Aunt Jessie is 102 Today!

Yes, it is time to brag on Aunt Jessie again! She is 102 today!

Because of my study of our family's genealogy I knew that on Dad's side we have had some long-livers! His Uncle John Friesen got to be 104. We were at his 100th birthday party in Herbert, SK. Dad's parents and a number of other relatives reached the late 90s in their ages. But now we have just two of his sisters left. Aunt Jessie was born after Dad and then their brother John. She is still with us, albeit in a care home in Vancouver (or more into Burnaby, BC).

The youngest in that family is Aunt Jean in Toronto, whom I went to viit in 1971 and ended up staying in her apartment and taking up with her friends as my friends. She is in her 80s.

I used to tease Dad after Mom died, that he and I were stuck with each other for a long haul as it really looked like he was in fairly good health and could easily reach the age of 100 too. He went for long walks along the highway after breakfast, had a nap after lunch, and then puttered in his workshop or the garden in the afternoon. He was also a shoe repairman and people came from far and wide to drop off shoes, boots, hockey equipment, swather canvases, etc., for him to fix in his basement workshop.

If anyone dropped by in the evenings (well any time), Dad would come alive as a storyteller. (See? I come by that trait honestly). He did complain of cold hands and feet, so when he heard about alpaca fibre he wanted some to make into yarn so he could knit mitts and socks for himself.

I don't have time just now for that story... so on another day, okay?

Anyway, Dad died at 91 and 4 days, but Aunt Jessie, ever the optimist, though now her memory is getting a bit fuzzy, has reached 102 today.

I'd reminded myself of that a number of times over the last few months, but last week, while talking with Aunt Jean on the phone I realized that if I wanted to send Aunt Jessie a birthday card or any little gifts I better get a move-on! Once I had it done, I deliberately jumped up and drove to the postal outlet where I usually buy stamps, etc. and asked if it could still make it for this Tuesday. The attendant said the regular rate would take 7 days, but I could pay extra and get it there in 3 days. So it cost me just about $20, but I think she has received my card and some extras yesterday or today.

Her daughter Iris had a party for her Mom for her 100th Birthday two years ago, but last year, what with the COVID Crisis she was not able to invite others into the care home. I understand it is similar this year, so just a private little fuss in her Mom's room.

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