Driving some friends in need today I realized that all the persons I drive are younger than me. The problem is they either are too ill to drive or do not have a car, and public transportation is terrible in Milwaukee. One friend I drove to a doctor’s appointment the other day takes a few courses at a local university. For a one hour class she needs to spend four hours on a bus or waiting for the bus. The bus line she depends on to go to school has been reduced to only two buses. The doctor’s appointment was at a place where she would need to take a bus and walk about 40–50 blocks to get to it.

One friend, younger than me, whom I drove home from a prayer vigil for another homicide victim, told me about the high cost of the cab services that are supposed to be targeted for the elderly and ill. The cost is more than poor persons can afford, and the service is not very efficient. This friend has 18 diagnosed illnesses yet still is active in groups like Mothers Against Gun Violence and the DMZ Community Garden. The blessings of God keep her going, serving the needs of others.

I mentioned that these persons and others I help by driving are younger than me, for today I heard from someone I was soliciting to get involved in a political human rights issue I am working on. This person, who is still active at work responded: “Thanks for your invitation to join you but I am busy on many projects and causes and in my 80th year of life I am slow to expand.”

I am only 67 and trying to be “slow to expand”. Yet the needs of my younger friends are growing. Hopefully I can keep driving and stay young and active until I am 80.

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