Question 1: What’s the best part of growing older?
Growing older isn’t for the faint-hearted! Yet, the best part of aging gracefully is gratitude finding those silver lining moments of past childhood and adult years.
Then always add ways to enjoy every moment in the here and now. Could I throw in offering some sage advice every once in a while? Hopefully, whoever hears it will welcome it. But if they don’t, my other hope is they will extend grace to this grey-haired lady who can’t seem to keep her mouth closed at times!
Question 2: In one sentence, how would you describe your relationship with your mother?
I know I was loved by my mother with all her heart. However, we were not always very close, more on my part for not taking the time to be with her. I am sure Mom was often lonely and very sad, missing having a life with her adult daughter who lived in Texas, particularly in those later years. Fortunately, I was with her during her final time on earth. My solace with her passing offers me the promise that I will see her again one day. We will both catch up on having fun together for all eternity!
Question 3: What do you admire most about your mother and father?
I admire them both for their perseverance and love for each other through all the rough years, heartache, and pain.
Question 4: How many people do you love?
As a child, everyone! Even though I was a shy one, the paradox was it just seemed easy during those innocent years. Being the Pollyanna during my early years was actually a blessing in disguise. It was easy to care about anyone who crossed my path.
As adulthood fast approached, I found myself working hard at just being considerate, trying to trust. As the difficult and painful memories said hello in later years, to truly love others even when they couldn’t be trusted was the paramount challenge. Yet, with four deaths of family members and close friends early in my adult life, the experience gave me an appreciation of those who showed love and care for one another, even when it was hard to do so.
Question 5: In one word, how would you describe your childhood?
Poignant.
Question 6: Are you more like your mom or your dad? In what way?
I am more like my mother in the way she persevered, found ways to laugh and be positive about life, and her determined faith, even amid her pain and sorrow through the years.
Question 7: Would you rather your child be less attractive and extremely intelligent or extremely attractive and less intelligent?
Since both my daughters are extremely intelligent and attractive, they were both doubly blessed! Yet, if I had to choose, less attractive and extremely intelligent would be my combination choice. Both attractiveness and/or intelligence can carry a sober weight in life for anyone.
With the world we live in that worships the beauty of youth and tends to restrain intelligence if it doesn’t fit the current culture, it’s a difficult choice to make. One thing for sure, youth and beauty eventually fade into wrinkles. My hope though is intelligence will find its place in this world and gift a child with wisdom beyond their years.
And as I have witnessed with both my daughters reaching their 40’s, they have discovered a beauty and attractiveness that is far deeper and richer than what is only skin-deep.