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.