Thursday, March 6, 2014

Rock of the Aged

My sweet father in law passed away suddenly last week. He was the youngest of 14 children, born when his mom was 46 years old. They are a remarkable family. Incredibly, he still has an older sister, 88, and an older brother, 93, who survive him. Their dad was 98 when he passed away and their mom 103, so it was understandable when Tia (Auntie), the older sister, lamented that my father in law was “taken too young” at 86.

She still lives by herself and although she sits on two fluffy pillows to see over the steering wheel, she drove herself in her new car over two hours to get to the services. I love to be around the elderly, and I especially love her. She taught for 43 years and worked for the district in different capacities for another 20 years after that, only retiring in 2012. These are nuggets of wisdom straight from her mouth.

·        On passing several police officers whose belts and clothing strained to contain large overhangs: Why is it men these days have such huge bellies? (She rolls down her passenger side window) Honey, you need to put down the cerveza (beer) and pick up some dumb bells! Those criminals aren’t going to slow down to a walk to let you catch them!

·        On a much younger relative who has started wearing dread locks: Such a shame he has done that. Is he trying to be one of those rapping stars? Balding plus those braid things…they just don’t go together. He needs to look for his lost common sense the next time he looks in the mirror.

·        On the small, pearl handled pistol in her glove compartment, for which she has a permit: My daddy taught me to shoot when I was 6 years old and I haven’t ever forgotten. Don’t worry, I don’t pull it out too much anymore. It’s just if someone tries to rob me, or if I see a good buck at the ranch.

·        On New York City, where her only child, a son, is a physician and hospital administrator: I’d always heard people from New York are unfriendly and rude. But I solved that. I just look them in the eye, smile, and say, “Aren’t you beautiful!” And I nearly always get at least a little smile back. People need someone to tell them that, at least once a day.


·        On how active she is: I exercise every day. I even put on some shorts and a cute t-shirt when I do, even though it’s always at home. I turn on the music really loud and I move. That’s the key to anything you want to be successful at, especially living. Keep moving and don’t ever stop.

88 comments:

  1. Oh I am so sorry about your Father in Law.
    Your Auntie Tia is a wonderful older sister and I love the way she says what she feels and does what she wants may God bless her she is doing just fine.She is so right about the line “Aren’t you beautiful!”and that smile "People need someone to tell them that, at least once a day" wise words..it would melt even the toughest person. It is hard to watch your younger brothers or sisters move on before you. HUGS B

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Buttons: I love those two lines as well. And thank you!

      Delete
  2. My sympathy on the loss of your father-in-law, Shelly. It's hard to lose any loved one. May your memories sustain you.

    Your husband's aunt sounds like a person who lives life completely. And loves it completely, also.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. jenny_o: Thank you so much, my friend. And that she is!

      Delete
  3. Shelly, I sensed that something happened last week and now I know. I am truly sorry for your loss and please convey my sympathies to your husband. I wish your father-in-law could have enjoyed the longevity that runs in his family. Of all the wisdom imported by Aunt Tia, the last item resonates most with me. They say some species of sharks must keep moving at all times to survive and that is a powerful example for humans who tend to become more sedentary as they age.

    Again I offer my condolences to you, your husband and your entire family, dear friend Shelly.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Shady: Your sensitive heart rings true, my friend. Thank you so much for your kind words of comfort. And it is true- we must keep moving, always.

      Delete
  4. I'm sorry to hear about the passing of your father-in-law. On the other side, your Aunt sounds like a real character. I think she gives out a lot of good advise. Especially, "keep moving and don't ever stop!" Love that...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pat: She is truly a character! I love to just sit and listen to her~

      Delete
  5. My condolences on the loss of your father-in-Law. It would seem that you are related to some remarkable people.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Stephen: I do count myself very blessed. Thank you~

      Delete
  6. Auntie sounds like quite a character! Sorry for the loss of your father-in-law.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sherry: She is seriously funny- I wish everyone could know her!

      Delete
  7. How wonderful to have such a marvelous family. I am so sorry for your loss but admire these wonderful people you have had impact your life. LOVE your description of your aunt and her wonderful nuggets of wisdom!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Linda: Thank you so much- I am thankful that there are the sweet moments with her, even amidst the sorrow.

      Delete
  8. I was so sorry to hear that Joe's dad had passed away, and at such a young age (according to Aunt Tia!). I send my sincere sympathy to all of you. Gosh, his sister sounds like such a character. I absolutely love all her sayings! What an inspiration she must be.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. thisisme: Thank you, sweet friend. Yes, she is all that and more!

      Delete
  9. Don't ever stop taking those walks, that's what my grandma said.

