How does it feel to turn 98 years old? Ask my Aunt Ruth. Today is her birthday. She knew I was coming yesterday and bringing a cake to the house she has lived in since the 1950’s. My cousin LuAnne got her dressed up fancy and helped her put on some lipstick. She was sitting in her wheel chair in her sunny kitchen where she can watch everything happening on the block. There was a big bouquet of flowers in front of her that had just been delivered and another on the living room table. LuAnne brought out several vases for the 98 tulips I brought Aunt Ruth from Trader Joe’s. Man does LuAnne do a lovely job arranging flowers! What a happy occasion. “Okay,” Aunt Ruth said. “Let’s have some cake!”
LuAnne put the cake on a fancy plate, and put one candle in it. Aunt Ruth blew out the candle herself and proceeded to eat a whole piece frosting and all.
Aunt Ruth asked about my siblings, and I showed her the latest pictures of the grandkids. We talked about the price of tickets for the LA Olympics in 2028, and reminisced about the 1984 Olympics.
When I happened to ask her what year they bought the house, she said she wasn’t sure. Huh? As far as I knew she had more wits about her than most 50 year olds. Why didn’t she remember? She had a little glint in her eye. Then, she told the story. It was on New Year’s weekend. So, she and my Uncle Maynard never could decide if they bought the house in 1955 or 1956. She laughed. She told more stories about the house. Then about life in Belize as told to her by her care-taker. Always curious about other people, Aunt Ruth never stops learning.
I hope I have a smile that big on my 98th birthday! I hope you do, too.