Finding joy after a loved one’s death can be as elusive as spotting a unicorn. For Keith Davison, 94, the process of finding joy after his wife’s death came in the form of neighborhood children giggling and splashing in his brand new pool. Keith, who was married for 66 years, told 12 News that he cried a lot because he missed his wife. When he first announced his idea of building an in-ground pool in his Minnesota backyard, people thought Keith was kidding.
Keith has adult children, but no grandchildren. His neighbor, Jessica Huebner, reports that Keith has adopted all the neighborhood children as his own grandchildren. Keith sits in the shade enjoying the children’s joy at being in the pool and then swims on his own after everyone leaves. Keith knows it makes no sense for a 94 year old to build a swimming pool but he retorts, “I’m not sitting by myself looking at the walls”. He is actively finding joy after his loved one’s death.
Grief can be a lonely and isolating experience, especially for seniors who are widowed after a long marriage and don’t have family nearby. Keith was able to find a purpose in his life and joy after his wife’s death by giving back to others. We love his idea of building a swimming pool to bring the neighborhood kids into his realm! It is a lot more creative and potentially more fun than volunteering at a local hospital. (And, don’t worry, he required the parents to stay to lifeguard their own children.)