Experience counts, so it鈥檚 probably a good idea to listen to Dorscie Paterson.

The 91原创 woman is one of the longest-serving members of the 91原创 Hospice Society, and advocated for years to get a new stand-alone facility built to take care of those in their final days.

She saw that take place in 2005. Then she turned around and continued to advocate for the society, even as they began looking for a bigger facility.

Paterson, who just turned 108, also saw that facility break ground last year.

Living a long life, Paterson said, is about keeping busy and doing good.

鈥淜eep your mind going,鈥� she told the 91原创 Advance Times. 鈥淪tudy. Think. And if you see something that needs help, or you can do something about it, like I did about the hospice, do it! Don鈥檛 stand around. Do it right now. Don鈥檛 sit on your backside and hold your hands.鈥�

Things aren鈥檛 that easy for any of us in these days of the pandemic, including Paterson, who has been bored in her enforced isolation.

It鈥檚 true, a lot of our opportunities to get out and start doing something right now are being somewhat stymied by required social distancing.

But there are still options available, whether it鈥檚 for formal volunteering, or just to reach out to our fellow community members. Whether by Zoom or Skype, or a handwritten letter or card, helping our friends and loved ones know they鈥檙e not alone in this current mess is important.

Few of us are likely to live quite as long as Dorscie Paterson, but that鈥檚 all the more reason not to put off the things we really want to do. Start reading that book, learning a new craft, starting a hobby, going for a run. Write a cheque to a charity, call or text a friend, get outdoors and take a walk.

And do it now.

Don鈥檛 sit on your backside and hold your hands.

鈥� M.C.