Tuesday, August 2

An Old Acquaintance

Last weekend as we were delivering wedding flowers, we had to go to a country club that I had not been in since January 2008 - the last big wedding that my own business had there. For many years, I had seen a woman manning the reception desk on weekends every time I delivered flowers. She was so cheerful and friendly that I always looked forward to seeing her. 

Mel and I went there in the morning to set up all his centerpieces and spread rose petals on tables that would hold crystal candelabra later - as soon as they were delivered. The older woman I remembered was not at the desk; it was another, equally charming woman. I didn't ask her about the older woman (but I should have.)

Later, Mel asked if I would stop back by that club on my way home to  hang two sprays on the stair railings and also take photos of how the room looked after everything was in place. I was happy to do that, since the club is only five miles from my house. When I entered, who should be on the desk but the woman I remembered - so I went over and renewed our acquaintance. She said she remembered me, and I told her how much I had always enjoyed seeing her at the desk and what an asset she was to the club. She replied that she might be retiring soon - and I said that although I had closed my business, I still worked for several other florists, and that she might want to think carefully about giving up her "day" job. What she said then floored me:

She is 91 years old, and no, that's not a typo. She is 91! I knew she was of a certain age, but I had no earthly idea that she could be in her 9th decade. And as it turns out, the woman I saw when I first went to the club that morning is her daughter. She helps out; I suppose, so that her mother will not work all day long and into the evening.

If I could ask a favor of the Universe, I might ask that I could be so healthy that I would be able to work into my 9th decade!! I think the country club is to be commended for keeping on staff a woman of that age.  She is healthy, happy,  and as I said, a definite asset. Bully for her - and bully for the club!!


11 comments:

Kay Dennison said...

Awesome!!!! What a great lady!!!!!

Grannymar said...

A wonderful tale and well done to that fine Lady!

Arkansas Patti said...

How neat that you stopped and got her story before she "retired." Wow. Interesting that the other "nice lady" was her daughter. Sounds like good genes and upbringing.
Kudos to her and employers.

Evil Twin's Wife said...

Wow! Our next door neighbor - a single man - is almost 80 and he gets out with the Evil Twin to do yard work and practically works circles around him! Amazing!

srp said...

Mom always said that if her mom had not had Alzheimers and she needed to care for her at home, she would have loved to teach her beloved first graders for another five years or so..... I think the school district would have liked that too.... people always asked for their kids to be in her class.

oklhdan said...

WOW....how impressive! It makes me feel ashamed of my complaining about my aches and pains!

Ginnie said...

What a nice upbeat post, Judy. And I agree that the Country Club is to be commended for keeping her on...it'a a win-win for both!

Anonymous said...

You probably don't want a smart-assed engineer to stop by to tell you that, at 91, the wonderful woman is into her 10th decade, do you, Judy? That's what I thought - so I won't tell you!
Cop Car
*snickering away*

Anonymous said...

That's a great story! The two women I know who are in their ninth decade can't work at all, can hardly get around without assistance, and don't have the wherewithal to manage a country club reception area. How lucky to have the kind of genes that allows for such enviable stamina.

Pat said...

Well done her. I hope she has plenty of interests. Sometimes it's the job that keeps people going.

Jean Campbell said...

A lady in town here proofreads for the local paper. She's 94. There's hope for us.