A Can Do Spirit

In response to my question of, "What are you and Wilbur doing these days", Mary, who was 95, said, "We are taking old people to the doctor". I was amused and had to pause and think about that one and have been for the last 10 plus years. No, the pausing was not about surprise but rather about needing a moment to inhale the richness of their lives which I had come to know as one of loving and giving. Mary and Wilbur sold their dairy farm, moved to the city and made themselves useful in assisting others in need. At around the age of 90, Ken protested when his family decided to take away his truck. Why, Ken was in no way aware that his driving was unsafe for himself or to others. For at least a year, we had breakfast together, and I was most honored and privileged to spend many hours with Ken over the last two years of his life. At a men's breakfast, we celebrated his 90th birthday. Ken made me and everyone in his presence feel that we were The VIP and The Main Attraction. At a birthday party for her, she sat on a stool as each of us greeted as we walked by. She stared at me, and I'm not certain that she even knew what all the fuss was about. It was her 100th birthday, and Ruby uttered not a word, nor needed to, because her presence was inspiration enough. Ruby, Ken, and Mary have all passed away, but they have left me a much richer person and our world "A Can Do Spirit". 031021PSCtest, Poetry As Legacy, Line Gauthier