Dear WinkWorld Readers,
A very short and personal blog post follows.
In church recently I had a very interesting conversation with a five-year-old, who was seated in the pew directly behind me. We were nose-to-nose as we whispered. He looked at me and said, “Good morning.”
“Good morning,” I replied.
“How old are you?” he seriously asked.
“80,” I quietly replied. “How old are you?”
“Five,” he told me. That was the end of the conversation, until after the church service when he came up to me again.
“You are a bunch older than I am,” he explained matter-of-factly.
“Yes,” I said.
“You are 75 years older than I am,” he clarified for me.Remember, he is 5-years-old and not yet in kindergarten.
After church was over, he walked with me down the stairs of the basement to have cookies and treats. When we got to the bottom of the stairs, he looked up at me and said, “I think you will live until 100.”
I tell the story for two reasons: first, it is a precious story, and I want to maintain the memory. Second, I want to use it as a springboard for thanking so many of you who wrote to me and shared specific memories for my 80th birthday. You have no idea how much I enjoyed each and every memory. It took me about two months to get my thank you notes and texts written, because I focused on each of you and our shared time together. This required a lot of time, staring out the window and shedding quiet tears of happiness.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart. And thank you, Dawn, for collecting and organizing so much of this. It was the perfect gift.
And, now: On to 100.
I found this photo on the web. It is not the little guy in the story. It’s just meant to give you a smile.
at 11:44 am
Joan,
This is a beautiful sharing of a precious moment. Wisdom from the ˋmouths of babeś. I look forward to reading your next 20 years! XOXO Sharon
at 9:15 pm
Sharon, so glad you appreciate this little moment in time. I was pretty much mesmerized by this little guy and his wisdom and knowledge. He also told me he was kind of a “mathy-kind-of-kid.” I told him that I was a “wordy-kind-of-person.”
at 1:02 pm
Dearest Joan, This story brought tears to my eyes, because it is so precious and “so Joan”! You open our eyes to the simple and beautiful things in life. You are gift to us all!
Sharon
at 1:02 pm
Dearest Joan, This story brought tears to my eyes, because it is so precious and “so Joan”! You open our eyes to the simple and beautiful things in life. You are gift to us all!
Sharon
at 9:12 pm
Thank you Sharon, I am so happy that I got to know you and Brian.
at 8:47 pm
Yes, may you live to be one hundred so you might continue all your writing, interacting with meaning to so many friends & admirers
Blessings,
🙏 Beth
at 9:11 pm
Thank you, Beth. That is the plan. xoxo
at 10:36 pm
Aww what a precious story! And you are such a blessed soul, Joan, that you may live to be 105 years! Love you. xxoo
at 5:30 pm
This little guy was amazing. So serious. And so matter-of-fact. It just absolutely was gorgeous. Thanks for your generous words.xo
at 12:35 am
Dear Joan,
Your story is so moving and I believe you will live to be 100. My mother plans to be around to be 105!
You are such a blessing in my life.
Thank you!!
Love, Janet
at 5:29 pm
Janet, your mom is absolutely amazing to me! And what a beautiful family she has. xoxo
at 1:07 am
I love the story and hope you live to 100! Children’s words are full of wisdom. All we have to do is listen. 🥰
at 5:27 pm
This little guy was so serious, and matter fact, when he was speaking to me. It was priceless. xo
at 5:27 pm
This little guy was so serious, and matter fact, when he was speaking to me. It was priceless. xo
at 10:57 am
For several years I escorted the Centenarians of Iowa onto the stage for the Govenor’s Conference on Aging to receive their plaque for recognition of reaching 100. The were some of the funniest and happiest people I have ever met. They each got to tell very precious stories. They were all women except for one man who when visiting Gettysburg told his family in the visitors center that he knew the Lincoln’s Gettysburg address, and so he did. The Park Ranger asked him to do a repeat performance for the next bus tour. So we asked and he recited it for us. You would have sworn it was Lincoln himself.
