Pretty in Pink
My mother’s 92 year old aunt, who we visited recently in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, is a bright star (as the blinking pin on her sweater suggests) and a shinning example of aging authentically.
Originally from Nova Scotia, like the rest of my mother’s German relatives, she lives alone, has a wicked sense of humor, and is up on the latest world events.
My sister and I had never met her before and my mother hadn’t seen her in over 40 years. So we made the 4 hour drive and arrived at her home. She had a Red Sox throw blanket spread out on her sofa, and she knew what the internet was.
After a time of greeting, we helped her to the car with her walker, where she gave us directions to her daughter’s pond camp. She told us about a recent boyfriend, and when my sister asked if the car air-conditioner was too cold on her, she answered, “I’m not a fussy old lady, you know.”
At the camp house, we all enjoyed a boat ride, and some of us went swimming. As the afternoon passed, we gathered on the back porch to reminisce. Her daughter recounted some details of her mother’s 90th birthday party, which featured a scrapbook full of memories, some of which were old wedding photos.
She wore a pink wedding dress. “Why did you wear a pink dress?” her daughter had asked at the party. She answered with a bawdy laugh and a twinkle in her eye, “Why do you think?!”
Any bride who wears a pink wedding dress in 1932 has got to be pretty special, don’t you think?
Comments
glimpses of your present and glimpse of your future...as i've said to you many times, i'm looking forward to seeing what kind of a 90 year old you will be. your in a fine line of german/irish women who know who they are and what they stand for and what they will not stand for. as you said in The Bigger Picture you are stepping into this next phase of life curious, confident and poised to study, reflect and write about the territory you'll be covering....and we'll enjoy reading your musings as you go....even if you become a fussier older woman :)
Posted by: joe | July 21, 2005 12:57 PM
She sounds amazing!
Posted by: kimbofo | July 21, 2005 3:31 PM
What a great story!
Here via Michele.
Posted by: kristal | July 22, 2005 10:58 AM
Hi there, Michele sent me. You have a great blog and web site, and quite a fantastic sounding aunt. All the best from Hong Kong!
Posted by: Charles | July 22, 2005 12:07 PM
Hi! Michele sent me!
My mother's side of the family is from Berlin, NH which is in the northern part of the White Mountains.
Have a great weekend!
Posted by: Bob | July 22, 2005 12:08 PM
What a great woman! The place where we live had been built originally as a "retirement community" -- demographics are changing for the younger, but slowly. The folks here are filled with extraordinary vitality and people almost twice my age are role models to me.
Posted by: Elissa Malcohn | July 22, 2005 10:45 PM
Yes, very special. You're very lucky, too.
Posted by: Karen | July 23, 2005 9:34 AM
Wow! I LOVE her! Can I adopt her?
Posted by: annie | July 23, 2005 9:30 PM
This is a precious post. My mother's oldest sister passed away very recently at 94 years old. She too was a spry and classy woman who made darned sure to keep all her ducks in a row. These "seasoned" women are amazing to me. There's SO much we could learn from them ~ and they offer the lessons quite willingly.
Lovely photo too!
Posted by: Weary Hag | July 24, 2005 6:33 AM
Wonderful.
Posted by: terrilynn | July 24, 2005 11:04 AM
She sounds like a pretty spectacular lady alright. I'm glad I got to meet her as much as I now have through you. She sounds like a great person to spend time with.
Posted by: Pearl | July 25, 2005 8:22 PM
Don't I wish we could all have relatives like this gal. But, since I don't, I can strive to be like her someday!
Posted by: Tabor | July 26, 2005 4:45 PM