My life would be easier if…

It came equipped with a rewind button.

My first kiss was…

October 5, 1963; St. Anthony’s hospital; Michigan City, Indiana. Had to be my dad.

What celebrity crushes did you have as a teenager?

Paul Simon, Gene Wilder, J.D. Salinger.… It’s a wonder that I married a younger man.

What’s your favorite item in your wardrobe and why?

My black Harley boots. I don’t ride a motorcycle and prefer wearing them with skirts. In my small town, it keeps people wondering, and I love that.

What are you most proud of?

A year and a half after becoming a runner, at age 39, I completed the Chicago Marathon and raised over $6,000 for the Arthritis Foundation.

What’s the one thing about your younger self that you’d like to reclaim?

The ability to put my forehead on my knees.

What’s something that no one knows about you?

I’d love to have some mystery about me, but unfortunately everyone who knows me has just about heard it all.

The big decision I'm currently wrestling with is...

Should I try to find a new career path or keep enjoying my free time? There’s no financial need for a second income, but my strong work ethic gives me fits of guilt. And if I did go back to work, the money could help us retire earlier.

Your Turn

To read more about Lorraine's big decision, offer advice and see what others have shared, or request a questionnaire so you can be considered for a future Real Life column, go to the Real Life Community Area.