Do you know . . .

                          items of interest about people who are a part of SPC

Rae G.                                     

      Rachele “Rae” , who recently turned 82, received the first Gold Standard Award for Optimal Aging from University of Louisville Geriatrics. The award is to honor those who are role models for maintaining optimal aging across the full spectrum of physical, mental, social and spiritual health well into their senior years. Rae was nominated for the award by Leyda Smith who cited her caring and upbeat attitude saying, “…she is a wonderful friend with a great sense of humor and a super positive attitude. She likes movies, keeps up with the news and enjoys going to Churchill Downs and out for lunch and dinner.”

     A widow with two children and three grandchildren, Rae exemplifies
optimal aging throughout all facets of her life. She enjoys both daytime and overnight hiking, practices yoga and is in an exercise program at the YMCA. She has been a member of the same book club for the past 35 years and is
active at Springdale Presbyterian, where she serves on the membership committee. Rae also volunteers with Habitat for Humanity-Metro Louisville, and has served on its Family Selection Committee for 15 years. In the past five years, she traveled to Guatemala with Habitat and to Belize and Nicaragua with Hand in Hand Missions. This spring, she drove first to Wisconsin to pick up her two sisters and then to Montana for her nephew’s wedding – a trip of 5,000 miles in which she was the sole driver.

     Rae herself maintains that a balanced outlook is key. “I believe the secret to optimal aging is: Don’t think too little or too much of yourself. Your body and your mind both need regular attention; your friends and family need your attention with love and respect as well. Listen to God for guidance, and at the same time, don’t take life too seriously.”