Yesterday was the 100th birthday of my wife’s cousin. We were privileged to be among the crowd of friends and relatives who gathered for a celebration of the century mark for this unbelievably chipper and bright woman who has been a major part of my wife’s life for nearly seven decades. They are kindred spirits in many, many ways.
This is the first time I’ve ever been to a 100th birthday celebration. I’ve participated vicariously over the years with Willard Scott on the Today Show as he highlighted the lives of centenarians. It’s not the same.
My wife has been a part of a number of these occasions through her work with elderly residents. But when that person is a member of your own family, it makes it even more poignant. That is multiplied exponentially when the centenarian is bright, articulate, funny, and fully in charge of the events surrounding her. “Aunt Margaret,” as she is known to her family and friends, is a piece of work!
Our conversations with her over the past decade have been filled with great stories of her life, reflections on the current political scene, commentary on the doings of the Episcopal Church, sports, the latest book she is reading, and her frustration with the “old people” in the assisted living residence where she has thrived for the last five years. Last night she was recounting for my wife her thoughts about Mitch Albom’s book, Have a Little Faith, which she just read for the fourth time.
Her great-nephew, Paul, was telling us last night that one of his most vivid discussions with her revolved around her memory of being in Quincy, Massachusetts, as a girl and watching the horse-drawn fire vehicle come careening around the corner as she and her family emerged from church one Sunday morning. He said her description of the event was so vivid that he could feel the energy of the racing horses, foam spouting from their mouths, and the sound of the clanging bell filling the air.
You see, Margaret is a writer. You won’t find her name on author lists, although it should be there. She was, and still is for the most part, a writer of the most unbelievable letters. Thankfully, Paul has saved every one of them he has ever received from her. They are all “keepers.” And the parish newsletter she edited for her tiny church in Prescott, Arizona, was filled with awesome wisdom and sparks of humor. I think we convinced Paul that they need to be brought together into a publication. Even if it never happens, her words on paper have been an inspiration for uncountable numbers of people over the years, their lives changed by her wisdom, her sometimes naughty commentary, and her recollections of earlier days.
As an “in-law” at this event, I had some time to reflect on things, and I found myself thinking about the impact of Margaret’s writing. Clearly, it was not written with eyes looking over the recipient’s shoulder to some potential publication at a later date. It was immediate, personal, and genuine. If no one else ever saw it, that was not an issue. It was written for this person, at this time, in this place.
There is something to be gained from this reflection. As a writer, my gift from Margaret may be just that. Writing for the now, for a specific reason, and with sincerity and integrity. That’s a huge obligation to take on one’s shoulders. But take it from a lady who just hit the century mark: it’s the only way to go.
Happy 100th birthday, Margaret Coulson Martin. What a privilege to be a part of your life.
Photo Credit: weltycommons
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What a wonderful occasion … and an important reminder.