2 months ago I served lunch to 100 people at a local church with a 92 year old woman, Alice....

[Rowdyboy]

She held her own, though when things got really busy she faltered a bit. Still she kept her place and dished out whatever food she was given until everyone was fed. We fed a crowd of people. I've known her from church for about 10 years. She had silver hair, always wore some shade of purple (which really set off her hair) and always wore large, jangly earrings.

Alice died last Saturday. Her funeral is tomorrow and I will be there. I don't know if she knew this next piece but I bet she would like it...

Warning - When I Am an Old Woman I Shall Wear Purple

By Jenny Joseph




When I am an old woman, I shall wear purple

with a red hat that doesn't go, and doesn't suit me.

And I shall spend my pension on brandy and summer gloves

and satin candles, and say we've no money for butter.

I shall sit down on the pavement when I am tired

and gobble up samples in shops and press alarm bells

and run my stick along the public railings

and make up for the sobriety of my youth.

I shall go out in my slippers in the rain

and pick the flowers in other people's gardens

and learn to spit.



You can wear terrible shirts and grow more fat

and eat three pounds of sausages at a go

or only bread and pickles for a week

and hoard pens and pencils and beer nuts and things in boxes.



But now we must have clothes that keep us dry

and pay our rent and not swear in the street

and set a good example for the children.

We must have friends to dinner and read the papers.

But maybe I ought to practice a little now?

So people who know me are not too shocked and surprised

When suddenly I am old, and start to wear purple.

[madeline_con]

1. Alice, I never knew ye....

but rest in peace. Stay golden, and always wear purple. O8)

[Forkboy]

2. Please give an extra moment of silence for me.

I suspect I would have liked Alice.

[Rowdyboy]

4. She was a sweet spirit....

Very loving even to openly gay folk like my partner and me.

[Forkboy]

15. Afternoon kick for Alice.

:kick:

[peace13]

3. To Alice, what a trooper!

Life is all about the brave souls we meet along the way. Kind thoughts your way for posting this and thoughts of peace for Alice, who now knows life's mystery.

[Rowdyboy]

5. She was a class act....one of a generation of elderly women fast dying out....

They're the last of their era and they will be missed. Their soft southern drawl will die with them....

[peace13]

10. I hear you, my little friend Anne was 99 on October 25th.

She moved here after the 2004 election so she had never registered to vote. When I called the BOE to make sure that they had received her registration form the woman stuttered when she read the birth date. She acted like I was registering the dead. I told her that Anne is the neatest lady, and that she should give the woman a call just for the chance of talking. Yup, Anne voted for Obama and it was a beautiful thing. Peace,Kim

[Lydia Leftcoast]

6. Sounds like some of the old people I know who are great role models for graceful aging

A member of my church died in November after a brief illness. At age 86, she was involved in everything, knew everybody, and rode her bicycle every day.

The longer I live, the more I think that the key to successful aging is staying involved and interested in the larger world instead of concentrating on your own aches and misfortunes.

[Rowdyboy]

7. My backdoor neighbor, Mary Jane, is an 89 year old artist....she still paints....

I could only dream of being that productive at 89. She has a beer (or 2) most every night at 5pm (which I find endearing) and refers to my partner as my "husband" (which blows my mind).

I've had many role models for growing old. I only hope I can do them justice-I'm not sure I have the balls but I'll do my best.

[aquart]

14. I always pause at Jane Wood Way on 19th Street.

That white-haired, ramrod straight old woman saved my apartment for me, saved the homes of hundreds in the Village and Chelsea. I always stop at her sign and thank her.

[abbeyco]

8. Bless you and Bess Alice

You were probably some of the life blood that kept her going - those that give of their lives without selfishness.

Godspeed to Alice - I hope she's at the banquet of her life - it seems she deserves it.

Good on ya, RowdyBoy - you were most likely the light of her life! :hug:

[Rowdyboy]

9. You're very sweet and I hope she is wherever gentle spirits go....

She was very warm and kind to me for no obvious reason and she loved my partner even more. Her friendship was a gift.

[Veritas_et_Aequitas]

11. God rest her soul. nt

[JohnnyLib2]

12. Wonderful story.

She "did it her way."

[aquart]

13. My mom has that poem framed on her wall.

[roguevalley]

16. what a good woman. RIP, Alice. You done good.