    Tia sounds like a hoot. :-) Your whole family is what is right with America.

    And again, a big hug to you and Joe.

    Pearl

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pearl: Our older generations have surely been onto something. I love all their wisdom. And thank you~

      Delete
  10. I'm sorry about your father-in-law, and I'm glad you can describe him as sweet. The "tia" anecdotes are great.

    Love,
    Janie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Janie: He was a very good man. And I wish Tia would have written a book long ago~

      Delete
  11. So sorry to hear about your father-in-law Shelly. May he rest peacefully and my prayers and thought to you all.
    I adore his spunky older sister! Yup. keep moving....it's the only way :-) xx Jazzy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. jazzygal: Absolutely- moving, moving, moving! And thank you~

      Delete
  12. Your husband has some good genetics there. Sorry for your loss of a loved one. As your Tia advises, "Keep moving and don't ever stop."

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. vanilla: Thank you, and wise advice indeed~

      Delete
  13. Dearest Shelly;
    Let me express my sincere condolences to your husband, you and all of your family, my friend! Oh, it is really understandable his passing away was early! Amazing to read the longevity in your husband's family.
    As for "The nuggets of wisdom of Tia" let me read again later for me to understand completely. Seems really inspirational.
    It is so hard for our age to lose loved ones, isn't it!!! My thoughts for your family;

    Sending you Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan to my dear friend in America, xoxo Miyako*

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. orchid Miyako: Thank you, my dear friend, for your very kind and heartfelt words. They bring comfort in our time of sorrow. And the nuggets of wisdom are just funny things she says and does. She's very set in her ways and says pretty much exactly what she thinks. Thank you again! xo

      Delete
    2. Oh Shelly; I really LOVED to read all of her wisdom! The last two, if I'm right it can be called "role of life" from her. "Smile" I always keep in mind, but "exercise" haha not like her and you I cannot push myself into it(^^;)
      Sweet lady with witty sense of humor and admirable, isn't she♡♡♡

      Have a wonderful Sunday, my dear friend♬♬♬

      Delete
    3. Orchid Miyako: Yes, my dear friend, that is exactly what it is! I hope to he as active as she is when I am her age. And I hope your Sunday has been wonderful! xo

      Delete
  14. I'm sorry to hear about your father-in-law. My condolences.

    Tia sounds awesome, btw. Love her comment about the pearl-handled pistol. Tia packs heat! Lol. She has much wisdom to pass down. Glad you are recording some of it.

    Be well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Janette Dolores: Ah, thank you. It's just never easy, no matter how elderly they are. And she is something! I do not want to be around if she ever pulls that pistol out!

      Delete
  15. My condolences. I'll bet Aunty Tia could have her own witty website and teach these young whipper snappers a thing or two.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Linda: Oh, she would have plenty to say, that's for sure! Thank you~

      Delete
  16. I am sorry to hear about your father-in-law.
    Auntie Tia sounds like she is quite the character. I love being with the elderly too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dawn: I could sit and listen to the elderly all day. They are filled with so many wonderful stories, if people will just listen. And thank you~

      Delete
  17. I'm sorry to hear of your family's loss. Your aunt is so precious! I loved her words of wisdom!!

    betty

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. betty: Thank you- and I so love that sweet lady!

      Delete
  18. Feeling sorry for your loss.
    Your aunt is so bright enough to handle things...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Weekend Windup: Thank you, and I think she would handle most things better than people less than half her age!

      Delete
  19. Well, first of all, the loss of an endearing family member is always heart breaking. I carry you all in my heart at this time. But...then going on and reading this wise woman's thoughts just cracked me up!! She is one pistol!!! And not the pearl handled kind either. Can you imagine? Exercising to the oldies but goodies at her age?!!! More power to her!! 'Go granny, go granny, go granny GO'. But then, after typing that, I'm sure she'd reprimand me for calling her Granny!! And on top of that, she'd probably tell me to put down that chocolate bar and swing to the music.

    If it wasn't so early, I could go for an icy cerveza. Maybe with my burrito topped with extra cheese and a more than a serving sized dollop of sour cream. [please, don't tell her!!!]

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HOOTIN ANNI: A pistol she is, for sure! She doesn't suffer fools, and so I'm always careful to mind my p's and q's in her presence~ and thank you!

