with Paula Pugh
Once the necessity of having to make money to support your life has been achieved, a person has the time to live each day according to his values.
To Cecil Monson, this month’s Hometown Hero, those values are family and community. As a Boy Scout leader for many years, he believes in “leaving your campsite better than you found it.”
Monson retired from work as a chief accountant 30 years ago at age 63. He and his wife, Alyce, came out to Whidbey Island in their travel trailer to help their daughter and son-in-law renovate an old log home and to help with the new grandchild.
“We fell in love with this community,” Monson said.
They purchased a one-story retirement home and settled in for the second half of life. They then began looking for volunteer opportunities.
“I soon became aware that there was a need for service in the finance end of many local nonprofit organizations here,” Monson said. “Alyce and I both found we could also be of use in other volunteer areas.”
Vern Olsen, the Monsons’ son-in-law, said Monson could have retired and rested on the accomplishments of the first half of his life.
“But that’s not Cec,” Olsen said. “I read in The Seattle Times the other day that no one remembers a halftime score. Cec’s life didn’t end with the first half. His final score is going to be quite impressive.”
Monson takes his volunteer work as seriously as he did his paid work.
“Dad is conscientious, dependable and dedicated,” said eldest daughter Mary Alice Kois. “For example, when one of his adult literacy students became incarcerated, Dad went right on continuing the weekly lessons in jail.”
When asked what the student was incarcerated for, Monson answered, “Oh, I don’t know; I never asked.”
Barbara Read, who is in a writers group with Monson, said it was he who inspired her to write her life story.
“I look forward to each of Cecil’s monthly articles in The Senior News, called ‘Do You Remember.’ Cecil is articulate, intelligent and compassionate,” Read said.
Monson said he writes these articles in the hope it will help seniors remember stories in their own lives. He has also written his memoirs, dedicating them to his wife and their great-grandchildren.
“The great-grandchildren are the ones who don’t know Alyce or me,” Monson said. “To them we’re probably old and doddering — can’t see, can’t hear, walk too slow, talk too slow. I’m letting them know we had lives, and some of it might be interesting.”
His two volumes of memoirs are titled “My Life as I Saw It” and “Essays on About Practically Everything.” Monson writes these all on his computer. He embraces society’s changes and new ideas, he says.
Has age and health stopped the Monsons from pursuing some of their activities?
“Of course,” Monson said. In the past few years, their lives have been much about letting go.
“For example, I have given up my community board positions, to give way to younger, more energetic people,” Monson said. “I have limited my driving, so I won’t be a hazard on the road. I have had to let go of many of my hobbies. Recently Alyce and I have had to admit we need help, and need a part-time caregiver.
“Do I miss some of the independence, and being on community boards? Of course I do, but there comes a time in our lives when we must let go and let others take over. We know full well our curtain may fall at any time, and we are ready and accepting of it.”
Until that final hour, or until he is limited physically, Cec Monson plans to make good use of every day.
On Fridays, for instance, “Cecil cavorts to the music of the Fun Band,” said Margaret Scehovic, Bayview Senior Center activities director. “Often he dances with a lady on each arm. He has an infectious smile, and is every inch the gentleman. He is a treasure.”
Gertrude Gibbs, 98, said Monson welcomed her right away at the Fun Band dance.
“He makes sure no one feels like a wallflower,” Gibbs said. “We need more people like him.”
He is a man with a continued zest for life. At an age when most of us might think we’re just getting older, Monson is getting better.
