A Sentiment

God knew what He was doing when He sent a gentle breeze and brought a lovely butterfly to set my heart at ease. The happiness of your friendship and the gentleness of your words have touched my life in special ways and now I feel assured. Thank you for your loyalty and for reading everyday. I only hope you find things to make a happy day.

Thursday, September 5, 2013

A Visit





Yesterday I had lunch with Elizabeth. I've told about her before...she is a lady from Church who I have become very close to. She is close to 90 and lives alone, with her two West Highland Terriers....a neighbor up the road. Her family checks on her and she goes to her daughter's every evening for dinner.That way she is well taken care of and she can have some independence. She invited me for lunch and told me it was her turn to fix the lunch. When she opened the door...there stood a beautiful woman with white hair and such an up to date dress of medium blue. Her jewelry was very modern and it matched her outfit perfectly.The little dogs tumbled around at my feet and showed their excitement at having a guest. When the dogs quieted down, we went to her kitchen and I carried the plates in to a perfectly set table with a floral centerpiece and good china and silver. She has her table by the windows and you look out on her entrance, which is so beautiful, with a fountain in the middle. She can see guests coming up to her door from this table. African violets lined the window sill. They were silk violets, but looked so real.
Our lunch started out with tomato juice and then a sandwich made with a "foldit" I had never had this Artisian Flatbread before...and haven't seen it in our stores. The sandwich was layered with mayo, turkey, roast beef on one side... and on the other side cucumber and a slice of (fresh from the garden) tomato and lettuce. She said that now we fold the sandwich and put the two sides together. It was so good. Just enough bread without being to heavy. I'm going to ask if our store will carry them. Getting on to the lunch...some chips (that I have never had before) and spinach dip, a cluster of grapes on each plate and for dessert...a lemon square. It was such a good lunch and after cleaning up...we had a wonderful visit...with Bello and Frisky taking turns on my lap. I was there all afternoon...we had such a long and interesting conversation. I had taken my camera with me...thinking I might  take a picture of Elizabeth and her pups, but after visiting for a while, I got shy and didn't have the nerve to ask. I knew that I would have posted it here and Elizabeth, being such a private person...I just didn't want to take advantage. Maybe she wouldn't have minded...and maybe it's just silly me.
It was time to say good bye and I thought to myself...I wish that more aging women would be like Elizabeth. So interested in life and new things,having aches and pains, but not dwelling on them. She uses a walker and I'm sure she has discomfort that she doesn't talk about.She's had her share of grief in her life. Leaving her family and homeland after the war, losing her husband, and illness. She told me that she looks at people magazine, to be in on all that people are talking about, listens to WGN every day to be up on the news of the world, she said that she is looking forward to fall things like the Prayer Shawl Ministry at Church that will meet again, after taking the summer off. She goes swimming twice a week with friends. She never misses Mass in the morning. She's such an inspiration to me and when I get grumpy or out of sorts...I hope I can remember her and her positive outlook.
I came home and later on Joe wanted to go to Sam's restaurant for a Chicago Dog. My tummy was full. We watched America's Got Talent and a movie and then we went to sleep. I didn't think that I would be hungry ever again, but this morning I knew that I had cherry preserves waiting in the fridge. All I need now is toast.
Balisha

7 comments:

Debra @ HOMESPUN said...

I think that all of your regular readers like visiting Elizabeth with you :)

One Woman's Journey - a journal being written from Woodhaven - her cottage in the woods. said...

Oh what a wonderful visit
and thank you for sharing.
I have had several friends
like that over the years.
They were always such an inspiration
and I would think Lord let me age like that.
They are now gone
and two things I need to do
is listen more
and not talk about health issues
that are surfacing :)

Balisha said...

If you only could have seen her when she opened the door. She always dresses like she's going out to the best restaurant and sets the most lovely table. I once asked her where she would like to go for lunch...she said "home" So, I know she's most comfortable there. She still enjoys making her guests feel special.
Balisha

Sharon said...

That's how I want to be when I am 90...just like that. And I want a friend like you to come visit and have lunch:)

Balisha said...



Sharon...wouldn't we have fun?
Balisha

Leslie Kimel said...

Balisha, you are the best storyteller. I just love reading your blog. You don't need any photos. You painted the scene just perfectly with your words.

Ivy, Phyllis and Me! said...

Good Evening Balisha, I love hearing about your friend Elizabeth, she is such an inspiration to us all. I truly want to stay interested in life and all it has to offer.
My Aunt Molly is 98 in January, she is still independent, although the family do help with various things, she is still determined to keep her independence and she loves doing her own shopping.
Aren't these ladies an inspiration to us all.
Thank you for introducing us to Elizabeth.
Best Wishes to you,
Daphne