My neighbor Ruth, my 100 year old friend, is in hospice care. I visited her two days while waiting for her children to arrive, hoping to give her some comfort. I think she knew it was me. I won't write of her passing, although it will be very soon, but of the times we had together. 

She could use the title, Dr., a PhD in some science. She had been a research neurobiologist at Princeton, a woman definitely ahead of her time. (I think of Amy on Big Bang Theory) She retired in the '90's. She took classes there afterwards just for the fun of learning. We used to read articles together then discuss the science. Everything to her was a marvel.

She was an avid swimmer. She'd belonged to the local swim club and in the summer spent every day doing laps before it got crowded. In the winter she'd go to the 'Y' or eventually to our fitness center. One day she told me she had done about 30 laps in the pool, then lost count and started over. I think she did about 40. Her family took her to the beach to swim on her 99th birthday, then on her 100th she still got in the ocean.

She and her husband had traveled all over the world before they settled down. She told me stories of far away places and had souvenirs around the house to prove her visits. I don't remember her traveling much after her husband passed 20 years ago. They worked well together.

There are stringed instruments on the walls. A baby grand piano in the living room which she was playing, even in her wheel chair, up until last year. On Friday she sang a Hebrew song to no one. It was nice.

In our last 20 (omg)  years as friends I became a helper, occasional 'help I've fallen and can't get up' person,  and keeper of laughter relationships. We had a good giggle the day she sat on her chaise outside and it slowly collapsed. We waited for help to arrive, enjoying the sun from our vantage point on the ground. I've sat with her waiting for ambulances to take her get broken hips replaced. I was grateful her family finally got her the panic button.

What is it like to live 100 years? 

According to Ruth, it was wonderful.


Comments

  1. BarbNovember 20, 2023 at 7:41 AM

    Oh so sorry to hear your neighbor/friend Ruth is in hospice. What an amazing woman! A PhD neurobiologist @ Princeton. Truly amazing for a woman of her time. God bless her love of learning! And God bless her on her transition. And I take such comfort in her saying that it’s WONDERFUL to live 100 yrs. Who knows what each of our timelines are, but may we ALL feel that way about our allotted Earthly time.

    ((HUGS)) and thank you for sharing her amazing stories.

    Barb
    1crazydog

    ReplyDelete
  2. OneKidsMomNovember 20, 2023 at 3:22 PM

    What a wonderful life your friend Ruth has led! I completely understand how we get happier as life goes further... we realize all the things we have seen, and heard, and done, and observed... LIFE is good, and hers has been an outstanding one! (As has yours, lady, and I expect you know and appreciate that... no false modesty needed!)

    (( hugs ))
    t'other Barb OKM

    ReplyDelete
  3. MorticiaAddamsNovember 20, 2023 at 4:05 PM

    I am so sorry to hear about Ruth. She was a wonderful person and a great neighbor. I have always loved women with the name Ruth. One of my close friends was a Ruth and I lost her. Benny and my Godmother is named Ruth and she is in her mid 90s. Irreplaceable like your Ruth. Sending a prayer for Ruth and a hug for you.

    ReplyDelete
  4. ValNovember 27, 2023 at 10:55 AM

    What a great life - and you have been an awesome friend & neighbor, she's been fortunate to have you... Love & prayers!

    ReplyDelete
  5. KENDRACARROLLNovember 29, 2023 at 6:05 AM

    Sounds like a life well lived. What a wonderful friend/neighbor relationship you have had. Lots of memories to cherish.

    ReplyDelete

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