Life Interview Review
Life Review Interview
Aminata Conteh
Professor Sandra Hill-Williams
SOWK 505 8-18-2012
Introduction
When I saw Ms. Mary Walker, the word “Old” does not even cross my mind. I was very surprised when I found out her age. It seemed strange that a woman of this age could show so much youth, little wrinkles, mobility, and did not cough every ten seconds as an indicator of good health. Identifying her as an individual in the 68 + age range seemed misleading but a glance at her salt and pepper afro provided some proof. A natural inquisitiveness in me wanted to know her secret. Luckily, I was given an assignment that appeared to be perfectly suitable to ask all the right questions-A Life Review. I had seen Ms. Walker several times in my childhood. We attended the same church, I met some of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, but I knew little about her life journey. One day I asked my grandmother to mention to her that I wanted to interview her for an assignment. With the relief of not being let down, my grandmother gave me her contact number the next day. A few days later, I called her to make sure that she was still interested. With the right reply, I scheduled a day when we could meet and have breakfast. That day came on August 10, 2012 at a restaurant called International House of Pancakes (IHOP). She entered the restaurant door free of prosthetic devices- another sign of good health. A woman of African American decent who stood 5’7 wearing a slightly nervous yet cheerful expression greeted me. “It’s nice to see, Aminata. Why haven’t I seen you in church lately?” The answer to her question would result in a bunch of made up excuses. This was the perfect time to redirect and focus on the assignment that brought us together to complete “The Life Review of Ms. Mary Walker”.
Family
Ms. Mary Walker was born on September 25, 1934 in Savannah, Georgia to Joseph and Emma Lou Simmons. She is the youngest and only girl of four children. Shortly
Aminata Conteh
Professor Sandra Hill-Williams
SOWK 505 8-18-2012
Introduction
When I saw Ms. Mary Walker, the word “Old” does not even cross my mind. I was very surprised when I found out her age. It seemed strange that a woman of this age could show so much youth, little wrinkles, mobility, and did not cough every ten seconds as an indicator of good health. Identifying her as an individual in the 68 + age range seemed misleading but a glance at her salt and pepper afro provided some proof. A natural inquisitiveness in me wanted to know her secret. Luckily, I was given an assignment that appeared to be perfectly suitable to ask all the right questions-A Life Review. I had seen Ms. Walker several times in my childhood. We attended the same church, I met some of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, but I knew little about her life journey. One day I asked my grandmother to mention to her that I wanted to interview her for an assignment. With the relief of not being let down, my grandmother gave me her contact number the next day. A few days later, I called her to make sure that she was still interested. With the right reply, I scheduled a day when we could meet and have breakfast. That day came on August 10, 2012 at a restaurant called International House of Pancakes (IHOP). She entered the restaurant door free of prosthetic devices- another sign of good health. A woman of African American decent who stood 5’7 wearing a slightly nervous yet cheerful expression greeted me. “It’s nice to see, Aminata. Why haven’t I seen you in church lately?” The answer to her question would result in a bunch of made up excuses. This was the perfect time to redirect and focus on the assignment that brought us together to complete “The Life Review of Ms. Mary Walker”.
Family
Ms. Mary Walker was born on September 25, 1934 in Savannah, Georgia to Joseph and Emma Lou Simmons. She is the youngest and only girl of four children. Shortly
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