After a week of Instagram teasers, I’m delighted to finally share the big news. Francine is the ‘Let’s Embrace Aging Passionately’ 2019 award winner. This Canadian award is presented annually by the British Columbia Seniors Living Society (BCSLS). Who is BCSLS? It’s a voluntary, membership-driven, organization which include the owners and operators of Independent and Assisted Living Communities in BC. Their vision is a province where private pay providers thrive and innovate to offer increasing diversity of choice in seniors living.
The LEAP award honors a resident “who is inspirational, a champion, and makes a valuable difference in the lives of others everyday.”
This year, 24 senior living facilities within the province put forth a nominee.
The candidates were judged on the following:
Has made important contributions to the community they live in
Is inspirational to other residents in their community in overcoming challenges
Is a champion for social causes and promotes community involvement
Makes a valuable contribution to the quality of life of other residents
Let’s Embrace Aging Passionately 2019 Award Winner
Francine was aware that her name had been tossed into the ring by her Assisted Living Facility as they asked her to come up with two references. One from a family member and one from a good friend. Once those were submitted she promptly forgot all about it. As did her family.
Francine was alarmingly breathless when she phoned me two weeks ago and I immediately braced for worrisome news.
“Kel, I’ve won.”
“How much ?” I selfishly enquired. The good woman faithfully buys lottery tickets every week.
“What? Not money, silly. I’m the Let’s Embrace Aging Passionately 2019 Winner. It’s going to be presented at the President’s Dinner at Whistler. I’m allowed to take one person and I’m hoping you’ll join me.”
Of course I said yes. Two days in Whistler, the home of the 2010 Olympics? Yes, please.
It’s Quite A Big Deal
Then came the secretive call for photos for a special powerpoint presentation, emphasizing “celebratory moments in your Mom’s life.” Well, that was a problem. The majority were carefully preserved in a slide box that has long gone missing. Ugh. Thankfully my archivist sister and her family dredged up some brilliant black and whites of Francine as a tot, some lovely ones of when my two siblings and I were young and some great ones of Gaga with the great-grandchildren. I also managed to cough up a couple of ones from our Asian Antiques shop days and her paintings.
But then came an update.
“They want me be a judge of innovative ideas on the third day. Is that ok with you?”
Three days at Whistler? Yes, please.
It wasn’t until we arrived at the President’s Dinner that I truly realized how big a deal this LEAP award really is. We sat at one of two tables reserved for the folks associated with Mom’s facility. Everyone made a point of warmly greeting her and offering their sincere congratulations.
My second clue was the size of the crowd in the room. There would be 400 folks listening to her speech.
Of Course, There Were Hiccoughs
Mom normally retires for the night at 8:00pm. I was a little alarmed when she began to wilt at 8:45 and we’d yet to make it through the two awards that were ahead of hers.
“How are you holding up, Mom?”
She responded with the best line of the night in my books: “It helps that I’m partly deaf.”
My third clue that this was a pretty special deal was the announcement of “And now for the most important award of the night. The LEAP award.” Powerpoint time. It opened with the most touching photographic tribute to the other 23 nominees. When Francine began to stir, I nudged her to keep watching.
The emotions fleeting across her astonished face triggered a lump in my throat.
That lump grew to the size of a walnut when the crowd gasped as they saw examples of her artwork that she’s created over the past decade. Especially this one.
But then Mom uttered the unthinkable.
“I’ve brought the wrong speech, Kel.”
A tsunami of panic washed over me. Was there time for me to scoot back to our room to retrieve it? Even if there was, I had NO idea where it could be. Francine had edited it 27 times that afternoon.
“Mom, you’ve got this. Just say what’s in your heart.”
Is She Really 96?
I was horrified when the chap presenting her award leapt off the stage upon spotting her wheelie. The other two winners hadn’t given speeches so he naturally assumed she wouldn’t. The words were out of my mouth in a blink.
“Oh no, she’s talking.”
He dutifully escorted her to the podium.
To say that Francine held the crowd’s attention throughout would be an understatement. The predominant theme? “Is she really 96?”
Congratulations yet again, Francine, and thanks for asking me to be your wing woman. It was an honor I’ll long remember.
A very Happy 97th Birthday to our LEAP award winner.
Enough about Mom being the “Let’s Embrace Aging Passionately 2019 Winner.” Have you a special, charismatic Senior in your life? Better yet, a kindred spirit for Francine to meet? If you’d care to share, I’d love to hear. As would she …
29 Responses
How wonderful! Congratulations to Francine!
Aw, thank you, Joy. Hope all is well with you.
That is absolutely wonderful, and so well deserved ! Congratulations to your Mum, and to you for being an amazing wing woman !!
