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By Deborah Carl
Busy in Retirement: Logan Couple is 'Meals on Wheels'
LOGAN, UTAH -- A recent study found that over-achievers die after
retirement if they don't find something to keep them busy. Retired
mail carrier, Rex Thompson and his wife, Edna can expect to live a
long time.
The Thompsons worked at the Logan LDS Temple for several years
following Rex's retirement, but they decided they wanted to make a
contribution to their community as well as their church. "President
Hinckley said we don't do enough service, and we need to do more,"
said Edna, who worked as a stay-at-home mother of five children.
"We'd done a lot of service, but it was all to the church. We wanted
to get involved with the community, too."
Once a week the couple delivers hot meals to about 23 Cache Valley
residents who live alone and aren't able to get out much on their
own. They drive a delivery truck with a heater to keep the meals hot
and a cooler for salads and other cold items. "There are meals for
people with diabetes, low-salt meals, low-cholesterol meals; one
woman has asked for no fish. People are all different," Rex said.
"We do a home check, to make sure the people are home and they don't
need any help from the folks back at the office," Rex said. "Mostly
we're just in and out, unless we need to cheer somebody up. One lady
was kind of down at Christmastime, and I said 'shall I get us some
booze?' She laughed and said if I got some booze, she'd go put a
ribbon in her hair. She said 'all my life I've been hearing that
booze will cheer you up, but I didn't know just talking about it
would have the same effect!'"
Rex slowed down long enough to recover from heart surgery, but he was
back as soon as his doctor said he was OK to drive.
Source:
Logan couple delivers meals and cheer
Logan UT Herald Journal 9Jul01 P2
By Sally H. N. Wright
Edna and Rex Thompson deliver meals on wheels
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