still keeping up her routine with Gracie
As many of you know, my darling Aunty is very sick. She is 87 years old with advanced pancreatic cancer. She has not eaten any solid food for five weeks. Her body is weak. Yet, she is smiling. She laughs. She jokes. She still draws people in. I am continually amazed at her strength and courage. Her joie de vivre is unmatched. You have to see her to believe her, but, that is where this blog comes in. I hope to convey even a sliver of my Aunty’s wonderful spirit with my words. And, maybe even inspire you (and myself) to take our life up a notch, because we see through Aunty’s resiliency and happy heart that every breath is an extraordinary gift.
Aunty has no food in her body, yet, she got up to answer the door a few days ago! She tried getting herself out of bed this morning. And a few minutes ago she told me… you give me a happy life. She keeps thanking me. We bond closer every moment. Our love continues to blossom. I put flowers in her hair and all around her. I snuggle up next to her and hold her close. No matter how much time I spend with her it will never be enough.
I bought her the softest, coziest, and warmest, Martha Stewart down alternative comforter. She sleeps like a baby with a soft angelic smile. My friend Rory says “Aunty’s happy as a lark.” If there is a moral to this post, or a deeper meaning behind it, it is to live life to the fullest…every moment, every day, NO MATTER WHAT! If my precious and beloved Aunty, under her current circumstances can still dance (even if I have to hold her up), and sing, and pray (every night), and continue giving (she keeps giving her heart to me and those who come to our door. She lights up, reaches out to them, and tells them how lovely they are, then with all she has… she thanks them for coming to see her), than we can make the most of each day and our own set of circumstances. Maybe we can give of ourselves a little bit more than we thought we could. We can get up and dance, no matter how we feel, just to lift our spirits. We can always say one more prayer.
Those of you who have had the privilege of spending some time with Aunty know exactly what I mean! She is a miraculous woman. Her selfless humility and inherent goodness are genuine. If I can typify even one tenth of her magic through this blog than you will feel really good when you are here. Following Ageless with Aunty is the next best thing to actually being in her presence. I give you my word of honor. Not one word of this post is exaggerated in any way. If anything, the words do not do her justice.
From this moment forward, my work is dedicated to our Aunty’s life and spirit. Like her, Ageless with Aunty will thrive, spread joy, and ask nothing in return. We’ll live to give. Amen.
Long Live Aunty!
