“Life goes on” and other advice from a former Girl Scout

Francine: I think the most important lesson I've learned in life is to take everybody as they are and not to judge. You just never know what's going on in somebody's mind, in somebody's life.

And so many people surprise you. You think they're not capable or that they could never do that. And then, pow. They do more than you expect. The other thing is, you can't expect everybody to have your values.

You have to be open to people and to new ideas. I think I've learned a lot. When I was a kid, I used to judge people a lot, and I hope I don't do that anymore.

I've met so many different types of people, and you learn to value each one. Each friendship is wonderful, and I cherish the people that I love in my life. I mean, I miss my husband terribly. He was my companion for so many years, and we shared everything. Now, I want to go to tell him something, and he's not there.

But life goes on. You have to remember that no matter how much you're hurting, life goes on. It’s your choice to go on with it, and if you don't go on with it, that's your fault.

You can choose to participate or not, and I'm choosing to participate.

I'm given this life here to do the best I can while I'm here. Not that I don’t miss him. I miss my brothers, I miss my parents, I miss everybody that I've lost.

But life is going on and it's moving right in front of you, and if you're not moving with it, then what good are you to the world? 

I don't know. I have a zest for life. I guess I'm thinking about moving. As long as I can bring my cat with me, I wouldn't mind that. It's a new adventure, it's a new challenge, and I won't have to cook anymore. I'll have activities I can go to, and I want to keep volunteering as long as I can.

I've met a lot of wonderful friends in volunteer work, not only with the Girl Scouts, but also in my church groups and in other groups in town. I used to work the polls. That was fabulous.

I just don't have the energy anymore, because it’s a very long day. But I miss it, and I miss meeting all the people and seeing them coming out to vote.

If you don't keep moving, you're just going to be a stagnant pool. You’re going to breed mosquitoes or something, you know?