Gladys McGinnis Rutt grew up during the years of the Great Depression in rural Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Her competitive spirit served her well during her school years but from adolescence on, her deep desire was to marry her high school sweetheart, live in a cozy white house and have at least six children. Before any of that began she became a registered nurse and worked in a number of nursing environments with a wide variety of assignments, including nursing leadership, well into her seventies. "Peering Into the Past: My Life from Paradise to Fairmount" is her life story from her birth near Paradise, Pennsylvania to her retirement years at Fairmount Homes retirement Community in Farmersville, Pennsylvania. Her family living experiences, including extended family living, and strong Christian faith are described throughout her story.