Simply Grand

“An old woman is like an old barn.

They both look better with a coat of paint.”

So quipped my pastor.

I told him I disagreed on both counts. Someday I’ll yak all about my love of old barns, but my thoughts this morning are about my love of old women.

I’m blessed to know a group of women so old that they’re approaching the century mark. That’s right… an entire group of ladies all nearly one hundred years old.

And still active.

Faithfully, they attend Sunday School and church and mid week prayer meetings, some still driving themselves to get there. It's the husband’s great privilege to help them from car to building….

and up the steps…

because they still take the steps.

He’s also their substitute teacher. Considering the fact that he has to secure a substitute for his own class to do it, you might find that odd.  Considering these women, you wouldn’t find it odd at all.

They range from 90 to 99 in that class…

And they take notes.

The husband is convinced that their passion for learning is one of the secrets to their fountain of youth. Once a month, they meet to discuss all things literary in their book club. They call it…

Girls Reading in the South

GRITS, for short.

They’re not only faithful; they’re spunky.

Last year, we asked the ones in our DAR chapter to try a little convertible ride in the local festival parade. They jumped at the chance, some of them insisting that they would sit not in the back seat but on it.

In their western wear no less.

Did I mention that they’re spunky?

Last Sunday afternoon, the DAR held an open house for our historical home. Of course, they came. I snapped this picture of two of them relaxing on the porch.

(No. That's not the Duchess in the sassy hat...)

The young lady on the left is 98.

She was born the day the Titanic went down.

The one on the right is 99.

 She’s usually the designated driver.

Could they be any more beautiful?

If you’re wondering where I’m going with this ramble,

 it’s this:

Sometimes you’re just in the right place at the right time.

So it was for me last Sunday as these two wonderful old ladies decided to tour the house. While the 99 year old can steady herself with a cane, the younger one needs a bit more assistance.

Because I was standing there yakking with  them, I got the honor. So with one hand on her cane and the other hand in mine, the grand old lady strolled through the grand old house.

With me.

Funny thing about walking with old people.

You measure your steps…

And you stop...

Often.

And you listen intently to what they have to say. After ten decades, their vocal chords aren’t as strong as they used to be. Their minds, however, are as strong as ever.

So I got a personal tour of my favorite old home with a legend of living history by my side. She told me all about the first renovation. She knew details that weren’t written in any records.

Old folks generally do.

When we reached the staircase, I asked if she planned to venture upstairs. She twinkled her eyes at me and said, “Maybe not today, Debbie.”  But she glanced up the stairs, and I could tell that she wanted to. I almost believe that she would have let the husband carry her up there had she not been wearing a skirt.

Not really.

 You see, besides being faithful and spunky,

 she is first and foremost

a lady.

A very grand old lady.

And this week’s simple pleasure was taking a stroll with her.

*****

Sharing this today with my blog friend Dayle at
A Collection of This and That

Please meander over there for more