My wish for you, Dear Reader, is that you live to be 90. Not only do I wish for you to reach the age of 90, I wish for you to arrive as my beloved Oma did this past week. I wish for you to still be capable of living on your own, to drive your little red car with aplomb, to do your own wash and cleaning and meal preparation. I wish for you to tend your roses and vegetable garden and need a calendar to keep track of all your social engagements. I wish for you to have family and friends who support you in your age-defiance. I wish for you to be so greatly loved.
And when you do arrive on the doorstep of 90, I wish for you no less than 2 parties to celebrate your worth. Be sure to show up in your blue Hawaiian best, with turquoise necklace and snazzy clip-on earrings. Expect 4 cakes at your first party and keep the champagne flowing. Do what you must to make room for the van-load of flowers and plants that show up to acknowledge your cuteness. Flash your dentures at all photo-op requests.
At your second party, expect there to be enough homemade food to feed a medium-sized army. Be sure to try the 15 selections from the dessert table. Do not miss the rosewater cream puffs and raspberry torte. Drink more champagne and have tissues ready for the second chorus of "happy birthday". Wonder if you have any vases left at home for the second wave of flowers. Stay up way past your bed time.
Do not expect, Dear Reader, to reach 90 without a fair amount of suffering and setbacks and sorrow. But stay determined. Stay engaged in life. Keep moving. Hold dear your independent heart. Do not waste your time complaining. Use your stubbornness to your life-prolonging advantage. Eat well. And when you turn 90, if you invite me, I will raise my glass in your great honor and I will bow to the quality of your soul.
That is a lovely, lovely tribute to a remarkable woman.
ReplyDeleteI so love reading about your Oma. What a remarkable woman and a testiment to life. You are so lucky to have her around to tell you all the things you need to know. I miss my grandma immensely!
ReplyDeleteBeautifully written! It would be the greatest blessing to have a life as long and full as the one you describe. Your Oma is an incredible woman (and REALLY doesn't look her age!!).
ReplyDeleteWonderful!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great celebration :-)
(LOVE your last sentence!)
Your Oma, with those sparkling eyes and smile, offer us a glimpse of what a life well-lived looks like. I aspire to be the woman she is. I so much appreciate this post. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteOh how much your Oma reminds me of my Mum... it was lovely reading your words and gazing at the lovely photographs. Thank you,for posting, I've been following your blog for some time quietly and you write beautifully.
ReplyDeleteOh graciel, love the way to talk about your Oma (we call our grannies Oma too). Is that you beside here I'll guess so? Love to see your pretty face and my first reaction was...Oh I know HER. Witch of course can't be...guess the feeling is just okay, good and pretty nice. Thanks for letting us know how to reach the age of 90 ;-)
ReplyDelete90? i sure hope i look as good as your oma does if i reach that age.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely tribute to an amazing soul! If I could be even a fraction of this, I hope to live to 90 too :)
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful! Happy birthday to the birthday girl. Would that we could all do so well. :)
ReplyDeleteLovely tribute to your Oma, Graciel.
How wonderful! Oma doesn't look a day over 69:)) Terrific pic of the two of you:) This was a very inspiring post. I would love to live to 90 but I am hoping for 100!
ReplyDeleteOh I love this! If she isn't the most adorable, I really don't know who is.
ReplyDeleteEverything looks SO yummy!
Ah yes, the red car. I love that!
xo