The Oakwood woman has been traveling since and urging others to do the same.
“Travel is a great way to get out of your comfort zone,” said Saunders, who has visited 46 countries around the world, many of whom on several occasions. “The general surgeon said that loneliness is an epidemic in this country and that travel widens you. You can make friends in new places.
She should know. Her traveling companions and the people she has met along the way has enriched her life for decades.
To start
When their own children were adolescents, Saunders and her husband, Dr. Richard Baer, began to crisscross the country in an air travel trailer.
“We went to national parks-Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Glacier,” she said. “I think everyone should cross the United States by car. You can’t really know our country by flying over. These are wonderful, fabulous trips. You talk to people in remote regions and find out why they settled in these places. »»
After the death of her first husband at the age of 49, she married her high school darling, Tom Saunders. The two have been disconnected for 30 years.
“He died after only six years of marriage, so I was a widow twice before the age of 52,” said Saunders. “I was single in my life, but it allowed me to take this whole trip.”
From 1986 to 1991, Saunders got involved in people’s trips to people in the Soviet Union through the International Institute of Cross Current. From 1992 to 2007, she was director of volunteer development at Dayton Art Institute for Travel, head of planning and execution of the Art Trek travel program. More than 125 art-oriented trips took participants to art museums, gardens and historic sites across the United States and the world. Often, she linked excursions to an exhibition at the museum.
“So, for example, when we had an Egyptian spectacle, we went to Egypt.”
She said that one of the challenges of making a trip was to face the unexpected. One of his museum trips in the major areas of the Hudson River Valley, New York what to do with the group until we can travel again, “said Saunders. “Although all the historical areas were closed, we discovered that the gift shop and the Café du Culinary Institute of America were open. The group was delighted to go. »»
In 1997, as a founder of Miami Valley Episcopal Russian Network, Saunders helped create a parish partnership with the Russian Orthodox Church in Saint-Nicolas in Sablino, Russia, a poor village 30 miles from Saint Petersburg. The organization, which started at the Episcopal Church St. Pauls, included 11 episcopal churches, the Greek Greek Orthodox and the Orthodox Church of St. Paul’s.
Over a period of 20 years, Saunders visited Russia 20 times. She and other members of her organization transported suitcases of toys and clothing to Russia, sent $ 250,000 in medical supplies to the regional hospital, transformed a dilapidated parish house into a community center for young people and helped to build a new church.
In December 1997, a year after the signing of the Dayton Peace Accords, Saunders was invited to join a historic tour in Sarajevo as part of the first civil trip authorized to go to Bosnia.
“Representing the people of Dayton, we went to see the results of this tragic civil war in the first hand and reach out to people there,” said Saunders who was also an active volunteer at the International Museum of the Peace of Dayton. “We stayed at people’s home. We were warned to stay in the streets and paved sidewalks because the land mines had not yet been completely cleared. »»
She said that dozens of buildings have been destroyed and that most were marked by pocks by ball holes.
“What I learned is that the world is small and becomes smaller with global communication,” she said. “You read the newspaper differently when you have gone to these places and know something about their history and their politics. Our lives become interconnected. I learned that people look so much in the world. We just want to live in peace and friendship and live our life without stress. »»
Saunders benefits from each part of the travel process – planning and anticipation, the journey itself, then, afterwards, the memories and the possibility of reliving experiences.
Help preserving these memories are the memories that surround him in his comfortable living room: Jade and Coisonne from the China silk road, porcelains, pile dolls and Russian wooden service parts, masks d ‘Africa, carpets from Morocco and Finland and India pillows.
“Don’t be afraid to travel,” said Saunders. “You will have a new perspective, discover the culture, food, clothing and music of other traditions. You will grow and become more adaptable ”
She said there are many travel options. “You can go with a tour or an organization. You can visit friends in other cities. You can follow your passion by making a ski trip or a garden visit. Go there while you are mobile and capable. And be curious, travel with an open mind. »»
Other advice
Interesting trips are only one of the “secrets” of Saunders’ longevity. It is suitable with experts that it is important to do a lot of exercise, eat a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables and sleep enough.
“Do not smoke, don’t abuse alcohol, check your doctor regularly and manage your chronic health problems. “”
She is proud to be a “professional volunteer” and has devoted many years of service to organizations ranging from the Philharmonic Orchestra of Dayton and Dayton Council of World Affairs to Planned Parenthood and the Junior League.
She was a Docient at DAI for more than 15 years.
Saunders was honored as one of the women of Dayton Daily News and as an influence woman in YWCA.
More Saunders advice
• Maintain a romantic relationship with your family and cultivate a close social network. Although I am alone most of the time, I am never alone because I have family and friends that I can call at any time.
• Keep your brain active. Read the newspaper. Go to concerts and conferences. Read the right books, play bridge, workwords and take lifelong learning lessons. Collect or search for a subject of interest for you or find a new hobby.
• Maintain a positive attitude towards life. Do not take the easy chair and say that life is over. Engage and adopt new experiences, practice gratitude, set objectives, challenge negative age stereotypes and surround yourself with positive people.
• Research has revealed that the faith and regular attendance of the Church add years to your life but are unable to determine the reason. It may be the feeling of belonging while being with friends regularly.
“Remember, it’s not Or You live, that’s what you do with it.