... live virtuously, with honesty and integrity.
Shirley Frauenholtz
For West Liberty resident Shirley Frauenholtz, some of the most poignant words of advice she ever received came from a friend. Frauenholtz, 72, attends a Christian fellowship group for an hour a week at Simpson Nursing Home. That's where she met Wanda Elder, 90. Being around Elder has changed her life, she said.
"She said one day, 'Choose carefully how you live your life, as it may be the only Bible some people will ever read,'" Frauenholtz said. "I think it kind of made me think about the life I live and want to live."
Frauenholtz said she can't explain why the words have so much meaning for her or why Elder - whom she just met not long ago - has had such an impact on her.
"It just struck a chord with me, I think," she said. "She's just got the most wonderful outlook on life. She's just such a kind person."
Frauenholtz said she hopes she has taught the people in her life to live virtuously and with honesty and integrity.
"I think you should live your life with the values that you can pass to your children and grandchildren so they can look up to you," she said. "I think it should be practiced in your everyday lives."
Frauenholtz said being a good parent is one way people can have a big impact on their legacy, if they choose to have children.
After her son was born, her mother came to stay with her a week. When it was time for her mother to leave, Frauenholtz said she remembers exactly what she said.
"She stopped at the gate and turned to me and said, 'Shirley, a good mother has to have all the patience in the world,"' she said. "Children need your love and patience the most when they are acting up and being the least loveable."
But, Frauenholtz said, being an example to someone else means being OK with making mistakes.
"Everyone can have a weakness," she said. "No one lives a perfect life. Sometimes we get too critical of other people's lives. We're not the judge."
— Kathryn Fiegen
