While in her Chehalis apartment, Eileen Bliss, 74, retrieved a phonebook-sized copy of the Bible from her bedroom. A small medallion etched with “CTR” hangs near the book's spine, short for “Choose the right.”
The phrase reminds Bliss that people can always make the right choice, no matter what.
“God gave us choices, and we can choose to let it destroy us or we can choose to build," she said. "And I’m building.”
It’s a faith tested year after year, but throughout, Bliss never wavered.
Born in Seattle and raised in Tacoma by an adoptive family, Bliss bounced around Western Washington for over seven decades, spending the last 24 years in Lewis County. Regardless of where she’s lived, Bliss’s belief that things will get better has served as a throughline.
“I tell God thank you every day for it,” she said. “I’m thankful, thankful, thankful for everything.”
This year, Bliss is among 39 residents on the Lewis-Mason-Thurston Area Agency on Aging’s annual “Wish List,” which allows community members to help their neighbors down on their luck. The Chronicle publishes the list each Thanksgiving through a partnership with the agency.
“I love the Wish List,” said Marla Lund, Lewis-Mason-Thurston Area Agency on Aging (LMTAAA) information and assistance specialist. “I think our community is so generous, and I appreciate that.”
Throughout a roughly hour-long interview last week, Bliss praised the LMTAAA, and the other agencies that have helped her get back on her feet.
“They gave me hope again,” she said. “People were good. And so was God.”
It’s a life Bliss couldn’t have imagined roughly two years ago when a fire destroyed the house she had called home for 14 years. The life-altering moment wasn’t one Bliss ever envisioned.
The blaze destroyed essentials, such as her oxygen tank, hearing aid and ID. The only material items that survived were the clothes on her back, though Bliss’ faith remained unscathed.
“It was the strangest, horrific, devastating … I was lost,” Bliss said. “I didn’t even get out with a pair of shoes.”
Homeless for roughly eight months following the fire, Bliss bounced from neighbor’s couches to motels. She then moved to an RV Park, into a room that “was no bigger than a closet,” as she slowly tried to rebuild her life.
While experiencing homelessness, Bliss remained confident things would change, saying the journey “has been a spiritual trip for me … God is awesome.”
“And he didn’t want me to live under a bridge, but he could have,” Bliss said.
Last year, she moved into her new apartment sight unseen. Now warmly decorated with plants, paintings and her chinchilla Edith, Bliss remembers when it became hers.
It was the basics that stood out.
“The day that I came to the apartment,” Bliss said, “I moved in that day, and I had a bed.”
Over time, she’s built up a comfortable space to call home, decorated with plants, paintings, hobbies, a bookshelf and the other furnishings some might take for granted. Sitting on her couch, Bliss reflected on the journey that led her to this point.
“It’s downright scary out here all by yourself. You got all of these little questions that want to sneak in. You have to deal with them,” Bliss said. “I close the door on it. That’s why I’ve got my hobbies ... I keep busy.”
Her hobbies include art and reading, with crochet and coloring books among her favorites. Deeply religious, Bliss has a few requests for holiday gifts, including a new Bible.
“I’ve got this big, heavy Bible,” said Bliss, who reads the Bible every night. “If I had a smaller Bible, it wouldn’t hurt my wrists.”
Other requests, such as a foot soaker or new clothes, are just a few clicks and two to three delivery days away. However, some requests can’t be purchased.
“I’m the only Baptist that’s never been baptized,” she said. “I’m ready, but I don’t feel like I have the right to barge into church.”
While technology can be a challenge, Bliss, an avid reader, said she’d also love to join another Bible study group.
Sitting in a fully furnished apartment, Bliss encouraged others going through struggles in their life to keep a positive mindset.
“Don’t ever give up,” she said.
She also had advice for the next generation.
“Surrender your life totally to God,” Bliss said. “And pray for our neighbors and our enemies. We’re all on the same page, I just happen to be older.”
According to the LMTAAA, the annual program will run a bit differently this year. The agency will purchase gift cards for clients such as Bliss, who can then buy the holiday wish items of their choice. In the past, the agency has looked to fill specific requests for items.
The funds will be pooled, meaning each gift card will be worth more the more is donated.
Donations are tax-deductible and will be accepted through Tuesday, Dec. 5. Donations can be mailed to the LMTAAA’s Olympia office at 2404 Heritage Ct. SW, Olympia, WA, 98502, and checks should include “Light of Hope” in the memo. Donations can also be dropped off on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., or by appointment, through Dec. 5 at 1651 S. Market Blvd. in Chehalis.
Donations can be made online at https://www.lmtaaa.org/LOH.
