Aunt Ruth and I were sitting in her living room talking about the usual topics ranging from the economy to her current discovery of cutting up those small cucumbers you can get at Mark's and putting them into a jar of leftover pickle juice to make some swell snacks, when I found myself asking, "Aunt Ruth, what do you know for sure?"
Without hesitation, she said:
1. Time doesn't ask if you want more time. It keeps going on like a river, so you better take advantage of it!
2. I know for sure that I have many good friends. They are vital to my life, and I have had many of the same friends since I was three.
Then, there was a pause....and she said:
3. I know for sure that getting old is very hard to accept. When I was young, I never thought I'd get old. I know for sure that I have had to accept being old, otherwise I would turn into a miserable old lady, and there are already enough of them!
4. I know for sure that you have to like to eat to be a good cook. You must taste while you cook to know if what you're making is any good.
5. I know for sure that being an aunt is easier than being a parent. I don't have any responsibility as an aunt.
6. I know for sure that being a wife means being truthful.
7. I know for sure that to be a good sister you must love each other, but even more important, you must respect and help each other. I adored my older sister, and I miss her every day.
We sat in silence for a while, and she smiled and said,
"Honey, what I know for sure is that love is the most important thing in your life. It is the greatest gift.
The "getting old is very hard to accept" really hit home. It's true. To me it feels a little bit of loosing control over my body - it acts weird and I have to accept that. I write this out of this very moment where I am a bit shaken about an upcoming surgery - perhaps I'd see it clearer if I were in a different place emotionally.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I like the "list of truths" and it has given me a lot to think about. Especially about friends. I've had very different experiences in that "category".
Beautiful post.
Your aunt is very wise. She has one thing over Oprah, experience! Thanks for sharing with us.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Auth Ruth, for reminding us what is really important in life! Sharing your life experience is a blessing.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE Aunt Ruth and her wisdom. Thank you for sharing her with us.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks for these wise words! :)
ReplyDeleteOh..this is wonderful!! What a wonderful list. Definitely rivals and perhaps even surpasses that of Oprah!!! Thank-you Aunt Ruth for reminding us of all that's truly important!
ReplyDeleteI think Aunt Ruth and Oprah have recognized that living the fullest life boils down to how we love--how we love ourselves, each other, our planet--thank you Honey, for sharing her wisdom once again.
ReplyDeleteI love Aunt Ruth! Period!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post and your Aunt Ruth is a gem. Love this idea for a blog. Very non-"about me," for a refreshing change. Just awesome. :)
ReplyDeleteWise Aunt Ruth makes me take pause again! How true it is that old age seems so far away until we get there! I look at young women and want to tell them the secret, but I just know they won't believe me, hug your partner, your kids, your friends. Never be too shy to say I love you, and treasure each moment, keep a diary and take lots of pictures because someday you really won't remember and you'll look in the mirror and wonder who that old woman is looking back at you! Aunt Ruth knows the secret. You can see it when she smiles! I love you Aunt Ruth.
ReplyDeleteAunt Ruth sure gave very sound nuggets of wisdom. She is someone I'd love to sit and listen to. Thank you for sharing,:-)
ReplyDelete