Bertha, now, is past 80 years! She had a foot operation at the age of 13. She, in her young age, never could run, or walk straight. In the early days before a neighbor friend of the family, a police officer, detected her foot problem, her parents thought that Bertha was imitating her grandfather’s walk.
The foot problem recurred when she was in her 50’s. She has undergone hip replacement 20 years ago. And both her knees are replaced. She still walks slowly and not straight. Her hip that was cemented needs to be further repaired. The doctor who fixed it years ago though have not verbalized feels that it is not worth the fixing! But not Bertha!
Bertha’s legs may be faulty but she has a clean heart. I have never seen her controlling any one. She does not lord over any of her associates. Her relationships are bonded in true affection and authentic love.
Bertha is always doing the humblest work. Bertha is ever ready to do the cups and dishes, whether in the church basement, or at the seniors’ centre, where she has a little apartment with things scattered all over, a sign of her outgoing and busy schedule.
She goes for bowling with other seniors. Not that she scores very many points. But she continues to go, keeping her self very active and enjoying the success of others! She always has plenty to talk about other people’s greatness.
She comes to church very regularly. She also drives for worship three other women from the senior center. She agreed to serve in the Vestry and shares her views and questions without hesitation. Whether she understands, or not, she encourages the minister, the study leader, with her presence.
I was quite pleased when she said that she did not understand what I had written to the Fairview Post! She does not pretend. On an earlier occasion too she said that what I had given for print went above her head. She may, with no malice, occasionally attribute that to my university background!
She reads a little. She watches the TV a little. She socializes much, and enjoying quite a bit of Bingo! She visits the drop in centre whenever there is an event. She sits with the seniors. She loves the young people, normally talking fondly about her grandchildren in 20’s and 30’s! Her daughters do not share her faith. They go to different churches. But she neither envies them nor is judgmental. She lives, with her dead husband in her heart, frequently sharing stories of Benny. She also regularly talks about her dead son who, if alive, would be of my age.
The foot problem recurred when she was in her 50’s. She has undergone hip replacement 20 years ago. And both her knees are replaced. She still walks slowly and not straight. Her hip that was cemented needs to be further repaired. The doctor who fixed it years ago though have not verbalized feels that it is not worth the fixing! But not Bertha!
Bertha’s legs may be faulty but she has a clean heart. I have never seen her controlling any one. She does not lord over any of her associates. Her relationships are bonded in true affection and authentic love.
Bertha is always doing the humblest work. Bertha is ever ready to do the cups and dishes, whether in the church basement, or at the seniors’ centre, where she has a little apartment with things scattered all over, a sign of her outgoing and busy schedule.
She goes for bowling with other seniors. Not that she scores very many points. But she continues to go, keeping her self very active and enjoying the success of others! She always has plenty to talk about other people’s greatness.
She comes to church very regularly. She also drives for worship three other women from the senior center. She agreed to serve in the Vestry and shares her views and questions without hesitation. Whether she understands, or not, she encourages the minister, the study leader, with her presence.
I was quite pleased when she said that she did not understand what I had written to the Fairview Post! She does not pretend. On an earlier occasion too she said that what I had given for print went above her head. She may, with no malice, occasionally attribute that to my university background!
She reads a little. She watches the TV a little. She socializes much, and enjoying quite a bit of Bingo! She visits the drop in centre whenever there is an event. She sits with the seniors. She loves the young people, normally talking fondly about her grandchildren in 20’s and 30’s! Her daughters do not share her faith. They go to different churches. But she neither envies them nor is judgmental. She lives, with her dead husband in her heart, frequently sharing stories of Benny. She also regularly talks about her dead son who, if alive, would be of my age.
She works hard – has a garden during summer, knits, sows, bakes, cooks, inviting always others to share her beverage and food! She is a woman of great energy. She has overcome much prejudices others of her age and younger continue carrying, to live with. She believes that she inherited such openness and kindness from her father who homesteaded in the Eureka River district, running a store, mixing very freely with the Jews, who were hated at that time, and the aboriginals who were generally looked down by the settlers, and helping those who had nothing to eat!
No comments:
Post a Comment