Proof we should live our one life to the fullest

Rick Mauch

Proving that you're never too old to experience something new, 99-year-old Jean Buford actually enjoyed two things she'd never done before on Friday, April 21.

"In my little town (Haskell) we didn't have a prom, no country club, we danced in our own living room," she recalled, adding, "And I certainly had never ridden in a limo before."

She did both, however, on this night at the Parker County Sheriff's Posse Event Center as they celebrated the First Annual Senior Prom & Gala, presented by the Parker County Committee on Aging. It was a night to embrace aging, an evening that reminded us the more advanced we are in age the more we have to celebrate.

I must admit the first time I saw the phrase "YOLO" I wondered if it was a misspelling of the world's most under-appreciated color. Seriously, other than bananas, lemons, and the uniforms for the University of Oregon football team, can you name another regular use for the color yellow. It's not an ugly color, per se — except for those uniforms — but in the world of colors it's the last kid picked for playground hoops.

But YOLO, I learned, means "You only live once." In other words, live this life to the fullest because it won't come around again — with all due respect to those who believe in reincarnation.

And that's exactly what folks were doing on this night. From the youngsters who were helping serve food to the tables to 95-year-old Mary Carlson, who was on the floor teaching those youths — and plenty of us adults — a few dance moves, not having fun was simply not an option.

The evening had plenty of highlights, and among the most notable was the crowning of Jean as prom queen. The World War II Navy WAVES veteran will celebrate her 100th birthday on May 12.

As Miss Texas 1982 Gloria Gilbert Barron was about to place the crown on the head of the queen, Jean said enthusiastically, "You're Miss Texas!"

Without skipping a beat, Gloria quipped back, "You're Miss Prom!"

And what's a prom queen without a prom king? That honor went to 84-year-old Ed Cessna, a 20-year retired Navy veteran.

And while both are seniors, both also spend much of their helping other seniors enjoy a better life. Jean still volunteers her time at nursing facilities every week and enjoys coming to the Parker County Senior Center for fun and fellowship. Ed is always giving back to the Center with any items needed.

Ed's wife, Sue, was in attendance. Jean's husband, Brad, has passed away, but she said he would certainly have enjoyed being there for the event which benefited one of his favorite charities.

"Meals On Wheels is very important. My husband didn't want anybody to go hungry," Jean said.

Neither does the Parker County Committee on Aging, which has provided an activity center as well as Meals on Wheels to the residents of Parker County for more than four decades.

And speaking of wheels, Jean and other senior royalty were delivered to the event and driven home by a limousine.

"I just couldn't figure out how he was going to back out of my driveway," Jean said with a chuckle.

The evening included a live auction and a raffle, along with music from the Joshua Experience. And best of all — well, next to the good time everyone had — it raised around $42,000 to help the Parker County Committee on Aging.

"It was a huge success!" exclaimed Director of Operations Jennifer Bledsoe. "We were so pleased, and we had such wonderful comments from the community."

Including me, as the lovely Mrs. Junell and I had the time of our lives. While we still have a way to go before we catch up to Jean — and we still don't have the energy at our current that Mary has in her mid-90s — we're looking to attending many more of these.

And there will be more, Jennifer said.

"People are already committing and saying they want to be a part of next year," she said, announcing a date of March 22, 2024 at the Springs Event Center in Weatherford.

Well, I know what we'll be doing that night, and I hope we see you there. Mary, no doubt, is already practicing some new dance moves for next year.