Savoring the Senior’s Moments

As we listened to the old familiar tunes heads were bobbing in agreement and pleasure. The room was filled with very old people in the Senior’s residence. The path way had to be maintained for the walkers to get through – from the parking lot of walkers already accumulated. That alone spoke to the average age of those attending.

It was a special afternoon concert that my mom and I were attending. The older folk performing were decked out in dark slacks and white shirts. The men had on bright green, oversized bow ties that shimmered as they moved around. All of the group members had on Green neck garlands. This was the Activity Haven’s Songsters performing at Royal Gardens in Peterborough.

The songs were old and many were Irish in origins. St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner and on this particular afternoon everyone was Irish – or had some Irish in them.

At one particular song a very tender moment happened in front of where I was sitting. A very old man was sitting beside a very old lady – she with her walker and he with his cane responded to the music. He slowly slipped his arm around her and hugged her. She turned to meet his gaze and grinned from ear to ear. Then their heads leaned toward each other and he kissed her on the side of her face. They smiled for a long time at each other as the song went on.

Their age I am guessing was likely 88 through to 94 years.

The strains of the melody had touched them deeply and they had responded. If it had been quite a few years back they would have been in each other’s arms gracefully moving to the music in a very beautiful slow dance. For now a lean toward each other was enough and a tight hug that lasted for the whole song.

I am only guessing but I imagine that 75 years ago they sat in a movie theatre on their first date and held hands for the first time. Maybe the first kiss tasted of popcorn.

In the break time when we had coffee together the conversation was fun. An older lady spoke to me of her deep loss with husband’s passing about six years ago. Now she just enjoyed someone to talk to on these afternoons together. Some one that would listen as her voice dropped telling of her loss she felt as her favorite Labrador Pup was put to sleep a few years back.

A very wrinkled older lady sitting in front of me was a delight to watch as the group sang. She had her eyes closed and was enraptured with the music. She sang along with every song – knowing every word with out any hesitation. At the end of the song her twisted arthritic hands went together quickly to express her appreciation. She was lost in her personal joy. Her daughter told me later that her mom always sings songs at ALL Family functions – she simply loves her music.

We all waited for a few moments as one of the singers stood slowly from his seat and walked carefully forward. Adorned in a jaunty bright green tam and holding his walking stick tightly he stood forward to begin singing with a gusto that was hard to believe. No words needed here… he knew his part and was savoring the moment. No one moved as this 95 year old soloist held everyone in awe. Amazing – simply amazing!

He had been preceded by a 92 year old lady that sung a brilliant solo as her part in the presentation.

This was a relived “rock concert” of the 1940s where deeply moved young adults had swayed back and forth to the music on a beach somewhere far away.

I was spell bound to say the least. One problem for me was the bright sunshine that flooded down through the windows far above – added to the soft and beautiful stains of music I fell asleep on the couch. The old fellow on the chair in front of me had done the same. Together we were like a cat sitting in the warm sunshine and purring to the peace we felt around us.

This was a Senior’s Moment that was simply amazing.

This getting old is not so bad after all. But if they would have had some “Rock and Roll” beating a familiar theme I could have got more into it… you know the High School Stuff that some of us 65 something-s used to enjoy so much at the Sock Hop.

Recently Alida and I watched a movie together entitled “The Boynton Beach Bereavement Club” this past week. In the movie older folk like us were walking through the steps of grief that followed the loss of their spouse. NO – it wasn’t sad – but rather a deeply funny mix with romance, tension and some fun. Together at a community group they found each other… thus a few romances and a few very funny interactions made us laugh together.

I couldn’t recommend this one to a church crowd – but it might do some of them good to see it.

The one description of the movie states…
A romantic comedy about the human capacity to rebound and fall in love at any age. Lois, Harry, Marilyn, Sandy and Jack live in an "Active Adult" community in Boynton Beach, Florida. Their lives intersect when they meet at a local Bereavement Club where they go to find emotional support after the loss of a loved one. For anyone who thinks that new love and romance ends long before retirement…

As we sat together my mom’s foot tapped to each song. Her “Kirkpatrick” roots were still there.

Together savoring…

~ Murray Lincoln ~
www.murraylincoln.com

There's a tear in your eye,
And I'm wondering why,
For it never should be there at all.
With such pow'r in your smile,
Sure a stone you'd beguile,
So there's never a teardrop should fall.
When your sweet lilting laughter's
Like some fairy song,
And your eyes twinkle bright as can be;
You should laugh all the while
And all other times smile,
And now, smile a smile for me.

When Irish eyes are smiling,
Sure, 'tis like the morn in Spring.
In the lilt of Irish laughter
You can hear the angels sing.
When Irish hearts are happy,
All the world seems bright and gay.
And when Irish eyes are smiling,
Sure, they steal your heart away.

For your smile is a part
Of the love in your heart,
And it makes even sunshine more bright.
Like the linnet's sweet song,
Crooning all the day long,
Comes your laughter and light.
For the springtime of life
Is the sweetest of all
There is ne'er a real care or regret;
And while springtime is ours
Throughout all of youth's hours,
Let us smile each chance we get.

When Irish eyes are smiling,
Sure, 'tis like the morn in Spring.
In the lilt of Irish laughter
You can hear the angels sing.
When Irish hearts are happy,
All the world seems bright and gay.
And when Irish eyes are smiling,
Sure, they steal your heart away.

Sources:
Boynton Beach Club
Boynton Beach Club -2
Irish Eyes
http://www.contemplator.com/ireland/irisheye.html