Tuesday November 17 2015  91 AND COUNTING

People are so interesting to me.  Today Dave and I visited some friends from church.  As we got in the car this afternoon to drive over there I turned to Dave and said, “Now I really do feel retired”.  He asked me why and I told him, “Because we are leaving to go someplace during the day just because we want to”.  It actually felt rather different.  I must keep reminding myself what day it is, that it really isn’t a Saturday.  He won’t be home for just two short days and gone again.  I love having him home.  I love being home.  I don’t think there is any place in the world I would rather be than at home.  However, when I am out and about I thoroughly enjoy the time and place I am.  Remember the“living in the moment” thing I do?  Well, anyway, back to where we were going. 

We met Joe and Virginia about three or four years ago when they started attending our church.  They are always such a delight to talk to.  We go to the early service which lets out at 10:00 a.m..  Virginia and Joe attend the late service which begins at 11:00 a.m..  We stay late, they come early and we always seem to meet in the foyer and spend time talking.  They moved to a new place last year and have been wanting us to come over.  We kept putting it off and putting it off due to all our overbooked circumstances, like illness, hospitalizations, surgery, etc. and couldn’t seem to find the right time to go.  So today on a windy, cold, rainy day we decide this day would be perfect.  It was the only day this week that would fit both of our schedules.  So, we called them this morning, asked if it would still be a good day to come and they replied yes.  So that’s what we did. 

Have you ever just walked into someone’s home and you knew you would feel comfortable there?  Well, that is what I felt when I walked into their condo.  It was open and airy, spacious, with large windows, and beautifully appointed with just the right amount of furniture and wall décor.  It was so refreshing to be there.  I immediately felt at home.  This is the first time we have visited at their place.  Both Dave and I had a great time visiting with them.  It was so interesting listening to Joe’s stories.  Joe is one of those rare guys who have a perpetual twinkle in his eyes and a smile on his face.  He has a quick sense of humor, and is a true gentleman!  He is always a delight to be around.  Virginia is warm and inviting and you can tell that she really does enjoy being with people.  Dave and I love them both.

Joe has a woodworking shop in his garage.  He showed us how he is all set up with his specialty saw and he showed us some of the work he does.  He is talented and patient.  His work is intricate and takes hours to do.  He has about two hours a day to dedicate to his craft but it seems he gets a lot done.  A couple of years ago Joe graced us with one of his beautiful pieces of art.  It hangs in our kitchen and I see it every day.  It always puts a smile in my heart.  Joe is 91 and counting.  He and Virginia are truly amazing.  Their stories are refreshing and I only wish we could have stayed longer.    I will enclose a photo of the piece of art that Joe handmade and presented as a gift.  It means a lot to us.

I asked both Joe and Virginia what their wisdom to the world would be.  Joe told me a story too lengthy to put in the blog but I think the one fact that was most important for him to convey is:  “ALWAYS PAY CASH FOR WHAT YOU BUY.  DO NOT GO INTO DEBT!”  He learned that from his father. 

Virginia’s wisdom was concise and to the point.  “TRAVEL AS MUCH AS YOU CAN.  ENJOY THIS UNITED STATES AND SEE WHAT YOU CAN SEE BECAUSE IT IS BEAUTIFUL.  WE HAD A RECREATIONAL VEHICLE AND MET SO MANY PEOPLE ALL OVER THE COUNTRY AND WE HAVE KEPT IN TOUCH WITH THEM AND STILL SEE THEM WHEN WE TRAVEL.  I JUST RECOMMEND THAT YOU TRAVEL ALL YOU CAN.”

After they answered I asked them another question.   I asked each of them, as they aged, what was the one thing that caught you by surprise that you didn’t realize that your aging would do?

Virginia’s reply:  “I GUESS I DIDN’T REALIZE THAT I COULDN’T DO NOW, WHAT I COULD USED TO DO.  I USED TO BE ABLE TO KEEP MYSELF BUSY ALL THE TIME BUT NOW I NOTICE WHEN I OVERDO I GET TIRED.” 

Joe’s reply:  “WHEN THINGS GOT DIFFICULT I JUST GAVE LIFE A PUSH AND KEPT ON GOING.  WHAT AGE IS DOING TO ME NOW IS TAKING AWAY THE THINGS I WANT TO SAY.  THEN I KNOW, I REALLY AM OLD NOW.”

Joe actually said quite a bit more in answer to the last question.  I sort of helped him paraphrase it in simpler terms.  The story was very interesting, but again too lengthy to include at this time.

Oh, I mustn’t forget to mention their beloved 14 year old puppy.  She is part poodle and part something very impressive, I just can’t remember what she told me.  Very cute though.  It is a wonder she doesn’t have a split personality because Joe calls her MITZIE and Virginia calls her MISTY.  She answers to both.  Her given name is Misty so it is Virginia’s name of choice to use.  I will enclose a photo below of the piece of art that Joe made for us.

What more can I say?  We sleep, we get up (and do all the other unmentionable things everyone else does), we eat, we do dishes, we do laundry, (we even put it away most of the time), but I do not make the bed.  I figured it out one time that I used 26 ½ hours a year to make and unmake my bed.  I figured I could do something better with that 26 ½ hours.  Now, if I am to be totally truthful, I do make it two or three times a year when we expect “important company”.  So, if you ever come to our house and want to find out if you are important or not, just sneak a peek to see if our bed is made up with the bedspread and shams and pillows.  Then you’ll know how you rate!  It sure does feel good when you get to the place where you can release yourself from other peoples expectations!  I LOVE NOT MAKING OUR BED!

So, I guess I have told the most important part of our day.  Our visit with Joe and Virginia was our highlight.  I just love being retired!

GOOD OLD FASHIONED VISITING

By Kathleen Martens

November 17, 2015

There is something about visiting

In the good old fashioned way,

Which is without a cause,

Other than you want to play.

No agenda, no meal to cook

Just plain old simple talk.

No phone or email notes,

But a a place when you can sit and gawk.

Face to face, side by side

Laughing and sharing stories,

How much better can it get

Because tales are never boring.

Eye to eye, heart to heart,

Sharing with a friend.

Good old fashioned visiting,

Too soon comes to an end.

And that is the way it was with us today.  It all ended too soon. 

Good night and God bless you.