We visited our kids and grandkids last weekend in Maryland. On the way home Lynnda read me excerpts of a memoir, “Doctor Miriam” written by Miriam Daly, MD.

Dr. Daly was a mentor for Lynnda beginning when she was a candy striper (hospital volunteer) at age 15 in Albion, Michigan. Lynnda wanted to become a nurse. Dr. Miriam’s husband, Hal, was Lynnda’s family’s doctor. Dr. Hal became our family doctor after Lynnda and I were married. Dr. Miriam was our oldest son’s doctor when he was an infant until we moved to Ohio.

Doctor Hal died years ago. Dr. Miriam still lives in Albion and is 97 years old. She finished writing her memoir and had it published in 2022. It is full of informative, humorous and provocative stories. Writing a book takes a lot of work and time. I think it is remarkable Dr. Miriam chose to take on this project in her late 90s. Encouraged by her children, she wrote down her life’s stores. They helped her to put them together into a coherent book. Reading the book, Dr. Miriam’s purpose in life was to be a doctor and help people. She still has purpose, a reason to live in her 90s. Writing this book is part of her life’s purpose. Dr. Miriam has made a positive difference in the lives of many people because of her life’s purpose. Her book entertains and informs.

I believe we are here for a reason. What is your purpose? All of us have special gifts and talents. What are yours?

Sometimes it takes years to determine this. Many times others see our gifts and talents before we do. How can we use our gifts and talents to make the world a better place?

As a young engineer I remember two managers who were getting close to retirement. Their only plan for retirement was to play golf. I knew both pretty well. I was surprised neither had any other goals or purposes other than playing golf. They had years of knowledge and life experiences to share. Golf is a great sport. I enjoy playing golf, especially with friends and family. But there is lot more to life than golf.

Imagine being in a management position where you have power. You can hire and fire people. You make major decisions. People are constantly asking you for approval or advice. You have spent an average of 60 hours a week at work for 30 or 40 years. Even your wife is used to you being away from home. Suddenly you retire. Your power is gone. No one cares what you think. Your wife is used to you being away from home and now you are in the way. You are playing more golf, but the friends you usually play with are at work. No one needs you.

Both men were in good health. Sadly, both were dead in six months after they retired. When they retired they lost something they didn’t realize they needed – purpose. I believe we need to be useful. Purpose gives us a reason to get out of bed.

What are you passionate about? What drives you? Are there things you would do even if no one paid you. It can’t be all about us. Lynnda and I learned a valuable lesson when our youngest son Gregory had a serious health issue at 10 weeks old.

We took him to Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan, for surgery. We were scared. We didn’t know what the outcome would be. We focused on our son and our problems. We were depressed.

After we had been at Children’s Hospital for a few weeks we got to know some of the other children and their families. As bad as Gregory was, there were many children who were in worse shape and had been there for months. I remember “John,” a constantly smiling, pleasant child who had been there over a year. John’s parents couldn’t deal with his problems so they abandoned him. When Lynnda and I began to encourage others and help them with their problems, our problems seemed small. Our attitudes, and our child, got better.

Gregory now has a family of his own with four children. Part of Gregory’s purpose is giving his time to make the community better.

He is very active in the youth soccer organization as a coach and president. This past week Gregory received a leadership award for his service and leadership in the community.

Shale Crescent USA was founded by business and community leaders in the Parkersburg- Marietta area who saw the opportunity to use the abundant energy resources in this region to create manufacturing jobs again.

Shortly after I got involved, I was surprised at all the volunteer hours our executive committee members gave to Shale Crescent USA. They all have full-time day jobs as leaders of their own organizations.

The mission of Shale Crescent USA is to bring high-wage jobs back to this region of West Virginia, Ohio and Pennsylvania and to raise the standard of living for the people living here.

In 2017 it looked like a fantasy. Today many jobs have been created; the challenge is finding people.

Wages and opportunities have increased. Companies are working with local community and technical schools to get the trained workers they need. Companies from Europe and Asia have located here. More will be coming. We know from the most recent Shale Crescent USA study, companies can manufacture products here better and cheaper than China.

What is your purpose? You can make a positive difference in people’s lives.

How can you make your community and the world a little better?

No matter who you are or what your circumstances you can do something. Look for ways to help others with their problems. You may find your problems aren’t as bad as you thought.

Greg Kozera, gkozera@shalecrescentusa.com, is the director of marketing and sales for Shale Crescent USA, www.shalecrescentusa.com. He is a professional engineer with a master’s in environmental engineering and over 40 years’ experience in the energy industry. He is a professional speaker and author of four books and numerous published articles.