Mauri and Sherry

Posted By Sherry on April 10, 2008

Just so we’re all together here, MomEdna is Mauri’s first wife’s mom. She and I have talked often about life’s system of give and take. What was taken from her—her only daughter at age 42—and what was taken from me—my only mother at age 74—have, in a sense, been given back to each of us. We feel blessed! Edna has been mom to me for 13+ years now, enough time for me to observe her unique abilities. But every day seems to bring new surprises.

I don’t want this to sound as though DadKenneth held her back from enjoying life; that wasn’t the case at all. They were partners in 65 years of life before he died two years ago. But that was a turning point for Edna, and we marveled at the way she embraced her new life as a single. She moved into a double unit at Friendsview Retirement Community and quickly said yes to many if not most of the activities offered there. She went hot-air ballooning and white-water rafting, rode the OHSU tram, joined the line dancing class…to name a few.

That’s her, to the right of the flag, stepping out at the talent show. Did I mention she’ll be 89 next month?

She’s also learned to use a computer and send e-mail. This note arrived from her this morning:

Dear Sherry, I woke up this morning to try to decipher some of what I have
Learned in computer class by Jeff Stanfield. The problem is that he tells
what to do on a DELL, but I kept at it on this MAC and got “there was a
little girl with a curl” and MUCH MORE!!! THANK YOU!! Very interesting;
you do have so much talent in expressing yourself in words!
Today, is my time from 11;00 to 1:00 to be in the market! I’ll sandwich
lunch in some time. LOVE & MUCH APPRECIATION, Mom Edna

I think it’s rather ironic that she complimented my writing ability when she wrote that prize-winning sentence — “I’ll sandwich lunch in some time.” And I’m going to guess she didn’t give it a thought.

Add one more ability to my Edna-admiration list. She’s a kick in the pants and a real example to follow. She helps me not worry so much about growing old.

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