She is 91.
She is small.
She is powerful.
She is filled with God’s Spirit.
She wears bootcut jeans
with a white shirt
and a leather belt.
She comes to Higher Ground
to pray
and play the piano
for the hymns we sing.
She brings lunch
for the folks who gather
and are hungry.
Finding her center and balance,
she puts one foot in front of the other.
We hold our breath
as she goes down the steps.
She follows her walker
to the curb.
It takes a while.
Her ride waits.
A red sports car slows to a stop.
The driver must idle
as cars pass on the other side.
His tires squeal his anger
as he accelerates
past the older black sedan.
Our writing group pauses.
We lift our heads up, shocked.
She buckles her seatbelt.
Her driver takes her home.
We take a long, deep breath.
We are all just children of God
doing the best that we can.
Sounds like she would be an interesting woman with whom to sit down and drink tea. I admire her pluck!
Me, too, Donna.
I am at the age of watching those older than myself, breath held–old enough to watch with sympathy and admiration knowing what a triumph it is to simply keep going.
When the time comes I hope I will be wearing bootcut jeans and bringing lunch for those who need it.
You’re exactly right–“old enough to watch with sympathy and admiration”. I’m there, too.
She looks better in those jeans than i do.
What a fascinating vignette! I hope I am able to live for others–and ride in a sports car–when I am 91!
i think living for others may be how we live well for as long as we have.
(I can’t get out of a sports car now!)