Every weekend for over a year, I have been helping and spending time with an 89-year-old woman named Ann. She is feisty, fun and wise, and this month she turns 90!
Here are seven lessons she has taught me.
1. Bingo is like life.
Yes, we play bingo. Ann tends to win a lot, but sometimes she loses. Through that she has taught me a lesson: sometimes you win, and sometimes you lose, but it's always fun and worth it.
Ann is always excited about bingo, and to her it doesn't matter if she wins— although that's a bonus—but the journey itself is what makes it fun.
2. Don’t be afraid to state your opinion.
Ann is a very opinionated woman, and she is not afraid to say what’s on her mind.
For example, Ann gets cold easily. When we walk around the retirement home that she lives in, she often shouts how cold it is in hopes that someone who works there will hear her and turn on the heat. And when she directly asks for the heat to be turned on, she asks politely. I have now learned to bring her blanket with her wherever she goes.
3. Even if you have nothing going on, you still have something going on.
Ann usually doesn’t have a busy day, but she still has things to do.
Her normal routine consists of eating her meals, reading the newspaper and doing her crossword puzzle. She also turns on the TV just in time for her shows: The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Dr. Phil, Forensic Files, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.
As we were talking she looked at me said, “I hope I’m alive tomorrow; I have things to do.”
I learned from her that everyday holds a new task, and it keeps us going.
4. How to live in the present.
Ann does have Alzheimer’s, but she doesn’t let that stop her.
We’ve had many conversations about her life; however, she does not really remember her childhood. She has pictures to look at to try to help her remember, but she still has trouble.
Even though this is sad disease, she still has a good outlook on life.
She has taught me to live in the moment, and although the past is important, all we can do is live in the present.
5. Laughing is so important.
Ann is a character, and she says a lot of funny things.
This is just one funny conversation we’ve had:
Ann- “Can you cut this tag out of my shirt; it’s driving me crazy!”
Me- “Yeah, I’ll go get some scissors.”
*Cuts tag out of shirt*
Ann- “I want to see it”
*I give it to her*
Ann- “Hmm… Jaclyn Smith, I hate you!”
6. You need to treat yourself.
Every dinner, Ann has a margarita. She says it’s her treat for the day, and after a long day she deserves it.
It's important to give yourself a break and relax.
7. There’s no need to worry.
Ann takes her time and goes day-by-day. She likes to enjoy the day and not stress about tomorrow.
A few months ago, we were watching a Simon and Garfunkel special on PBS, and she was dancing in her chair to the music.
She was enjoying the music and life, and was not worried about anything.
It has been such a blessing spending time with her for the past year. She has taught me a lot, and I look forward to learning more for her.
Happy 90th birthday, Ann!
"Be honest, make friends, believe in God and have fun" -Ann
