Today my Aunt Muriel is 90. Pretty amazing. She is one vibrant youthful woman for any age. What’s her secret? I would guess that she stays active, has lots of interests and keeps busy with family and friends.
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| Aunt Muriel |
Earlier this week I went to visit an artist friend of mine who is a resident at a senior group home. It had been a couple of months since I had spoken to Ruth- who I think is somewhere in her 80’s. I was surprised and saddened to find Ruth laying very still on her back in a sparse new room. Due to a fall she was moved from her regular room which was covered with her charming ink and watercolor drawings and paintings, photos and doll collection.
There she was with only Raymond- her stuffed animal draped around her neck and the window shades drawn in a darkened room. I saw that she had some sheets of loose paper next to her bed with drawings of black birds sitting and flying among intricate designs of tree branches. I opened her curtains, watered her plant and we chatted about her work and I asked her if she needed anything. She said no, that’ll she’ll be fine- and told me that her mother, who was also an artist- lived to be 100 and something and painted well into her 90’s.
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| One of my Forks (Wire, pulp, encaustic) with one of my new tea bags (resin, cotton thread, book pg.) Marking Time, Timeless |
Then the nurse came into to wash her and I had to leave, but not before Ruth left me with –
“Isn’t art wonderful? It keeps you young.”
What’s your fountain of youth?
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| A shot of our frozen pond with only the slightest crescent of water thanks to our new pond pump. |
and Happy Birthday Aunt Muriel!
Isn’t it interesting about growing old and remaining vibrant? I believe curiosity keeps us youthful – or at least I’m hoping awfully hard it does. Artists tend to be curious. The fact our eyes are open to the beauty around us doesn’t hurt either. I hope your friend, Ruth is up soon and back in her cheerful room.
You are so right Michelle – curiosity and an interest in others and the world around us. Focusing on beauty, service and growth- at any age. Thanks for commenting!
You are so right Michelle – curiosity and an interest in others and the world around us. Focusing on beauty, service and growth- at any age. Thanks for commenting!
I must agree wholeheartedly with Ruth- art does keep you young, growing, creative, and changing, which is the exact description of life, right? (To be considered alive, some must be able to grow, adapt, reproduce/create…) Love your fork and tea bag, too!
Thanks @Sharmon… exactly. The very act of creativity keeps us vibrant and alive- and hopeful.