What's Your Definition of "Old?"

My definition of old has nothing to do with numbers. Especially now that my numbers seem to be going up faster and faster!

Some would consider the age of 87 to be “old.” And some people are old at age 87. I don’t count health problems to be a measure of age. I’m thinking about our attitudes and spirit. For example...

My 87-year-old mother-in-law, Rita, lived with my husband’s, Ric’s, sister for over 30 years and recently made a decision to move to a retirement apartment complex. Although we could see some positives about the situation, the family was nevertheless concerned about how she would adjust to such a change... “at her age.”

Before moving, Rita would spend most of her days at home, not wanting to take a taxi to go anywhere, join a senior citizens group, play bingo, or anything that would get her out of the house. She was always excited to be a part of family events and gatherings, but beyond that her days basically consisted of a little cleaning up around the house, watching “Golden Girls” on television, walking out to get the mail, and waiting for someone to call her on the telephone. Ric, being a good son, usually made daily phone calls to his mother. On the occasions when he would not be able to call for one reason or another, his next phone call would be answered with something like, “Where were you yesterday? You didn’t call!”

Turns out Rita is doing okay at her new place. More than okay. Now her days consist of at least two “gatherings” a day, either outside in good weather or inside in a common sitting area, with other women of her “age.” They talk about treasured memories, their families and old friends, the weather, how the world has changed in their lifetimes, try to figure out what in the world texting and friend me on facebook mean, and laugh together about all of the above. And no doubt, they probably poke a lot of fun at the younger generation (like Ric and me!).

Recently there was a power outage at the complex. It lasted for 3 days. Did Rita accept invitations to stay with other family members during the time the electricity was off? No. Why not? Apparently this time of “darkness” was like a camp-out or a big slumber party for the residents at the apartment complex! Everyone stayed. Local churches and agencies brought them food and coffee. They continued and lengthened their daily gatherings. Together they wondered when the lights would be back on. (And perhaps secretly hoped it would not be “just yet”). Together they recalled similar “shortages” and difficult times in their lives... and recounted memories of the delight they found in their lives even when times were rough "way back when." I can hear now the chatter and the giggles that lit up the darkness and brightened their space.

These daily chats seem to be the highlight of Rita's day, but she also now makes daily walks downtown (8-10 blocks round trip and slightly uphill on the way back), takes a bus to places where she wants to browse and shop, and participates in many planned senior outings and events.

Several weeks ago, after having missed a couple days, Ric called his mom expecting to hear the usual why-haven’t-you-called-did-you-forget-you-have-a-mother type greeting. When she answered she said a quick “Hello.” Ric asked how her day was going. She replied in a kind of rushed tone, “Fine.” Ric then inquired if something was wrong. She said, “Well... I can’t talk right now.” Ric, a bit taken aback, asked her why she couldn’t talk. The reply: “I can’t talk right now. I gotta go. I’m going on a PICNIC!”

Little 4’11” Rita Cochran proves in a big way that we can make even major changes in our lives... at any age. It all depends on how you define “old.”

Singing for Joy!

The rescued miners and all the people of Chile certainly had reason to celebrate after all 33 were brought safely to the surface. But I noticed something more in the rejoicing... some underlying energy... a sense of unity that likely was there even before the miners became trapped underground.

First of all the country has its own jacket! :-)

Seriously though, they also have their National Anthem. All countries have an anthem. But this anthem was sung with such enormous power, that I was in awe as I watched and listened to President Pinera, Luis Urzua, and the others sing. Every word was sung with emotion, definition, and punch!  What incredible unison. I believe I may have held my breath until the song was over.

I witnessed similar singing of the National Anthem when I was in Mexico last month. Admittedly not quite as much passion as the Chileans were feeling as they celebrated 33 saved lives. But even then, it was very stirring.

Americans certainly united during the 9/11 attacks. However, I’ve never seen a group of Americans sing our National Anthem with the energy and gusto as the group who stood at the San Jose Mine last night!

