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| But growing older has weathered me in a way that's no longer burdened by apprehension. It allows me to look and look and to occasionally have the delicious experience of seeing for the first time something remarkable that's always been there. |
| —Lucy Daniels |
Walk with Women is happy and honored to share excerpts from a senior memoir writing workshop enjoyed by seven wonderful and lovely ladies with a lot on their minds. Eloquently they brought to all of us an appreciation of who they were yesterday and, more importantly, who they are today.
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The Love of My Life
by Lillian Young (90)
My husband Gilbert was my very first and only love, and even though he is gone now, he forever holds that distinction even today. He was tall with light auburn hair-a handsome sight, especially in his policeman's uniform.
Although a good provider, his life's dream was to get ahead in the police department. He was unhappy when his supervisor told him he was too good-hearted. But that was true. Gilbert was so loveable and ready to help anyone, his kindness could be overwhelming.
Although his main hobby was golf, he was very interested in team sports. He liked to cook but the clean up afterward held no interest for him.
His best quality was his neatness. His worst habit was that he would never argue. It was always a one-sided discussion. Something he would typically say would be "are you done?" This left me, as it would most women, frustrated.
But when our discussions were over we never went to bed without talking. We always made up! A quick tip for a healthy happy marriage: never go to bed angry!
Losing Someone Dear
by Mary Brennan (84)
Life brings many different kinds of loss but the loss of someone we love can be the most difficult of all.
I lost my husband, Jack Brennan, when he was 30 years old. He was 5'5" tall, had thin brown hair, fair skin, and blue eyes. We were together all the time. He was there for me at the birth of my children.
Jack was the life of the party. He was funny. He and I learned many things from each other. Most of all we learned to be patient with one another. One of the happiest moments of my life I shared with Jack when we became parents of our two sons.
When I think about Jack now I still remember his sense of humor. The funny things he said and did still bring a smile to my face.
One thing for sure, he was always there for me and our family.
Sadness and Joy Brought Wisdom
by Kathleen Maher (82)
In sharing my insight about loss let me first say, God's comfort is always with us! Prayer is a comfort to those left behind. You must always have faith.
On the other hand I believe happiness has always made me feel brighter, makes me thankful, and breeds more happiness.
Loss
by Clare Frank (77)
I am writing a few things about loss, and a few things about happiness that you might find helpful. When we are faced with loss, faith helps a lot. Remembering the good times is so important-and also trying to live by their example.
I found in my life time that happiness is what you make it. Money can't bring happiness. Learn to gather your happiness from the simpler things.
I learned having children was a gift from heaven. Gaining wisdom in my 40s I found strength to separate from my husband. As I reached 50 I realized I could raise three children on my own. The truth at any age is how hard it is to see your children leave home. My 70s bring other truths. The truth that I can't do all the things I used to.
Loss
by Julie Belcher (93)
I know a lot about loss and the most important thing to remember is that when someone leaves your life, whether they die or just move away, life still goes on.
I was a happy child and have tried to maintain a good attitude. Even today I consider myself just a happy 93-year-old kid!
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A Powerful Event December 7, 1941: I was ten years old, still in school. I was sitting on the porch and heard the breaking news on the radio. The president of the United States, President Roosevelt, just declared war on Japan. I was very upset. I ran off the porch yelling "we're at war, we're at war!" My father was an air raid warden. It was his job to make sure as soon as the sirens would go off, every home in his area had pulled all their shades down and closed the curtains. Curtains had to be black or lined in black. Life changed for all of us. Everyone had to step up to the plate and do their part. It was the day of women working in factories, replacing the men who had gone off to war. Everyone recalled the famous Rosie the Riveter icon of the time: an attractive woman in an airplane factory uniform, bandana tied around her hair, holding a heavy riveting tool, performing the ultimate of masculine jobs on an aircraft to be used in the war. It was a time nylon stockings could not be bought. Instead, all nylon was needed for manufacturing of parachutes. Sometimes we colored our legs with lotion that made our legs look like we were wearing hosiery.
December 7, 1941 On December 7, 1941 I was at home in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania doing housework: thirty-one years old, married, and with one child. I was listening to the radio and heard the announcer stumbling with the words that Pearl Harbor had been attacked by Japan. In that horrible instant life changed for all of us. My husband Harry was a coal miner who volunteered to be an air raid warden. When the sirens sounded he would patrol outside at night. Lights had to be put out as a precaution in case enemy ships were patrolling off the Atlantic coast. He made sure everyone obeyed. We collected rubber tires and tin cans for the war. It was the time of oleomargarine. Who could forget the clear plastic bag of white margarine with an orange button in the middle that had to be squeezed broken and then kneaded in the bag to distribute the color, making the yellow butter substitute. Sugar and meat and gasoline were rationed. We even had ration stamps for buying shoes. Every member of the family was allotted two pair of shoes a year. Everyone made sacrifices. We had no choice. Looking back, I wonder how did we do it? Life was so much harder then than it is now. But with it all we had patriotism, we flew flags and had parades. I guess that's exactly how we did get through it. People seemed to know that no one could get through this nightmare alone. So we stuck together. |
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