JUDY WOODRUFF: Tonight's Brief But Spectacular
comes from Lucile Day of Greenville, Florida. A town of 800 people, 33 percent of Greenville
residents live below the poverty line. But even amid hard times, Day remains optimistic
about the sense of community that has prevailed. We thought her spirit and wisdom would be
welcome after a very unsettling week and day of news. LUCILE DAY, Greenville, Florida: As a child,
I went to a segregated school. My reaction has always been to feel sorry
for the person who is discriminating against somebody. I felt that they were missing something in
their lives. I would always try, well, why is that person
feeling that way? Well, what's wrong? I feel so sorry for that person. He can't get it right. That's just my reaction. I don't mind telling you how old I am. I am so proud to be 85. I live in Greenville, Florida. The land that I'm living on, we moved here
in 1939. I was 5 years old. My grandparents planted this garlic, so you
know it's been here a very long time. I enjoy working in the garden, watching things
grow. This is where I get plenty of exercise. I feel at least 16 years old. I get around as I always did. I'm able to drive places and climb places. This is where the fun stuff -- I call this
area my backyard spa. You can choose your own exercise equipment. And should you want to cut some logs, I have,
and will show you how to use my chain saw. But best of all is seeing the smiles on people's
face when I give them my veggies. This is part of my breakfast foods. (LAUGHTER) MAN: Can we try one? LUCILE DAY: Yes. You're welcome. Don't have really, really worries. I know where to take my worries. I do have some concerns. I'm concerned about our young people. One night, I was I in bed reading. I heard a click coming from the carport, went
to the door, turned on the light. Lo and behold, there was a familiar face looking
at me. This is the side of the car the young man
was trying to get into. And when I flipped on the light, he kind of
dodged that way. I went out and talked to that familiar face. You know you have done something wrong, and
that's not the way you were raised. We don't do that to each other. I gave him an opportunity to jump the fence
and leave, because I could see that this young man needed a change. He still calls me. And to this day, I have never told anyone
his name. Mothers would ask: Was it my son? Was it my son? I'm not telling. I'm not telling. Still don't tell. My work ethics have come from my grandparents,
my family, and my community, which I call the village. If you're going to do something, then do it
right. If there is a secret to aging, this is it:
Do the best you can when you can. Treat your body and your mind right. Treat other people like you want to be treated
and enjoy life. My theory is, many times, we already have
what we are seeking for if we just look within. My name is Lucile Day. This is my Brief But Spectacular take on the
joy of living. JUDY WOODRUFF: And, boy, did we need to hear
that. Thank you, Lucile. And you can find all our Brief But Spectacular
segments online at PBS.org/NewsHour/Brief.