Even though many Mexicans and Chileans struggle and work long and hard for low wages, there is a strong sense of unity and pride for their cultures. And it’s apparent in their celebrating... and their SINGING!  I’m glad to have “been there.”

singing for country

from the heart of a nation

to ears of the world

--haiku by ric

Connecting, Praying, Loving

Families and friends wait and wait and wait to hold their loved ones in their arms again.  That part is something most of us can somewhat comprehend.  But I can't begin to comprehend what the 33 miners underground in Chile since August 5 are experiencing.  I do know they need my prayers.  If I truly believe that when I pray, the pain of the one for whom I'm praying, is somewhat relieved, then how can I not pray for these men?  I just found this link on the MSN page:  33 Chilean Miners   Here I saw the faces and a very brief description of each person trapped underground.  When you look into someone's eyes (even in a photograph), it's hard not to feel a connection.  These men are far from us in distance, but our feet are on the same earth, we have been warmed by the same sun, have gazed at the same moon, and have wished upon the same stars.  I pray that all 33 of these men are rescued safely and that they can again rejoice in the sight of the sun, moon and the stars, and the faces of their loves ones. 

touching the same earth

our pulse is felt in all lands

all are connected

The Snooze on My Alarm Clock

As soon as my alarm goes off in the mornings, there's this huge KER-PLUNK as Dot jumps onto the bed. (She's a tad overweight.)  Then she lays right by my face and softly purrs. If I don't acknowledge within a few minutes that she's there, she gently taps my nose with her paw until I open my eyes and pet her head. All in all, not a bad way to start the day!

Mexico - Pyramids at Xochicalco

Mexico is awesome... so much more to it than most of us realize. Since my daughter and her family live here, I got a really good inside look at the culture... and the landscape! The people here are amazingly gracious and kind. The landscape varies from desert to jungle, plains to forest, cactus and pine trees grow together, there's clean and dirty, modern and old... and speaking of OLD, it took my breath away to have my feet on the ground of these Mayan ruins!

Absolutely incredible views from the top.  Actually it took us a long time to get to the top.  We thought we were there right away, but kept finding a higher place to go.  

I thought at first it was a "nice little village," but later learned it was an entire CITY!  We just kept finding new places.  We walked for over 3 hours... making one new discovery after another.  There were two soccer fields and one game field!

Sometimes it was just a little vignette that we stopped to enjoy. 

And some surprises... while we were stopping to take a break from walking, sitting in these ruins likely some 2,000 years old, my son-in-law, Daniel, got a call on his cell phone!

We were overcome with the idea of who had been there before us and were constantly awed that we were standing and walking in this place where 20,000 Mayans had lived and had built these structures, so perfectly designed for specific purposes.

 
   

My daughter, Jill, and I with the pyramid behind us.  We had no idea at the time how long we were going to be there and how much there was to see!  

Just a little trek on top of a Mayan pyramid... you know, the kind of thing I do most everyday. :-)

The Cochran Rat

Yikes!  When I see this thing, a blood-curdling scream can often be heard.  But it's actually not necessary to scream... it's NOT a real rat!  Ric bought this rat last year for Halloween.  It looks soooooooo real, that it used to scare me to death.  I couldn't stand for it to be anywhere near me.  Ric and my granddaughter, Tierra, used to chase me with the thing and put it in places where I didn't expect to see it.  My screams were followed by their roaring laughter!

I hadn't seen the rat for a long time, and then about 3 months ago, I found it behind the sofa when I was cleaning.  Screamed, of course... but Ric wasn't home to hear me.  So... I hid it in one of his shoes.  Next thing I knew I was screaming again, because it showed up in one of MY shoes.  So I hid it in the drawer in the bathroom where he keeps his razor and stuff.  A few days later, I pulled a jacket out of the closet and the rat fell out.  For a long time, we never spoke about the rat... it just kept showing up in different places, one of us waiting to hear the other one screech.  Ric was hardly ever startled to see the rat, but it continued to freak me out for quite a while.  Now, I no longer scream, unless of course, I haven't seen the darn thing for a while.  It's always been my goal to really, really, really scare Ric.  And a few weeks ago, I got him gooooooooooooood!  I was downstairs in the family room and heard Ric actually scream!  And curse, and jump around!  When he opened his closet door, hanging by its tail from the chain to turn on the light... was the Cochran Rat with it's beady little eyes staring right at him!

Ric and I have come to believe that probably every relationship needs a "rat"... whether it's a stuffed rat or a fuzzy bunny, a favorite photo, or a rock - anything that's significant to the relationship in some meaningful or goofy way.  The point is to have a "playful" thing happening in your lives... some silly little thing that keeps you giggling... even if one of you is screaming.