I have an aunt; she’s the last living relative of her generation in the family. We, who claim her as a relative, absolutely love her. There’s a zest about her that never falters. She’s in her 80’s and doesn’t seem to know her age. No one has heard her complain about getting old. When the phone rings and she’s invited out – out she goes – no matter the time or place. Of course, you must know from this description of her that she laughs a lot.
She’s goes beyond the arthritis that grips her legs and hands, beyond the macular degeneration that’s left her “legally blind” and has taken away her driver’s license. In her early 80’s she was still driving, and was one of the best drivers of anyone I know. She once said that if she couldn’t drive she didn’t know what she’d do. It’s happened. What’s also happened is that there’s never a lack of people calling to take her out. Shopping? Swimming? Dining? Siteseeing? Visiting? Out she goes.
A few years ago, Aunt Irene found herself at an alternative healing place. The tests showed allergies. Oh, no. The tasty comfort foods (we all know what they are) were replaced by the “other way” of eating. You know, none of. . . and lots of. . . . After the initial shock of cleaning out kitchen cupboards and refrigerator, and looking at a restaurant’s menu with new eyes, Aunt Irene once again got into the flow. The bonus was that in eliminating the wheat she was allergic to, she lost lots of weight. Nice after all. What else is there to say about her? It’s this, it feels right to have Aunt Irene right here with the rest of us. If anything happens to people in Aunt Irene’s life, they’re automatically put on “top priority” of her prayer list. There’s great respect for that prayer list, and the woman who says the prayers.
Yes, she simply does what’s before her to do, and she does it so well.