Page 14 - Senior Times South Central Michigan - July 2016 - 23-07

Page 14 Senior Times - July 2016
TAKE THE TIME! IN LOVING MEMORY OF
TOOTIE
By: Anne Clark
The biggest lesson: Take the time to really talk about life.
Don’t just think that you know, take the time to have the conversations. You see, I’m not sure if we really talk or try to put ourself in someone else’s shoes to feel what they’ve lived and want to live from a particular day forward.
In my recent experience, when the disease really started to become more apparent (the earlier stages) I was blessed to be able to have many talks about her life. We talked a lot about her childhood and yet I’m left with a feeling that we didn’t really talk enough (oh if only we had the wisdom to ask the right questions). You see, her father passed away when she was nine,
in the year 1945. During our conversations I often thought about what that must have been like knowing that I lost my Father in my late 40’s and life just hasn’t been the same since. In the days since her passing and in conversations with her special niece Lisa and nephew Paul it really hit me... Nine years old, losing your Father, and now your mother was the sole person responsible for raising two kids, in 1945. What must that have felt like?
I only got a glimpse of her life. But
one thing I do know is that she was a person that started at a position in high school through a co-op and never left that company. It allowed her to be able to take care of her Mom through her illness and aging years, to keep a home, take care
of her household all by herself (she never married). What a gift she was to those around her. And then to really learn of her athletic gift was a bonus (because
she was never boastful).
One treasured moment was seeing and reading the articles she had kept over the years of her accomplishments – both professionally and in sports.
So imagine the gift of speaking with some of her co-workers and hearing about a fabulous boss, approachable, always with a smile, and what a gift
she was to those who worked for her. Then to hear those she golfed with talk about the years on the course. Priceless! I still wish I had talked more to her about those years.
So as sure as I’m sitting here, I say
to each and every one of you reading this article... Take the time to talk about the history of the lives of those you love. What were their favorite things, what was their life story? Many times we think we know but find out when it’s really too late, there was far more to
the story. Ask, learn, spend the time
and enjoy those moments with those
you love!
In Loving Memory of Tootie –
Thank you for being in my life and giving me the precious gift of your love.
The month of June was certainly not what we had expected. Our aunt, whom we’ve been sharing the journey of Alzheimer’s with, had been having some health issues since April but June came and things were suddenly worse. And although she is in a much better place now (She passed away 12 days before her 80th birthday, which
she couldn’t believe she’d ever be 80. Guess she was right.) there were so many lessons learned and treasured moments we were fortunate to have.
Senior Day at the Park
National Amateur Baseball Federation World Series
Date: Friday, August 5, 2016
RSVP: 269-966-3430
E-mail: tlnewton@battlecreekmi.gov
Sponsors:
Gates open at 10:30am FREE Admission First game at 11:30am All Day!
Come on down and spend the day
at the ball park - C.O. BROWN STADIUM! 1392 Capital Ave NE, Battle Creek, MI
SENIORS get in free all day and their families/caregivers! Games all day! (Sponsored by Sherwin-Williams) Box lunches will be served to the first 500 seniors.
Nurses available from 11am to 2pm for vital signs Vendors will be available around the park.