This year’s Wish List includes a total of 39 clients:
• This client is in her 70s and lives alone on a very limited income. She is an avid reader and the town where she lives does not pay into the Timberland Library system. For the client to use the library, she would have to pay $100 a year and that is not possible with her budget. She will use her holiday gift card to subscribe to join the Timberland Library system.
• This client is in her mid-70s and lives in her own home. She enjoys the sense of community in her small town, is known to care for the neighborhood cats, and has adopted her late sibling’s cat. She was a Master Gardener and while chronic health conditions have limited most outdoor time, her home reflects her joy of plants. She will use her gift card to purchase some nutritious food to better meet her dietary needs and some treats for the cats.
• This client is a grandma in her early 60s raising her 8-year-old grandson with no help from the grandson’s parents. She enjoys art but has not done art for a while because of stress about paying all the bills. Her grandson loves football and all outdoor activities. She will use her gift card to purchase new clothes and shoes for her grandson.
• This client is in her early 80s and lives alone without family assistance on a limited income. Client has had recent changes in her physical health and does not have clothing that fits comfortably. She will use her holiday gift card to purchase some new clothing.
• This client is a woman in her mid-60s who is wheelchair-bound. She lives alone on a very limited income and has a very tight budget, with no wiggle room for purchases outside of bills, food and household items. She will use her holiday gift card to purchase items for herself that she would not otherwise be able to afford.
• This client is in her mid-70s and lives alone in her own home. Even with her many chronic medical conditions, she manages to stay positive and partake in the things that bring her joy. She loves spending time with her family, watching TV, and doing puzzles. She will use her holiday gift card to buy herself some new winter clothes, and stock up on food for the house.
• This client is in her mid-70s and lives with her partner on very little income. She is an amazing painter, but medical conditions and hand surgeries have impacted her ability to continue painting. With her holiday gift card, she would love to purchase new bedding and some personal hygiene products.
• This client is quadriplegic, in her mid-60s, and lives alone with her pet finches. Despite her physical limitations, watching and interacting with her birds brings her hours of entertainment and joy. She will use her holiday gift card to make some changes to the bird cage setup and to be able to get food and supplies for her babies.
• This client is a widow in her early 70s who is currently living in an RV with a space heater and no running water. She has no local family and a very limited income. She relies on her caregiver for companionship and assistance. With her holiday gift card, she will buy some new clothes, a new pair of shoes, a warm coat, and maybe even a new blanket.
• This client is in her mid-40s and experienced homelessness this year. She has worked hard to secure a new apartment and moved in at the beginning of November. She has a limited income and will use her holiday gift card to purchase items needed for her new apartment.
• This client is in her late 80s and lives alone without local family support. She enjoyed raising her family and later cared for her spouse who had dementia. She has chronic pain but tries her best to not let it limit her. She will use her holiday card to purchase a small countertop icemaker, as her favorite drinks are lemonade and iced tea and she can’t lift bags of ice, nor does she have freezer space.
• This client is in her 60s and lives with her service animal, Max. She has no family in the area and struggles with many chronic medical conditions. She will user her holiday gift card to purchase new bedding, and some doggie treats for Max.
• This client is in her 60s and lives alone with her one dog after sadly losing her other dog earlier this year. She enjoys watching the animals outside of her window and watching TV with her dog. She will use her holiday gift card to purchase some goodies for her dog as well as basic household items for herself.
• This client is in her 60s and lives alone with her dog. She does not have any family in the area. She used to enjoy being crafty before losing most of her fine motor control and still enjoys listening to music, hanging out with her dog and being surrounded by her plants, which she created out of paper and other craft materials. She will use her holiday gift card to purchase some basic household items, new winter clothes, and some treats for her dog.
• This client is in her late 70s and lives alone on a limited income. She has no local family and enjoys watching TV and talking with her caregivers, who provide both assistance and companionship. She will use her holiday gift card to purchase some new clothes and household supplies.
• This client is in her 60s and lives alone with her dog for companionship. She enjoys spending time with her dog and watching her favorite TV shows. Her request is for a gift card so that she can purchase some treats for her dog as well as get some basic clothing items.
• This client is in her early 70s and lives alone. She has no family in this state and relies on her caregivers for companionship. She loves to read and is hoping to improve her mobility over the next year. She will use her holiday gift card to purchase a few things for her home that would improve her daily living, and maybe even decorate for Christmas.
• This client is in her mid-30s and has limited use of her hands and arms. She lives with her teenage children and husband in an RV trailer. She relies on her family for assistance and support. The family makes sure the children’s clothes are clean, but due to a limited income, they sometimes go months without the ability to wash every family member’s clothing. Her husband only has one pair of logger pants for work. She will use her holiday gift card to purchase a second pair of logger pants for her husband.
