS-FREE ZONE.DESPITE THE SUDDENDISTANCE."For a little while I startedfeeling kind of isolated.""We don't get to go to funeralsfor friends we lose.
We don'tget to go to graduations,birthday parties.""You can't hug each other andolder people really need hugs.We do."MUELLER STILL WANTS TO-- CHOOSE HAPPY ---- AND MAKE THE MOST OFEVERY MOMENT SHE HAS."I don't see my grandkids asmuch, but two of them cameover and we went to thenursery and one of the thingsthat's helped me is the treethat's behind you."SOMETHING LIVING ATHOME -- TO REMIND HEROF THE BEAUTY OF LIFE."I need to get out of myapartment more andfellowship with my neighbors."... LIKE MS. PAT."Living in a senior apartmentand talking to other peopleyou'll find that older peoplearefearless."THEY'RE ALSO THEPICTURE OF PEACE -- INTHE MIDDLE OF THISPANDEMIC."God has really helped mework through a lot of thingsand when I read scripture...""I don't worry about gettingCOVID.
I would worry if Ithought I got it and gave it tosomeone else."SHE'S SHARING INSIGHTON HOW WE CAN ALLSUPPORT THE OLDERPEOPLE WE CARE ABOUT."Call.
Most of the people in mybuilding do not text, but pickup the phone and call just fora few minutes and say howare you?
Do you needanything?
I'm thinking aboutyou.
I love you.""We don't have to be nose tonose to do things but it'simportant to keep in touch withother people."MUELLER IS TAKING IN THEBEAUTY ALL AROUND HER-- DETERMINED NOT TO LETTHIS TIME -- NO MATTERHOW DIFFICULT -- PASSHER BY."The biggest part is justhaving faith that things willgetbetter.
We have to have thathope.
If you lose hope, youlose all I think."MUELLER MADE IT A POINTTO ENCOURAGE OLDERPEOPLE TO REACH OUT TOTHEIR FAMILY MEMBERS --AND REMEMBER THATTHEIR VOICE AND LIFEMATTER.JOIN US TOMORROWNIGHT -- FOR OUR FINALSTORY ON THIS SERIES.THE GOAL IS TOINTRODUCE YOU TOPEOPLE RIGHT HERE INOUR COMMUNITY --IMPACTED BY THECORONAVIRUS INDIFFERENT WAYS.WE HOPE BY SHARINGTHEIR STORIES -- YOU'LLSEE A BIT OF YOUR OWN --SO W