Sunday, June 01, 2014

The Greatest Generation

She is small and wrinkled like a blonde raisen, with dark button eyes intense in their observation of those heads close to hers.  There is a small permanent smile on the 87-year-old face.  And she has shrunk again this year becoming more like a house mouse.

I move gently around her, afraid I might break that fragile frame with a bump.  She moves with less care and faster than one expects through the crowd of our peers.  She earned her first college degree the year I was born which intimidates me in no small way.  What magic I wish I had to have seen the fire in those intense eyes when she was 20.

She also brings something tremendously delicious to each meeting.  Something that tastes as if it came from an award winning European bakery.  Something with chocolate and buttercream and that has more calories than she carries in that tiny body, and yet, she dares to call herself a nutritionist!

She approaches me with a miniscule frown between her brows and takes a deep breath before she thrusts the paper beneath my nose and begins her questions and critical comments and barely waits for my response to each.  Then without pause she turns toward her next victim and throws a smile over her shoulder as she comments, "Well, just so you understand for next time!" and she shuffles on.  I would lose in a debate with her hands down.

She has three beautiful daughters who are leaders in their own great generations and all stand a head above her as if they were well-selected hybrids of her gene pool.  Had she been born in Germany during the great war, her gene pool would have been ended on her way to synagogue.  None of us would have felt her ripples on the water of the community she graces.

Last week she won a prestigious award for the giving of her time.  Her mother and grandmother lived to 103, so she is not done yet!

17 comments:

  1. Some people have the genes.

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  2. I have known her too and my friend lived to 101. We have rare treasures in meeting these women.

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  3. Sounds like a very neat lady. It's great to be that age and still able to be independent and productive.

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  4. Wonderful that she is still so active!

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  5. A beautiful and moving essay. You are such a good writer!

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  6. I want to know more!

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  7. Very inspiring. When I'm her age I'll probably be wearing my underwear on my head.

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  8. Oh, what a lovely portrait. :)

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  9. That is so fabulous. I love it. I love seeing people in their 80s and 90s who are completely with it and self sufficient. It always blows me away. Unbelievable. Especially since losing my dad (and FIL) to Alzheimer's. Seeing older people full of life, living life to the fullest just fills me with happiness.
    One of our neighbors up north (at our cabin) is in his 90s and is just amazing. Still chops all of his own wood, drives, goes fishing, walks all over, and lives alone (since his wife died a few years ago). He is extraordinary.
    Thank you for sharing this story. It made me smile.

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  10. Thank you for this wonderful post!





    ALOHA from Honolulu
    ComfortSpiral
    =^..^=

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  11. Your story reminded me of my Mom -who lived til she was 91, and my inlaws (Mom Adams lived til she was 91 and Dad Adams lived til he was 101)... They were from a GREAT generation.. It was a generation of proud people who worked hard and worked as many jobs as possible in order to provide the best lives possible for their families. They would NEVER think of asking the government (or anyone) for a handout...

    You asked about dividing the irises.. About 99% of the time when we divide them, we give them away... Wish you lived closer!!! We'd share... We are just out of room in our yard (sunny areas) for many more...

    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  12. This gave me goosebumps. I'd love to meet her. I hope someone did a story for the paper.

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  13. This reads beautifully the second time too. I cannot imagine you being intimidated by anyone. :)

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  14. She sounds like a formidable old lady. I always think that when someone intelligent lives to a ripe old age - and they don’t fall ill mentally - they become indomitable and almost scary in their determination and self-belief.

    Long may she rule her particular roost.

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  15. An inspiration for us all!

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Take your time...take a deep breath...then hit me with your best shot.