Wonderful belated birthday celebration last night at Bell's Tavern! The birthday boy enjoyed his beloved citrus salad, while I lit into the toothsome vegetable lasagna with utter appreciation.
More poignant than I'd expected. Ran into several friends who asked after a beloved grannie client. They were sorry to hear that she's basically grounded at the moment, but cheered up hearing it wasn't due to a fall or being hospitalized.
Connection with that dear lady changed their lives. Yes, she was increasingly frail & coped with failing memory challenges, but she shimmers with a love of life, a zest for new experiences & meeting new people, making new friends, that the youngers found irresistible.
Over the five years we headed up to Centre Bridge Inn to hear Barbara Trent's jazz stylings, dinners at Bell's, jaunts down to Philadelphia's Square on Square for great food & cool jazz, many "kids" in their 60s & 70s marveled at how the 90+ year old helped eased them out of & past fears of growing old.
When I started working with Anne, she frequently complained about being useless. I look back over the past five years, at where my life has evolved, and know that I wouldn't be here is she hadn't graced my life. Listening last night to Ray & Carol & others whose faces I know but not their names - I wasn't alone.
My days & nights with Anne might have drawn to their close, but my memories, the memories she's given so many over the years, will be forever sweet & enduring.
No comments:
Post a Comment