One of my favourite summer reads, was a book called "Water For Elephants". The narrator is a 93 year old man, frustrated with his life in a nursing home after spending an exciting life working with the circus. It reflects the way many of our seniors feel about their lives when they sense (real or imagined) that they have passed their best by date and are of no use to anyone, including themselves. It also reflects the way we sometimes treat our seniors...impatience, frustration, sadness and even a bit of anger, that the once vibrant souls in our lives are not what they once were. Perhaps it is even a bit of fear about our own future and decline. We all know the alternative to living a long life and we don't like that any more than we do the deterioration. The book ends in an startling way when the gentleman has an opportunity to change his life dramatically. Imagine my delight when I learned of someone I know who is doing the very same thing. Here is the story.
I have a friend named Margaret. She has been my friend since we were in our early teens and she and her husband are the friends who organized and invited us to join them on fabulous trips in various parts of the world. Margaret's mother Mildred was one of my mother's best friends and after a full and rich life, she passed away many years ago at age 94. Mildred's sister Edna is 98 and still with us. She lives in her home in Guelph and has 24 hour care by workers who are good to her and considered friends.
Over the past few years, Edna was ill to the point of no return, or so we thought. There were times when Margaret and Eric were uncertain if they would be travelling with us, that's how bad it was. Edna's wonderful husband Jake, always cared for Edna and loved her so much that he cared for her as one would a delicate flower...doing everything for her and loving her to bits. The stunning news reached us in Uruguay last year, that Jake passed away very quickly. What on earth would Edna do without him? Margaret and her family spent most of their time in Guelph, taking care of business and doing all they could to ensure she would be cared for in the very best way possible. Little by little, Edna grew stronger and by this spring, she and one of her friend-caregivers, flew to Bermuda for a week. She walks every day and is actually enjoying life as she has not for many years.
A few weeks ago, Margaret emailed me to say that the most wonderful and shocking event took place. Edna and her caregiver were taking a walk along her street when they encountered a man in his driveway. Edna stopped and began to chat with him and commented on his beautiful motorcycle. He said "Would you like to go for a ride?"....and she did! At 98 years of age, she got on the bike and off they went and here she is!! Reinvention! Why not?? When Margaret sent the photo, she added "She has even taken to smoking the odd cigar!" Good on you Edna!! Margaret, thanks for sharing this wonderful story.
