You probably have a Peggy in your life and may not even know it. Someone who spurs you on to keep living well and you may not even realize it. My Peggy says she’s 95, 96, or 97. She says she can’t keep track of all the details at her age. I don’t blame her. When you’ve lived nine and half decades, it’s not essential that you remember everything. Peggy’s dementia makes sure of that.
The other day while walking Maisie, I saw Peggy out on her front sidewalk pushing along her walker. I nudged Maisie to cross the street so we could say “hi” to Peggy. Sure I knew I’d need to pause and chat awhile. Sure I knew I’d be delayed in making dinner and connecting with a friend.
So What If She Repeats Herself?
“How old is your dog?” . . . “So how old is your collie?” . . . “What’s the age of your dog?” Within three minutes, Peggy asked me three times about Maisie’s age. And it was okay. Who cares if Peggy repeats herself? Who cares if she can’t calculate her age?
Not me. I’m just grateful I still have a neighbor who loves this photo I took of her and wants a print copy. A neighbor who asked to read my writing. A neighbor who by just shuffling along her sidewalk invites me to get off my busyness merry-go-round to notice that she’s still here with us, fading memory and all.
Teaching a Youngster Like You
So let’s thank the Peggy in our lives. Thank you, Peggy, for teaching youngsters like us that it’s never too late to forget our age and just keep living well, one step, hop, or shuffle at a time.
P.S. Last year I wrote a blog on Peggy when Bellie and I visited her. Enjoy the uplifting read.
“Do you want to be counted wise, to build a reputation for wisdom? Here’s what you do: Live well, live wisely, live humbly. It’s the way you live, not the way you talk, that counts” (James 3:13, The Message).
Very well said!
Thank you, Nancy. Peggy is quite the matriarch in our neighborhood and still going strong in spite of some memory challenges along the way.
Miss Peggy looks a lot like Sophie Hitzeman ????she was a surgery nurse for Doc Schutz for years! I used to do her hair,and she was such a sweet lady. Her son Bill graduated with Fred and they have moved back to the family farm. Sure hope I can show him this picture, I know he will agree with me???? Keep making people smile????it is so nice that you take time to make her day and I’m sure so many others everyday! Love your stories????????
That’s sweet, Petey, about Peggy and Sophie looking alike. How fun! I am grateful that you love my stories. It is always a boost to hear that my writing is encouraging others. Yay!
She’s beautiful, Beth. And you are wise to recognize what a gift it is to spend time with her.
Nancy, Peggy is a beautiful woman and I am grateful that she is still with us. Oh, to cherish our elders more. YOU are such an inspiring example of this, Nancy. Bless you!
Oh my! Such a reminder of the grace of getting older and Peggy’s is an amazing example of that. Thank you dear friend for this!
Love ya, Terry
Terry, there is a grace in getting older and I love to discover examples is so many neighbors and friends around me. I’m honored that you appreciate this story on Peggy. Maybe we should invite her out for a moped ride? 🙂