Life's golden years are to be enjoyed, finally able to bear the fruits of years of labor in the workforce and at home.

While some may believe people of retirement age have only visions of rest and the rocking chair, a Gaffney native is doing her best to avoid a "senior slump."

The farthest thing from her mind when approached during an event 13 years ago, the runway has become a second home for Hellen Littlejohn Stringer, modeling clothes for Sophisticated Silk, a Los Angeles, Calif.,- based women's clothing company.

"Honestly, as a shy person I never in my wildest dreams believed I would ever be doing this," said Stringer, who now resides in California. "You never know what you can do unless you try, and this is something that I have taken a liking to."

A teacher for 34 years before choosing to call it a career, Stringer debuted for Sophisticated Silk in May of 1998 during a show at the Palladium in Los Angeles. Since getting the initial adrenaline rush from her first walk down the runway, she has become one of the more sought after models for the clothing brand's events.

"I was so nervous; I didn't believe there was a runway that long," Stringer said.

Now, it just feels like the world is in my hands."

Prior to her first modeling stint, Stringer would often field questions about whether she was a model.

"She would often be asked if she was a model by her school colleagues," said Stringer's cousin and Gaffney resident Elaine Fields. "At the time though she didn't think anything about it because it was not on her agenda."

However, a chance meeting with Sophisticated Silk's "Mr. Cater" during a teacher's conference in 1997 would alter her plans.

"I didn't pay it any mind at first when ("Mr. Cater") gave me his number," Stringer said. "But he gave me a call back and said he wanted to use me, so I jumped at the opportunity."

Stringer often receives the opportunity to strut her stuff for her church and sorority, with many of the clothing line's shows having a more intimate feel. By year's end, she will have taken part in seven shows in the Los Angeles area, though far from cementing her as a star.

"I'm no big time model by any means," she laughed.

Supermodel or not, Stringer's main drive is to enjoy her golden years, determined to let her life be guided by matters of the heart rather than age.

"God is first in my life, then my family, then my friends. Opportunities come and go, but they may be just what you need to enrich your life," Stringer said. "I want people to realize that no matter our age, we must keep going and do less complaining. It is never too late to do something that will give you joy and satisfaction."