My mother has reached the age where she has few peers. At ninety-six she is is a generation ahead of most baby-boomers. Several times when we’ve been out to eat, a gray-haired man has stopped by the table and asked to pay for her meal. They usually say they miss their mother.
people of all ages go out of their way to help Mother. Shoppers in the grocery store offer to get things off shelves. Neighbors offer to take out her trash or help in other ways.
Two little boys had stopped to visit Mother, then lingered to visit. She heard them talking outside her back door.
”Miz Swain’s old.” One remarked.
”Yeah, but she’s a nice lady.” the other replied.
”But she’s old. She’s just full of …..”He cast around for the right word.
”Oldness.” replied his friend. “She’s full of oldness.”
Nutsrok 
96 is impressive. I was very close to both my nans and I lost them around the 70’s. I love sitting and talking with older women and adopted a lady from a workplace I ring and visit regularly. She’s 76 and still working. She laughs like one of my nans and has the same deep voice. I think it’s beautiful that people can see the faces of their loved ones in your mother. Many blessings to her.
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My mother is a blessing to many people.
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What a nice story. Thank you for sharing. I love that two young boys hung around long enough to visit with her. She is full of “oldness”. That oldness holds so much history. Hugs to you and Hugs to your mama.
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Mother was very engaged with her neighbohood. Until Covid came along, she kept a cooler of ice water on her back porch for walkers.
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She sounds like an amazing woman wrapped in complete hospitality.
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She was wonderful to me.
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Fine example of what a mom is supposed to be
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Glory in her oldness! She lucky there are such kind people around, here she’d be lucky if someone opened a door. Manners have gone by the wayside for the most part.
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I think her quiet friendly demeanor and diminutive size make people feel protective.
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Love it…..:)
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Oldness, not a word I have heard but I like it, some people may be fully of it though long before they are old, people like my husband who is only 63 but often acts and talks like he is 83.
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I believe this little guy conjured it up on the spot.
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Delightful!
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My still fairly sprightly neighbour celebrated her 99th Birthday this week with a meal out with family. Gwyneth is a beautiful lady both inside and out and reminds me of my own mother who would now be 103 if she’d survived her seventies. Cancer unfortunately made sure she didn’t. I’d love to have been taking her for a meal to celebrate. I’m so glkad your mother is still going strong and providing you with so many humorous episodes. Huge Hugs.
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I am grateful to still have Mother. I took her to eye doctor yeasterday, then we had lunch at sat outdoors for a while. It was lovely.
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