Digressions by D’reen

by Doreen Uren Simmons

Reflections on being a 90-year-old

This column is being written by a 90-year-old. Yep. Believe it or not.  And a still-hung-over 90-year-old…but not from alcohol…from a wonderful onslaught of family.  How do grandchildren get so BIG and noisy? I can’t imagine where that comes from.

Actually, it was a wonderful celebration, beginning and ending, again…believe it or not…with church (cousin Dick please note ).

Friday night we were invited to dinner by a couple of sweet fellow-parishioners,  and it turned out to be MANY fellow-parishioners and in MY honour! Saturday was family, family, family. I went to bed at 7 p.m.! And then Sunday at church we had a splendid presentation by Tom Allen of the CBC, with harp and violin, and he charmingly heralded me again, to a sweet round of applause.

My partner said, “Don’t make the column all about you.” Well…okay. What about life lessons from a 90-year-old? Simple.

Love is what matters. Life is full of ups and downs as we all know. I’ve had my share of ‘downs’ …mostly falls!…but also deaths and disappointments. And yet here I am, surrounded by beautiful family and friends, who’ve also had THEIR share of downs, but have always ended UP!

The secret? Love. Empathy. Compassion. Caring. Gratitude. Those qualities don’t necessarily result in a LONG life …that’s a matter of luck and genes …but they result in a Good Life.

Music helps too, and I’ve been very blessed by that. It began with a mother who was a beautiful singer and a father who was totally supportive. My own music was enhanced by association with splendid artists, vocal and instrumental. It often seems like life was one long song.

Wait…did I mention a sense of humour? Essential.

This is NOT ‘all about me’. It’s sort of a hymn of praise and gratitude. I wish for you, dear readers, similar blessings. Not just at this upcoming season, but every day of your life, no matter HOW long!

Keep smiling…and loving. D’reen.