Our 96 year-old says it’s her last newsletter, but is it really?
What newsletter? Well, the one Francine created at her assisted living residence out of a need to connect with others. She asked her fellow residents to share their life stories and the first Gazette was born. Francine created a second issue a few months later. Enthused by the positive response, she was hard at work on the third one when life suddenly went sideways just over two weeks ago.
Our feisty gal encountered some health hiccoughs and required hospitalization. But even that didn’t knock her down. She kept up with the outside world, not an easy feat when you’re ill.
Our 96 Year-Old Says It’s Her Last Newsletter, But Is It Really?
Our chatty and curious nonagenarian also befriended everyone who walked past her open door. I was beyond impressed with her positive attitude.
“My admitting doc is a wonder, Kel. She popped in today and we had the most interesting chat. I’ve just read her latest research paper and am inspired to do a piece for “The Gazette” on cannabis.” Her enthusiasm ramped up exponentially. “You can help me.”
She handed me a two page typed paper. The font was the size of a grain of sand and I recognized only two words per sentence. The rest was scientific gibberish. Dread rolled over me in relentless waves; this task was way out my league. Add in the fact that I have a book to write, stories to submit, a dog to walk, nails to cut, socks to iron … Anything but this. I prayed that our super keener would forget.
Mercifully she did. There was no mention of it when she was sprung two and a half weeks later, just this simple request.
“Do you think you could type up the newsletter, Kel? I haven’t the strength.”
The bulging folder instantly conjured up a vision of an overstuffed sausage casing. This project would be as exciting as a root canal. It meant hours of pouring through scraps of tattered paper covered with undecipherable handwriting and poorly written stories that would require ruthless editing.
But I couldn’t have been more wrong.
These are but a few of the brilliant gems I typed up.
Journey To The Arctic On A Russian Icebreaker
Francine wrote this one. I’d forgotten how she was randomly paired up with a cabin roommate who insisted the porthole be shut at all times and who commandeered all of the clothes hangers – nails bashed into the wall. I grinned over the unfortunate similarity of her new puffy white jacket to that of a polar bear and I marveled that she was 88 on this first trip to the Arctic. It wasn’t her last; she’d go on to do two more.
Hiking in the Canadian Rockies
Glynis wrote beautifully about her love of the annual summer vacations spent hiking through the Rockies. Her description of the scenic views, the delicious food and the joy of having packhorses schlepping all the gear had me seriously considering signing up for a trip this summer.
Escaping “The Blitz”
Emilie’s description of being whisked by her mother out of London to escape “The Blitz” of the Second World War was haunting. I was so relieved to learn they made it to the hotel in time for tea. I appreciated the deliciousness of that “first boiled egg in months …” and was so happy to learn that the family would return to the town each summer once the war was over.
The Best Christmas Ever
Nothing was as evocative as Wilda’s piece about one Christmas in her home town in Manitoba. It was 1949 and men were flooding in from Eastern Europe to work in the mines. Their families would follow in January. However, the Canadian government surprised them that Christmas Eve with the gift of a “special early flight.” Nothing was ready and the one shop in town was shut for the holiday. But no matter. The townspeople rallied to ensure the newly arriving families were welcomed with hot hearty meals and warm homes.
Mom couldn’t be more appreciative when I handed over the finished product. But, honestly, I’m the one who really benefitted. Thanks, Francine, I know you say it’s your last newsletter, but is it really?
***
And how is our 96 year-old now?
Thanks to this photo recently taken by my sister, I can confirm that Francine’s feeling better …
Enough about “Our 96 Year-Old Says It’s Her Last Newsletter, But Is It Really?” I’m curious about you. Have you ever been handed a dreaded task that turned into a delight? If you’d care to share, I’d love to hear.
18 Responses
If nothing else, Francine is resilient. Also, perhaps your editing work on the Gazette will be picked up and you’ll be doing Issue #4 ?
Yes, I cannot agree with you more. Francine is a bouncer backer if ever there was one. And I’m so delighted for someone living (or working) at the magical residence to pick up the editing pen should there be an issue #4 … Perhaps Sandy?
Oh dear, I am so sorry to hear about your Mum’s recent health challenges, and hope she is up and bouncing again soon ! I would hazzard a guess that this will not be her last newsletter !!
Thanks, Jane. I’ll fill you in on Friday.
Holy cow! What a book concept THAT would be! Stories from the Residents at the Residence. Such amazing stories and a lovely perspective on the whole thing (from the both of you.) I adore this! Hugs and cookies all around! Cheers! (Please tell Francine we’re looking forward to the next installment…)
Yes, that would be quite the book, would it not? They’ll need to speed up the submission dates somewhat for that to happen. These contributions came in at quite a snail’s pace, I’m told.
Wonderful, Kely – both of you ! We should try to meet up at Tapestry some time. I think I could persuade my Aunt Jane to contribute an anecdote or two?
What a wonderful idea – on both counts.
What a wonder your mother is, Kelly! Sorry to hear she has been hospitalized and hoping she gets back her strength soon. Her newsletter sounds like a treasure. I don’t have many dreaded tasks these days, though shoveling snow would probably qualify. The delight I find in doing it is breathing fresh air, getting some exercise, and enjoying the beauty of the snowy landscape.
Thanks so much, Molly. It’s a bit slow going at present but she’s determined to recover. I do hope you’re on the mend, too. We’ve got snow on our local mountains but none on the ground. I can loan you our shovel if you like.
Such a cute post, Sis. I wish my Dad could have met her. They would be like two peas in a pod. Have a great week and I am thrilled that Francine is getting back to her young self.
Thanks, Sis. And yes, it is a real shame the two of them never met. Or did they? You and I have an awful lot in common …
Your Mom has enough lives for an entire herd of cats! Glad to hear that she’s feeling better. It doesn’t surprise me that she made friends with everyone she met in the hospital.
Thank you so much, Kathy. She truly believes she’s not that special. It’s nice to read here that folks think otherwise.
Loved reading your post. Your Mom keeps you going it sounds like. She’s amazing. Love her stories that come through you. May she have a full recovery and be back to feeling much better real soon.
I love her attitude and yours, too, Kelly. What a treat to read and then type the stories. Okay, it would be a treat just to read them. Someone else could type them.
I once ran a spaghetti dinner fundraiser for my son’s baseball team. It was tons of hard work. But, I learned a lot. And my post about running that dinner is my most-visited post, even 5 years later. I guess other poor fool’s on Pinterest find my experience helpful.
Looking forward to more stories from Francine and crew.
I’m so glad she’s feeling better. And to get new stories out of a 96-year-old is golden! I wish I had known that once upon a time ago.
Hi Kenya. How have I not responded to this lovely comment earlier? Ouch. I agree with you – I wish I’d paid more attention to the older folks earlier as well. Making up for lost opportunities now …