This is Eunice
“I may be a 100 but I’m not dumb. “
These are the words my Aunt Eunice --- who turns 100 on Christmas Eve uttered as she was telling us her Ipad needed fixing and how to do it. Her fingers not nimble enough. She loves her modern technology because it gives her something she wouldn’t have in the nursing home—a connection with her daughter, grandkids, nephews and nieces 24/7 and in essence the outside world.
I spent the day with her in rural Minnesota last week (temperature 2 degrees btw). Reaching 100 was her big goal …and I feared if I didn’t see her now – I might lose the opportunity forever. I also wanted to know what it’s like to be a century old.
To set the stage, she was one of ten kids growing up on a farm in the prairies of western Yellow Medicine County, MN. When she graduated high school, set off to medical college to be a nurse – a little rare for a young woman then—but she is a rare gem. Less than a year in, her mama got sick, and she went home to take care of her and never left.
She had actually met her husband Glen “in the cradle” – meaning his family came to visit hers when she was a baby – they were friends who became life partners. Together they raised two kids, ran a family farm, and were deeply involved in their community. She loved driving the tractors, lost half a finger during one harvest, and cherished the land; inherited from her very musical Dad a gift for organ playing – did it till she was 92 for churches and organizations all over western Minnesota—and for her brothers, including my Dad in their barbershop quartet. Glen died way too young – and she took over all of the farm management, along with her son.
Her siblings are all gone; so is her son and many of her friends. She’s had cancer and bouts with various other illnesses: So what was it --- what kept her going with all that loss?
Her answer:
-Attitude --- keep it positive.
-Praise your God, whomever that is.
-Keep your head high
-when you encounter people with a bad attitude – encourage them to change – or let them go.
When all else fails – get on your piano and play away till the music makes you sing!
She also says – stay close to your family --we don’t do enough of that today. And they will have your back, if you let them. But communicate. TALK- Don’t let anything fester.
I credit her with pushing me into a career I loved. I turned down the first TV job offered to me … thinking I was going to Europe to hostel away for a summer after college. She heard me. And said – either you accept that job or I’m doing it for you. “Time to work girl … and you’ll be glad you did”. And as usual this hard headed, big hearted pioneer woman was right.
She’s one of a kind – strong, humble, loving, grateful … won numerous awards for her community work; beloved by so many.
She’s been part of my life since the day I was born, a mentor, made me accountable, forced me to face reality, gave me a shot of courage when I needed it most, and above all, taught me to never ever give up.
PS: She Facetimes me all over the world … while salsa dancing in Spain, watching fireworks in China, on the beach in California, while working at the Louvre in Paris. And she smiles and says – I love you – you just keep at it!
