Our Mothers Part 3

My mother almost reached 93 in 2001. Fortunately for her, she was with my brother, a physician, and my sister when she passed. I just returned from being with her on September 10, 2001. He took good care of her. She had a heart valve replacement in her 50s, and that leaked. Unfortunately, we pushed her to have surgery and that resulted in her demise. I did not want her to pass. Mom passed 11 days later.

Mother never drank coffee, but drink tea and loved Cadbury bars. She drank occasionally, but never at home. To keep her mind sharp, mom beat me at Scrabble and worked on crossword puzzles. In fact, others in her building, stopped playing Scrabble with her because she always beat them. My competitive mother also played gin rummy and bridge.  She sang and played the piano, bragging that she only took piano lessons for one year. In fact, her teacher, a cousin even entertained the Romanoff’s. Mom loved movies, Mario Lanza, Tom Jones and Lara’s theme from Doctor Zhivago.

Mother never exercised and was a special assistant to Walter Goodman in running the Michigan State Fair.  While employed, she met many entertainers and raved about meeting and being kissed by Roy Rogers. I took her to a Tom Jones nightclub concert and she obtained one of his sweaty handkerchiefs. She was thrilled. When I suggested that she consider moving to a senior facility, she replied, “I’m not going there because they are too old.” End of that discussion. Her father and my Zadie lived independently into his 90s also. I miss her very much.

From this brief description of our moms, all helped to combat the decreasing mortality rate and the Alzheimer’s rise in our country; all had three children; all outlived their husbands-our fathers; all were competitive and  won, and all contributed to our happiness in numerous ways. We are so lucky.

PS

Do not get cancer or its treatment and you will live longer. I decided to run my 79 birthday trail miles this week. I feel good; the weather is good; and, Michigan has a bye this week.