Meet my Aunt Idelle – She’s Living with Purpose!

“This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalms 118:24)

She’s 83. She lives in an apartment for senior citizens. She’s got more life than the energizer bunny.

Meet my aunt, Idelle (Nornes) Bagne.

Nothing is keeping Aunt Idelle from getting the most out of every moment she takes a breath. She’s still serving, teaching, serving, laughing, serving, and helping. Did I say serving?

Here’s her weekly schedule:

~~ She volunteers at the hospital for the terminally ill on Monday mornings.

~~ She leads a devotional on Tuesday mornings.

~~ As president of the tenant’s group, she’s responsible for the social hour every Wednesday afternoon.

~~ And every Monday and Wednesday she leads an exercise class for a group of fabulous women. (Idelle taught health and phy ed for many years.)  Who attends her class?  Not your typical exercise group! You won’t find spandex and athletes. You will find (I’ve changed their names):

  • Gladys, who has a hernia.
  • Margaret, whose left leg doesn’t work real well.
  • Alice, who has frequent dizzy spells.
  • Catherine, who has painful osteoporosis.
  • And Nora, who has plastic arteries in her left leg, an artificial right leg, two kinds of cancer, and is blind.

These women get together twice a week to work on balance, range of motion, and a little bit of strengthening. They take a break between exercises to talk about their families and tell jokes. I think they’re really working on living—physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Aunt Idelle calls them her miracle class.

Living with purpose. Living intentionally. It shows up in so many ways. My Aunt Idelle has found her way of living each moment to its fullest in a small town in northern Minnesota.

How are you showing up today? Are you living like each moment counts?

Rejoice. This is the day the Lord has made.

What would I do if were ten times bolder (my theme for 2010)? I will make sure I’m really living. Every moment. Every day. No excuses.

Would you like a little inspiration from me every day?

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Comments

  1. So glad I found this Gaye. Have you sent this to Idelle? I gave her a box a few years ago and we call it her funeral box. In it, she is putting photos and memorabilia that she wants us all to remember. I think this needs to be in there for sure. I have copied it and can get to her but maybe she already has. You are doing great work! I know it must be very rewarding and hope it is lucrative as well. Wish I were in Mpls to attend your seminar!

  2. Hi, Nancy – I’m so glad you saw this! So true – Aunt Idelle really is amazing. Yes, I sent her a copy. But I think I’ll send her another one for the box. Thanks for your note!

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