#sol14 March 24 You can still smile and choose joy at 91

In '23, it's likely your dad stopped by to see your mom, up in their bedroom at the end of his workday.  "Anna," he probably said, "how are you and this new baby doing?" 
When you were born, it's possible Anna and Jeremiah were hoping for a boy; after all, you were the 7th girl in a row and the "older boys" were getting ready to leave the farm to head off to the Army or to college!
In '23, back on the farm, there were concerns about another mouth to feed even though there was joy in your safe and healthy arrival.

At '91, you can remember life on the farm, but also living for most of your life in Brooklyn and working in the city.  You can reflect on your "country condo" next to your sister-in-law, and think that your journey has taken you where you were supposed to go. 

In '14, you have been retired for many years.  Working now is physical therapy a few times a week.

At '91, life is very different, but you find joy in Days of Our Lives and those endless episodes of CSI.

In '14, your siblings, even your younger brother, have all passed.

At 91, you wonder who will be at your birthday party, especially if you never married or had children.

In '14, your hearing is going.  You need those around you to talk one at a time, slowly and with clarity.  You need a hearing aide even though you claim that you have "selective" hearing loss.

At 91, your vision is going, especially if you had major surgery, with lots of anesthesia last summer, after you broke you hip.  You need large font print for sure!  You can't do those crossword puzzles from the paper anymore.  Hopefully, your niece will give you a large print puzzle book!

In '14, you move slowly, particularly if you are recovering from that really bad broken hip.  Most people do not recover, but you are among the lucky ones and you move slowly, hesitantly with a walker for support.

At 91, you need some help to live in your own place.  You need help dressing, bathing, cooking and doing laundry!

In '14, you can still enjoy a slice of ice cream cake.  You remember Sundays on the farm and the homemade chocolate ice cream that you would make and eat - every last drop of it!

At '14, if you are lucky enough to still have a pancreas that is working, you can enjoy cookies and candy; thus, those York peppermint patties are a big hit!  Who cares about watching your weight at this point!

At 91, a birthday party is still a fun affair but it is subdued,  There are a few family members and a few laughs, most of which you don't hear all that well, and a few stories that you share. 

In '14, you can still smile and choose to find joy in your day, 91 short years after that first day!