• This client is in his 70s and recently became bedridden with very limited mobility. When asked what would make him happy this holiday season, he explained that all he wanted was a big, delicious holiday meal. He will use his holiday gift card to purchase this meal.
• This client is in her late 50s and worked as a caregiver most of her life. Her partner passed away this year, but she is staying strong for her family. She will use her holiday gift card to purchase a warm, fuzzy blanket, and clothing and a PlayStation game for her child.
• This client is in her 70s and lives alone. She enjoys arranging flowers, decorating, and cooking, but is unable to stand in her kitchen while doing so. She will use her holiday gift card to purchase a stool that she can sit on while chopping vegetables for her crock pot or for accessing her microwave.
• This client is in his mid-50s, has learning disabilities, and lives alone. He enjoys comic books and receiving support from his caregiver. He will use his holiday gift card to purchase groceries to prepare a holiday meal.
• This client is in his 60s and lives on his own with limited support. While he is no longer able to enjoy dancing, he still enjoys listening to music. His limited income makes it hard for him to meet his basic needs. He will use his holiday gift card to purchase a blender, sweatpants, warm socks, and food storage containers.
• This client is in her 70s and lives alone with her dog and cat. She has no family and a very limited income. She relies on her professional caregiver for companionship and assistance. With her holiday gift card, she will purchase some special items for a holiday meal and flea medication for her dog and cat.
• This client is in her mid-70s and lives on her own in a trailer. Her water heater went out several months ago and she has been saving to buy a new one, but because of her limited income, she has not been able to afford one yet. She would really like to have hot water now that it’s winter and will use her holiday gift card to contribute to the purchase of a new water heater for her home.
• This client is in her late 50s living in a fifth wheel RV with significant physical limitations. She has an indoor cat and loves to crochet. She will use her holiday gift card to buy needed household items and food.
• This client is in his late 50s and lives alone with no family in the area. He recently lost his caregiver and was hospitalized. He now faces recovery from a new serious diagnosis without the companionship that his previous caregiver provided. He will use his holiday gift card to purchase some new slippers and some flannel shirts to keep warm and put a smile on his face again.
• This client is in her early 60s and lives in her own home with her cats. She has many health issues that cause her pain and limit her mobility. She especially enjoys arts and crafts. She will use her holiday gift card to buy supplies for her cats, books, and music.
• This client is in his 60s and lives at home with his 2 pups. Despite many physical and mental limitations, he loves taking photos, looking at photography, and watching football on Sundays. With his holiday gift card, he will purchase some new clothes, food for the house, and maybe even some dog treats.
• This client is in her 50s and lives alone with her cat, who is her primary source of companionship. She has some ongoing medical needs that resulted in recent repeat hospitalizations. With her holiday gift card, she will purchase cat and basic household supplies.
• This client is wheelchair bound in her 80s and lives alone on very little income. She is appreciative of any help she can receive and will use her holiday gift card to purchase needed items for her home, such a basic cleaning supplies and grocery items.
• This client is in his 40s and has come a long way from homelessness to now living in shared housing. He doesn’t have any family support in the area and struggles to cover his basic needs month to month. He would buy new clothing and a jacket for himself for the coming cold season.
• This client is in her 50s and lives alone without any outside support. She struggles every month buying household items and often must go without basic things or choose between them. She would use the gift card to stock up on household items.
• This client is in his 70s and lives alone without any outside support. His closest companion is his dog, who is always by his side. His dog has been sick lately and it has created extra financial pressure on him to make sure he is getting proper care for his dog. He would benefit from assistance to get groceries for himself and supplies for his dog.
• This client is in her 70s and suffered a big loss when her trailer caught fire and burned down. She is now in an apartment, but still has not been able to get back everything she lost from the fire. She does not have any family around for support. Getting more household items from her apartment and stocking up on food for her cat would make her feel more at home.
• This client is in her early 40s and lives alone in her travel trailer with no current income. She had to leave behind many of her belongings when she moved to Washington. She will use her holiday gift card to purchase needed clothing, toiletries, and personal hygiene products.
• This client is in her early 60s and recently moved into a new apartment to get out of a bad situation. She lives with her cat who keeps her going every day. She will use her holiday gift card to purchase her cat food and supplies. She had to leave a lot of clothes behind, so she will also purchase much needed clothing and a blanket to keep her warm.
• This client is a man in his late 60s who lives in a bedroom in communal housing where they all pay rent for their rooms. He will use his holiday gift card to purchase a blanket to keep warm in winter and a rain jacket to use while out on his electrical wheelchair.
• This client is a woman in her 50s who lives with her niece. She assists with caring for and feeding cats that are from a rescue in her neighborhood that closed. She will use her holiday gift card to purchase cat food and personal hygiene products for herself.
