Day 32

There is an elderly woman who lives on my lane.  She is 92-years-old, and she is such a character!  She is just over 5 feet tall and probably only weighs 100 pounds.

It's been 90+ degrees here the last couple of days.  Heat doesn't stop her.  I don't think anything could.

Every time I catch a glimpse of her between the trees, she is working.  She never sits around.  I will watch for for long periods of time.  I sound like a stalker.  I'm really not stalking her; I am just in awe of her.

We first met right after we moved in.  I was walking down to the mailboxes, and she was busy picking weeks.  She stopped what she was doing, took her gloves off, and came over to introduce herself.   We talked for a few minutes, and I went on my way. 

Last week, as I was driving past her house, I looked into her yard to see if she was out.  Sure enough, she was.  She was mowing her lawn!  It was 85 degrees, the sun was shining brightly, and she was out mowing...with a push mower! 
She ended up getting her entire yard mowed by the end of the day, and she has a large yard!

Tonight, I went walking down the lane to the mailboxes.  A car began to turn into the lane.  As it approached, I realized it was my neighbor.  What struck me right away was the music in her car.  She was blaring her classical music.  She must have been in her car just jamming out to it! 

She stopped her car by the mailboxes and got out.  She smiled and said, "Well, hello Heather!"  I was thinking, "I've only talked to her once.  She is 92-years-old!  How does she remember my name?"  She walked to the mailbox, with her classical music still playing in the background.  The music did shock me, but not as much as her shiny pink lipstick!  It was beautiful.  I don't know what she had been out doing, but she was doing it with pretty pink lips!

She is so fascinating to me.  She said tha in 1952 she and her husband bought the land where she currently resides, built a house on it, and raised all of their children there.  Her husband passed away many years ago, and she still lives there and keeps everything running smoothly. 

After our conversation, she said, "Well, Heather, let me know if you all need anything.  I'm just a house away!"  Then she smiled and said, "I sure loved watching your little boy play!  It makes me so happy to see young people enjoying this lane again!"

What a gem!  She is 92-years-old and has more energy than most young people I know.  She still drives her little blue car around the community.  She takes care of her own yard.  I recently found out that she will be picking blueberries and then she will make blueberry pies for everyone on the lane!  She takes time out to take care of herself by always having her hair curled and wearing that shiny, pink lipstick!

What has attribued to her longevity?  Is it her work ethic?  Her exercise?  Her diet?  I actually meant to ask her what her diet consisted of.  That will have to come another time.  Does she love and spend time with the Lord?  I need to ask her that next time as well. 

I don't know her secrets...yet.  All I know is that she is amazing and she has really made me feel "at home" here.  She remembered my name, has complimented my children, and she has made herself available if we ever need her. 

One thing is for sure:  I want what she's having!