Thanks so very much, Jane. It’s been a grand time and the old girl rose to the occasion beautifully. Rest assured, I’ve packed away the charging cord …
Congratulations to Frankie on the LEAP award – so well deserved! She may not be leaping much these days, but she has obviously leapt into many hearts!
You’re certainly not leaping to conclusions, Susan. The day after the award, so many people rushed up to her to congratulate her and to say how inspired they were. It was truly amazing.
Congratulations to your Mom! She is an inspiration to us all. Clearly, a most amazing women who is leading by example. The look on your mom’s face when she was given that award is priceless!
I love that photo, too, Patty! It’s indeed priceless. Thanks so very much for your kind words which I’ll pass on to Mom.
I am going to take this story to read to my Dad in the care home. He would love to hear about your wonderful award and your win! I am inspired by your story and your mum. Keep up the wonderful passion for life. Cheers to you
Aw, thanks so very much, Laurie. Much love to you and your Dad.
Wow!!! What an honor for such an inspirational, talented, beautiful woman! Cheers! Congratulations!!!!
Thanks, Lynne. She’s really quite a gal. And the best part? She doesn’t know it. They gave her a huge, huge birthday cake and she’s sent it to her fellow residents. “They deserve it as much as me.”
The wait for this dear announcement was worth it! What an amazing, special honor. The picture of her receiving her award is a treasure. Please make sure your archival sister holds on to that one.
Congratulations to Frankie and thanks for sharing her special moment with us!
Ha! Done. Archival sister has locked it into the vault. Thanks so very much, Katy.
You are most deserving of this prestigious award. To say you are an inspiration is an understatement. I am very proud of you. Congratulations!
How very kind, James. I’ll pass on your lovely words.
OMG THIS IS AMAZING!! That woman is simply incredible! Congratulations to Frankie receiving such an honorable award- so deserving OF COURSE. So did she improvise the entire speech? SO fun that she pulled it off- but no surprise, according to her hilarious ways and adorable personality! I bet there were oohs and aahs over her artwork because she is truly gifted. AND my gosh, she looks GORGEOUS- the lady cleans up well! LOL
I’m so glad you two could share these extraordinary moments together. What an experience!
(I’m SO glad I caught your post on FB! Do you have a book out yet? I need to catch up over here!)
Aw, thanks so very much, Chris. She really is incredible and yes, she did improvise her speech. I caught bits that I’d heard her rehearse but there were also gems tossed in that she’d revealed earlier in the day in conversation with admiring strangers, as well as some original tidbits. My biggest takeaway was the response of the 400 to her artwork. There was this audible gasp that I’ll never forget. It was a huge wakeup call for me to not take it for granted just because I see it on a regular basis.
And bless you for asking about “the book.” I’m hard at work on it and have learned SO much about what writing a book entails. To say that the initial draft was less than stellar would be an understatement. Can you say “rewrites”?
OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Congrats Francine!! What a HUGE honor!!! “It helps that I’m partly deaf.” If I were skillful, I would needlepoint a pillow with that saying!!!!!!!! So proud of our Francine, Sis!!
Now that’s a pillow I’d kill for. Sign up for a needlepoint class, Sis. Surely you could have it ready by Christmas …
This brought tears to my eyes, Kelly. And made me miss my own wonderful grandparents – much like your Francine in spirit – so very much. This is WONDERFUL and I can’t tell you how much I love it. I do read you still…mostly a lurker these days because, well, life is a bit insane. LOL I’m so glad I got to share this lovely news and had a moment to offer my congratulations! Please give your mom a huge hug from me and that I said, “You GO, girl!” Just so awesome.
Aw, Lisa, thank you for etching out the time to not only read but also to comment. Means the world to me. I can understand how deeply you miss your grandparents, too. It must seem as if the sparkly bits have dimmed a little. You’ve got their wonderful memories but oh, what we’d give to create more. I shall hug Mom tight the next time I see her and shout (she is “partly deaf”) “You GO, girl” on your behalf. Promise.
Wonderful to read this account of the day! What a bright light she is!
So very true, Ash, so very true.
As I type I am being hosted, for 2 nights, by 90 year old, Emily Blanchard. Still driving and living independently! Elegant, curious and the sharpest of memories, without any recall glitches, who says, “Hello,” to you.
That’s wonderful, Nonie. Francine reluctantly stopped driving a few years ago. Lovely to hear that Emily is still thriving.
From what you’ve shared about your mom over the years it doesn’t surprise me one bit that she won. Congratulations, Francine!
Thank you for this insightful comment, Kathy. I see that you are moving and I hope it all goes well for you.