So many precious stories: (1) choosen to flying with the Wright Brothers at the Iowa State Fair, then she ended with “Don’t tell my mother.” (2) the woman when on their honeymoon were pushed out of the mud by the James Gang, who were hiding out at the near by farm house. (3) the woman who retired at 97 from working at the nursing home when she realized she was older than all of the patients. …
I strongly urge everyone who meets a centenarian to listen to their stories. I look forward to hearing your’s at our 2044 reunion! But, I will continue to love reading yours along the way.
at 4:52 pm
Hi Jon, thanks for your service/support of the Centenarians.
at 11:24 pm
Thank you, Joan, for this wonderful story. I love that this little guy could express to you what we all want to say! You have given so much to so many and we love you for all that you are.
at 11:10 pm
My dear friend,
You understand, and we have such a long long history together.
Love you lots!
Joan
at 2:28 am
You know what they say, Joan. “From the mouths of babes………”. I’m sure you won’t disappoint!
at 11:17 pm
Doing great Donna. Doing just great.
at 1:44 pm
Hey Joan!
Belated happy birthday wishes to you!
80! Wow!
I’ve read somewhere that 80 is now the new 70. I’m not a mathy-kind-of-kid; however, I think with ‘common core math’, I may be able to finagle through some equations where you are actually JUST becoming eligible for a Senior Citizen discount at the local Waffle House. Don’t know how close this local Waffle House is to your lovely abode, but you could give it a try, right? They definitely have bananas too! They also may host Karaoke night where you and Dean can do your awesome rendition of a Frankie Valli song 🎶
I just saw your note regarding your recent health issue too. I’m sorry this will be part of your journey into your ninth decade. However, YOU are a vibrant/energetic force to be reckoned with.
I am grateful for all the smiles and laughter you brought my way years ago!
Thank you my friend!
at 9:01 pm
Hey Sheri, thanks for connecting.
Big hugs!
Joan
at 6:49 am
Dear Joan, You may remember (or not) that I was a classmate of Dean’s at Moville ((Iowa) HS. I was very saddened to learn that you have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s. I have had two brothers with PD. Bob (77) died in January 2023. Bill (73) is in the Iowa Veterans Home where he receives excellent care. PD is a grueling disease. I pray that it will not be for you. I want to tell you about an activity I participate in here in Phoenix. It is a singing group called Tremble Clefs. People with PD tend to lose the use/volume of their voices as the vocal chords are muscles, just like the legs, arms, etc. We have seen some amazing changes in PD patients who meet weekly to sing together and share the camaraderie of others with the same problems. We do not need to read music. We sing songs that are familiar and always leave happier than when we came to practice. We do concerts in nursing homes, retirement facilities, the Arizona Veterans Home and other such places. Our director, Sun Joo Lee, is a phenomenal person who brings smiles, love, and happiness to our group. She is now working on her Ph.D. at the University of Iowa and traveling back and forth from Phoenix to Iowa City (via a scholarship) doing research for her dissertation on the vocal effects of PD and the benefits of singing. It sounds as if you are very active..as much as you can be. But don’t forget to make a “happy sound,” i.e., sing to keep your voice as strong as possible. With all your speaking experiences, this could be very valuable to you. I am so very sorry you have to go through this journey. My prayers are with you. Much love, Rhoda
at 9:00 pm
I remember! Thanks for connecting. Amazing.
Joan
at 10:11 pm
Of course I remember you! Great to hear from you. I have had trouble responding and posting your note. I will keep playing.
at 10:13 pm
testing to Rhoda.
at 11:03 pm
test 2 to Rhoda
at 11:16 pm
Dear Rhoda,
Thank you so much for telling us all about what you are doing to help Parkinson’s patients. Very helpful for many. I do my voice exercises daily. My primary neurologist is in Tucson, so we spend a fair amount of time there. Maybe our paths will cross. Dean and I both remember you. Today Dean told me about what an excellent student you were.
Thanks for connecting.
Joan