Francine usually calls me most mornings just after 7:30am. Today was no exception. My 96 year-old mother opened with: “Yesterday, I got the best lesson on how to enjoy life in your 90’s.”
I’d not had a coffee yet as I was still “enjoying” my mug of boiled water and tbsp of apple cider vinegar, (the jury’s still out on this delight highly touted by my savvy daughter) so my brain hadn’t quite engaged.
“Cool, Mom.”
I anticipated her saying that someone had appreciated the fact she was still painting in her ’90’s. These Francine originals (the three on easels) were plucked off her walls and displayed at her assisted living facility as part of the recent annual “West of Main Art Walk” presented by Vancouver’s Artists in Our Midst.
Knowing it’s best to down the sour number quickly, I took a huge slurp.
“Are you still there, Kel?”
“Yes, Mom. You were telling me about your recent epiphany on how to enjoy life in your 90’s.”
“Well, remember how the Smiths asked me to find a fourth for the bridge game?“
“I surely do. Did you ask your elevator buddy?” Unfortunately Francine’s loyal bridge partners have been fading away like drowsy wasps of late. She recruited her newest one, a complete stranger, in the elevator. Fortunately the woman made a marvelous fourth.
“No, Eleanor was already booked. I asked Ben. He’s the 92 year-old with the injured back? He lives in such constant pain, it’s good for him to be distracted.”
Lovely daughter that I am, I immediately pictured her entertaining him with cookies.
“What are you drinking? It sounds as if you’re slurping spaghetti.”
“Sorry, Mom. You were telling me about Ben.”
“I was. Do let me get on with it. He sounded so sad when he called me minutes before we were to go to the Smiths. ‘I can’t play today, Frankie. I’m so sorry but I’m too nervous. I don’t know that couple and I’m afraid I’ll play poorly.’ My heart broke for him. ”
She had all of my attention now. The poor guy. It surprised me to learn that folks in their 90’s can still get nervous. But of course they can. They’re human.
“How did you handle it, Mom?”
“I assured him that we could go together and I’d introduce him the second we got there. He reluctantly agreed.”
Have I mentioned that my mother is a retired Fine Arts professor as well as a former Asian antique dealer? Yes, she still loves nothing more than to help inspire, comfort and teach. She’ll creak up out of her chair at every opportunity.
Here she is on Mother’s Day presenting her local “moms” with the wonder that is Vancouver’s Rosie Daykin’s latest cookbook. ‘Let Me Feed You’ is a must for those who enjoy feeding loved ones. Nevermind, that our nonagenarian is the first to admit she has never enjoyed cooking. Francine frequently crows (with great pride in her voice) that she has absolutely NO idea of how to even turn on her present oven …
“Honestly, Kelly. Have you not had your coffee yet? You seem rather tired and distracted.”
“Right with you now, Mom. So, how did Ben manage?”
“He was splendid. He and Jean left my partner and me in the dust. But boy did he enjoy himself.”
My heart swelled with joy.
“He bubbled ‘ I had the best time today! I’m so glad I summoned the courage to go.’ Isn’t that just a great example of how to enjoy life in your 90’s, Kel?”
It surely is. Thank you, Mom. This is one of your best lessons yet.
Enough about Francine’s lessons on how to enjoy life in your 90’s. How are things with you? Soaking up all the sweet and sour chicken that your heart desires? Appreciating every day as if it was your last? If you’d care to share, I’d love to hear.
PS – special thanks to the photographers LR and MM for these unique beauts.
17 Responses
Love love LOVE that woman!! And the way you describe these INSPIRING nuggets of conversation is truly a gift, Kelly! Oh, this was just so sweet and as usual, it has a good dose of hilarity along with the wisdom that moves me every time you share the wonder of Francine with us all.
Thank you so very much, Chris. Having lunch with Francine today and I will pass on your kind words. I know she’ll be tickled pink to hear them!
Oh the lessons we continue to learn from Francine, including the one where she never stops learning herself.
So very true, Wend. Now if we could just get her to “stuff some tubes in her ears” we’d be golden.
WHAT an inspiration your mom is!
Aw, thank you, Kathy. I’ll pass on your kind words to her!
Oh Kelly, your Mum never ceases to amaze me ! I hope I have half of her zest for life at her age . Thanks for sharing her with us !!
I know, right? Here’s hoping we’re close to it at 66 …
I played in a fountain today while Ron stood by laughing at my sudden decision to yank off my shoes and go all in:)
I absolutely love it. Wish I could have joined you!
This is beautiful. Hope you are well.
Aw, thank you. Yes, all well here. I’ll zip over and have a read of your work. Hope you’re thriving.
What a delightful story! And might I add that I really enjoyed your writing of it? Whatever you have been learning/practicing/winging, it is working. Really fun read. Two thumbs up.
Why, thank you! That means a lot to me, Katy.
Another fabulous Francine story!!! She sounds like she has the biggest heart in the world. Enough about Francine – what’s this about boiling water and apple cider vinegar. It sounds purge-worthy. Are you holding out on your beauty secret? Because if it is then I am running to the market asap! Have a great week, Kelly. Stay out of trouble!
Go and git yourself a big ol’ bottle of apple cider vinegar, Sis. I start my day now with a mug of boiling hot water and 2 tbsps of acv. Your blood sugar and cholesterol will thank you for it. Yum? Um …
Oh I love your mom! My in-laws are in their 80s and their bodies are failing them in many ways, but they both still have the spirits of much younger people. Recently my husband and I went to a meeting at our church and saw some of their friends from their church (the next county over). They said “Bob and Sylvia would have come with us, but they saw our garden at book club last week and they’re jealous. They’re staying home to re-landscape theirs.”
My dream is to age as gracefully as they. I think your mom’s advice about summoning courage is a sound part of that.