Odd
Elderly … It is just plain odd to be so deemed. I am well past 65, apparently when we begin to be considered such. I have not thought of myself as “elderly” and “vulnerable” and neither has my 80-year-old friend, Ruth. The second definition given by Merriam-Webster is “old fashioned.” This is what we object to. We are far from “old fashioned” … “over the hill.” And our much younger friends agree.
Proud
Elder … Merriam-Webster’s third definition is “one having authority by virtue of age and experience.” We are proud to be so respected! We are in a group with those much younger women. One of them, born the same year as my daughter, is in the process of finding her voice and believing in herself. Because we’ve already been down that path, we are honored to serve as supportive elders in her process of becoming.
Gratitude for Overwhelming Kindnesses
I am self-quarantining because of the lingering cough from the flu I experienced before COVID 19 mushroomed and because it would not be good for my daughter, with her respiratory issues, to get COVID 19. I’m used to being independent. It is odd to be so dependent upon “the kindness of friends.” What I’m grateful to report is … I have been graced with overwhelming kindness.
- Before quarantine while still sick with the flu: My friend, Carol, went to the store for antibacterial soap, disinfectant wipes, and hand sanitizer … before the panic set in.
- March 12: My friend, Kate, texted that she was stopping by Meijer after work and was willing to pick some things up for me. In addition to a few groceries, my daughter now has enough distilled water to last her for several weeks (she uses it for her bi-pap machine).
- March 17: My next door neighbor, Cheryl, texted to see how we are doing and offered to run errands. My friend from church, Kathy, sent me a message that she was going to Kroger’s the next day and was willing to pick up a few things for us.
- March 18: Kathy had a family emergency and wasn’t able to go. Cheryl called late afternoon to say she was going to Kroger’s later. She picked up some fresh and frozen stuff that we needed. Today (March 22), she is going to Petco to pick up an order for cat food I was able to make and pay for online.
- March 19: Kathy made it to the grocery and picked up a few items Cheryl was unable to find or that I forgot to add to the list.
- March 24: I took my first foray out to the grocery. I’m not a morning person, but arose at 6:30 to be at the store by 7. They were out of frozen broccoli. 🙁
Gratitude for Technology
- Zoom is keeping me connected to friends and the groups that enrich my life. The week of March 16, I participated in three Zoom calls. I decided one way I can contribute is to upgrade my subscription and offer this service to all the groups to which I belong. It is a gift to me as well as to them.
- Facetime: March 21, I took a walk through the charming English village my friend, Teresa, moved to recently. What a treat. I only wish I would have had the benefit of the exercise she received. 🙂
- Texting: What a great way to check in with friends to see how they are doing. The creative ways people are finding to fill their time amazes me.
- Phone/Email: These old-fashioned vehicles are good but not as beneficial as being able to see each other.
- Facebook: As FB has morphed into a platform to express political opinions, I’ve found it less and less supportive of facilitating connection. With one wonderful exception. I’ve been slow to find our church’s FB group. Just went through a week’s worth of posts and it was great to catch up with what’s going on with people. Added many names to my prayer list. I’ll be checking it daily from now on.
Joy in the Journey ~~ Simple Pleasures
My first daffodil bloom … my orchid with seven blooms this year … birds that entertain me while I eat breakfast.
Forty-five minute walks around the neighborhood the past 2 days with my friend, Marvel. We keep our social distance. The hardest part is not being able to hug. 🙁
Loved this article dear Linda! Thank you.
So nice to hear from you, Kathy,
I know you’re a lot younger than I am, but you are in the vulnerable category, too. Seems strange, doesn’t it.
Take good care of you, my friend.
Beautiful, uplifting post! I, too, am awed by the connections I have to “my people” have carried me through thus far. I am so thankful to have you as one of my favorite “peeps”!
Oh, Kathy,
You are a jewel of a friend and I’m so blessed you are in my life. You are one of my favorite “peeps,” too. Isn’t it great to have a mutual admiration society. 🙂
Love you!
Thank you so much, Linda, for this lovely and very real expression of what it means to now be considered one of the elderly. Your posts are always thought-provoking as are our phone conversations, texts, and “zoom” meetings. It does seem very strange to now be one whom others are calling to check on because of being “older”. I have also been self-quarantining because of being 72 and having respiratory issues. I have had a wide range of feelings about this time of self-isolation. Being an introvert, a large part of me has enjoyed this time away from a busy life to embrace the quite and spend increased time in meditation, reading, and prayer (as well as working on some long-overdue cleaning-out projects). I am extremely grateful to have a home in which to do this, as many in our world do not. However, I have become increasingly sad about the burden the younger people, the poor, and many others are having to bear in this dangerous and chaotic time. My nephews and their wives are all in “essential” jobs, so they are out in the pandemic everyday. One has three children to protect. I spoke with my oldest nephew yesterday, who is a physician assistant and has already treated some people with COVID19 and will soon be working in a center that treats only these patients. I’ve watched and listened to news stories about countless people who are suffering physically and financially due to this virus. I feel so powerless to do anything to help because of my “elderly and compromised health” status. But I do continue to pray everyday and am now following your suggestion, Linda, of writing my prayer list down so I make sure to include all the names I have been given. May we all feel God’s presence and the love of one another during this difficult time.
Carol,
Thank you for you thoughts on my post the times in which we live. As you know, I share many of your concerns. You and your entire family are on my prayer list.
I am tardy in responding because it feels imperative to me to get my affairs in order … just in case. I am almost there and have finally found time to respond to comments. Thank you for your understanding and patience.
We must remember, we are providing a great service to others by just staying home. Seems small in comparison to all the needs, but I trust Amy Acton who praises us profusely for doing this. It will never seem like enough, but we must remind ourselves how important it is.
Love you,
Linda
Hi Linda,
I love your post, especially what your wrote about the meaning of “elder.”
I am so glad that you have caring friends and neighbors.
I also loved seeing your daffodil and orchid.
We are well. I look forward to talking soon.
Love,
Ani
Forgive the tardiness of my response, Ani,
It has seemed imperative to get my affairs in order. And so I have been cleaning out and organizing. I have my “After I’m Gone” documents almost done. That was a big job and kept me from responding sooner to my blog posts. I wrote a new one yesterday and plan to post it sometime today.
Look forward to talking with you next week.
Love,
Linda