“95 going on 59”!
Tripping lightly across the hallway the birthday girl appeared, swirling in a graceful pose. All of 95 years of age and looking at least 35 years younger, Doris hummed the happy birthday tune as we arrived and jokingly announced, ’95 today’, can’t believe it! With a trim well kept figure and elegantly dressed in cream and black, Doris greeted us warmly as we congratulated her on her great age. In the sitting room presents, cards, and a birthday tea were enjoyed. As a real surprise her four grandchildren arrived to celebrate her special day.
I feel very proud that Doris is my Mum-in-Law, and although I am just over half her age she leaves me standing in the energies and many interests she has. A widow for the past 12 years, Doris has endeavoured to seek out her ambitions and make the very most of life. She is lucky in that she is able to take two holidays abroad with her daughter each year, and delights in all the preparation and booking of these. She openly enjoys a play on the mighty Internet in sifting for the best deals. Doris, as you might expect, keeps a very busy diary. This includes her close friends in the village, her cordon-bleu cookery course, the mobile library duties she undertakes, Women’s Guild, and the flower-arranging rota at church. Gardening and reading is without doubt top of Doris’ list, as is the daily newspaper crossword. Some lady you may think! She is a real treasure with a wealth of wisdom, as well as being excellent company.
Doris openly admits her pet hates that hold up her busy schedule, are housework and cooking for one. As with many intellectuals, she is a very untidy person and rarely puts anything away, however, amidst the muddle Doris can usually find an item straight away. Meals are usually convenience ones when alone, however Doris does like to meet her cronies for lunchtime pub meals in the village pub two days a week.
After the birthday tea we played charades, as Doris so loves to do. We sang happy birthday again and talked about her age, to which she openly agreed how lucky she’s been to enjoy good health and still able to lead a busy life. She is of course the template I’ve chosen, as most of us would, of course. However, some days I really feel so exhausted by early evening having worked, shopped, done chores etc, only to get the odd phone call from Doris, usually informing me she’s been to her cookery course, followed by gardening most of the day, and now off to a concert! I sit in awe of this great lady and ponder – will I ever have the energy to reach 95 – let alone do all the things that Doris presently enjoys? Oh, I forgot to mention; she’s recently informed me that she’s off to Majorca next month, as a relaxing break!
by Irene Sanderson – April 2008.
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