For this observation assignment I chose to observe Doris. Doris is a seventy-six year old volunteer at the daycare where I work. I observed Doris for ten weeks and spoke with her on many occasions. Doris lost her husband fourteen years ago after a short illness. The anniversary of his passing is approaching just days after Thanksgiving. When we started talking about him, I noticed the change in Doris's behavior. He is still grieving this loss. His three children are grown and married with children of their own. They all live far away from her. Two daughters live in Colorado and one son lives in New Jersey. Doris recently underwent surgery on her arm and both daughters came to help her during her recovery. According to Penick, “Adlerian theory emphasizes that commitment, purpose, and meaning could, in themselves, provide useful perspectives on the needs and healthy development of older people” (2004, p.5). She is very determined to be self-sufficient and does not like to accept help from anyone else. She has neighbors who do their best to help her with yard maintenance and basic maintenance of her home. Doris still lives in the house she shared with her husband. They had been married for thirty-five years before his death. Watching her interact with the children, I saw how much her volunteer work means to her. He comes every week. During this time he will play, feed and rock the babies. She started volunteering a few years after her husband's passing, outside of this volunteering; Doris does not regularly socialize with others in her age group. The holidays are a difficult time for Doris, not only because of the passing of her husband, but also because of her chi...... middle of paper...... 2013, p. 600) To continue her role as a grandfather and parent to an adult child, Doris has overcome her fear of technology to remain active within her family. Works Cited Ashford, J., & Lecroy, C. (2013). Human behavior in the social environment. (Fifth ed., p. 99, 600). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole.Cappeliez, P. (2008). An explanation of increased reminiscence in older adults' dreams in terms of life goals and identity. Self and Identity, 7(1), 25-33. doi:10.1080/15298860600934281Li, Y. (2007). Recovering from marital bereavement in later life: Does voluntary participation have a role?. Series B Gerontology Journals: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 62B(4), S257-66Penick, J.M. (2004). Purposeful aging: Teleological perspectives on the development of social interest in late adulthood. Journal of Individual Psychology, 60(3), 219-233.