Yesterday would have been my mom’s 101st birthday. To honor her, my brother and his family and my Aunt (her sister) and I went out to dinner. We had a glass of wine and a good meal as we sat and enjoyed each other and mom stories. On the ride to the restaurant, my Aunt told me a few stories that, although I had heard them before, I enjoyed none the less. They reminded me of the great life my mom lived and the legacy she left.
What is stunning through this though, is my Aunt. Her memories, her ability to tell the story and her wit, as if she was at least 20 years younger. At dinner she enjoyed some banter with the waiter, making him a laugh a few times. On our drive, she and I spoke of many things including work I am doing, the NY Yankees and the changes she saw in Belmar. You sometimes forget you are speaking to a 98 year old.
In fact, a week ago, she gave me my first true Mah Jongg lesson. She bought me a card for this year and we sat at her kitchen table for about 1 1/2 hours to begin my journey into this ancient strategic game. Growing up, I would hear my mom, aunt and there friends saying things such as, 1 Bam, 2 Crack. I never really understood anything more. For the time I sat there, she helped me identify the tiles, begin to understand the card and therefore the game. I have a long way to go to really understand the rules, however I am on my way. I am not sure there are many 98 year olds out there who not only remember a game as difficult and strategic as Mah Jongg but could then explain and teach.
As I sit here reflecting on the past week or so with my Aunt, I marvel at her and her abilities. She handles her finances, writes out her bills, used to remind me to pay the taxes on my parents house until January when we sold it, pays attention to sports including the Yankees, the Rangers and anything Rutgers. She goes to physical therapy each week to help her balance, and has the therapists laughing and also marveling at her attitude and how conversant she is with them. Her wit stands out. Her ability to make jokes and be funny amazes others. She is truly one in a million and a great reminder that attitude and staying mentally alert are important as we age. Aunt Kit reads constantly. She reads the newspaper cover to cover, watches the news, and reads books. In fact, we go to the library weekly and she reads at least one book a week. She read the entire Harry Potter series during the early days of the pandemic.
Aunt Kit has a cell phone, which she uses to text and call her grandchildren. Yes, she texts. I look at her some days and I think about my mom and grandmother. They were both marvels as well. Mom lived to 95, and although she had some dementia brought on by COPD, it was nothing compared to others I have seen. She knew all of us and still had her wit. My grandmother, who died at 85, was so witty and full of life all the way to the end. She was clever and witty, funny and compassionate, and always reading. In fact, if there was something they all had in common it is just that. They all read. They read a book a week at least. They read all types of books and comprehended them. They used their brains.
Age is an interesting thing. I see some people close to my age who are so old. Who act old, move old and think old. Then there is my Aunt who acts younger, thinks younger and although she doesn’t move like she once did, she tries. Some people age themselves because they think at this age they should be old. Others fight aging with all of their might. I like the latter. Fighting aging by acting and thinking younger, taking good care of your mind, body and soul, and surrounding yourself with positivity. And read. Read a book a week. Read for your brain, nourish your soul and learn new things.
98 and full of wit. We should all be this blessed.