For This 84-Year-Old Grandma, This Is An Incredible First

Ask Kathy Crouse what retirement means to her and she’ll tell you it’s “continuing to chase a dream.” And that’s exactly what the 84-year-old former car hop did when she wrote and recently recorded her first song this week.

The spritely woman co-wrote “Shining Star” with an administrator of the Charlestown Retirement Community in Maryland, where she moved after her husband’s death five years ago. They had been married for 62 years. Her “partner in crime” is Dean Crawford, a past recipient of the Maryland Music Association’s Songwriter of the Year award.

The pair debuted the number at the retirement community’s fundraiser, accompanied by Crawford’s Dunn’s River Band.

So what is she singing about? The Loretta Lynn-esque song tells the story of Crouse’s relentless ability to overcome life’s challenges ― and how the Lord led her to the Charlestown Retirement Community. Not a bad plug for either!

Here are the lyrics:

When I first moved to Charlestown, my tears they fell like rain

My husband had just passed away and my heart was filled with pain.

I didn’t think that I would make it, or if I’d even smile again

And then I called out to the heavens, to my father, my one true friend.

Chorus:

Lord help me father, I am all alone, in this great big mansion that so many call their home.

And He reached down and touched me; He said I’m always around

And I’m right here beside you, in this place called Charlestown

Pretty soon there was a ray of light and I was no longer sad and blue

And I found that many people were loving what I do.

I play the piano and sing my songs for everyone around

Now everybody knows my name in this place they call Charlestown

Thank you father, for leading me here, to a place where I belong where so many people that care.

I’ve lived up to your calling and I’ll be ready when you are

But till then I will keep on singing and being a Charlestown Star

Maybe one day I’ll see my name, on the Charlestown walk of fame.