      Delete
  20. My deepest and sincerest condolences on the loss of your father-n-law. And Auntie sounds like such a delight! I love her tidbits and musings that you shared here :0

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Optimistic: Oh, what fun she is! And thank you~

      Delete
  21. I'm so sorry for your loss of your father-in-law. But your Tia! I love her! I can just see her driving along. I'm smiling as I type. Great wisdom. I totally agree about keep moving :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Carol: She is amazing- and just gets more so the older she gets. It's so much fun to be around her. And thank you~

      Delete
  22. Sorry to hear of your loss, Shelly. I love your aunt's sense of humour!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Linda: I think she could have her own show!

      Delete
  23. I'm sorry to hear about your father-in-law, and I'm sending hugs and prayers to you and your family from CT. Tia's wisdom was cracking me up, especially the one about her gun. She's my kind of people.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Amy: She is something else! And thank you so much~

      Delete
  24. My family's and my prayers are with you and your family. So sorry to hear about you father - in Law.
    Every family needs a aunt like yours who is wonderfully delighting.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Munir: Thank you, friend. And yes, someone like her brightens any family~

      Delete
  25. Prayers to your family, sweet Shelly...and thanks for sharing these. Loved loved loved them. Made my day. She is a gem.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Christine: That she truly is! And thank you so much~

      Delete
  26. OH, I'm so sorry for you loss. Prayers for you and your husband and his family.

    I love that you took note of the things Tia said...loved the comment about people in New York. Isn't that the truth about us all? Such wisdom she has. Had to laugh about the gun in her glove box. So funny. I'm sure she's a tough cookie and any crook would be sorry he came across her!!

    Thanks for looking at the good things in life, even at sad times like the loss of someone. That is why funerals are so important, isn't it? That personal contact with people.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jamie: We were just saying that even in all the sadness of losing my father in law, it was so sweet to get to see all the extended family. And about her gun- I hope she never tries to shoot a deer with it. They probably all outweigh her by a lot! I can't even imagine what she'd do if she got one!

      Delete
  27. This sat on my computer since yesterday...finally got to it! Don't give up on me, I just like to save you for quiet, uninterrupted time!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jamie: That makes me feel really good- thank you, my friend!

      Delete
  28. Dear Shelly, I am so sorry to learn of the loss of your father in law. I love your Tia's wisdom and especially chuckled about her wearing a cute t shirt, turning up the music and dancing! Forever young! That's the way I hope to be. Keeping you always in my prayers. I hope that the good memories keep rolling in for all of you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jenny: Thank you so much, my friend. I've been so touched by your words of comfort through this whole thing. And yes- forever young! We will be dancing to 90's music in our 90's!

      Delete
  29. Sorry to hear about your loss for some 86 is still young for others it is very old depends on the person.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jo-Anne: You are so right. For some it is elderly, and for others it is the prime of life.

      Delete
  30. Auntie sounds adorable...and feisty! Love it. Sorry her brother was taken too young. My Dad is 93 and his mother lived to be 104, so I can relate to it being too young. My mom's only 84. But to each of us our time will come. Auntie has the right idea. Live life well while you are here. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rita: Live life well while you are here is exactly right! We have to make the most of however many days we have here.

      Delete
  31. I'm so sorry about your father in law.

    I think people in NYC are just being like people in a city. You're surrounded by people, so you can't look everyone in the eye and say hi. It's a different mindset. But when people say hi, you say hi back. People said that about Paris too, but I found everyone to be nice.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Theresa: It's been some years since I've been to Paris, but I found the same thing. The ones I talked to were nice enough, and the others were all in city mode. Good point, and thank you.

      Delete
    2. I have a feeling you're the kind of person who invites people to talk to you just by your very presence.

      Delete
    3. Theresa: I really do love visiting with people- :)

      Delete
  32. Oh wow! "Aren't you beautiful!" Tia is absolutely right. People do need to hear this every day, and what a great way to approach life!
    Very sorry for your loss, but love these nuggets of wisdom. Bless you both.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dawn: She is a font of these! And thank you. Loved, loved your last post~

      Delete
  33. I'm sorry that your husband lost his dad; I hope the Lord comforts him, and all your family.

    I'd love for Tia to live next door to me! We'd get down and boogie together!

    ReplyDelete
  34. An inspiration indeed! Have you heard of a documentary called "Fabulous Fashionistas"? I saw it recently and it has inspired me to be a sassy old lady.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bossy Betty: I will be looking for that show. And sassy is a wonderful thing to be!

      Delete
  35. As you've honored your father-in-law in this post, I know you will miss him. Blessings to you, your husband, and all who loved him.

    Your "Tia" is adorable! I would highly respect her and her opinions if I had the opportunity to meet her. I'm sure she'd make me laugh, too.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anita: Thank you so much, friend. Tia is pretty amazing- I hope I'm like her when I'm her age!

      Delete
  36. Sorry about your father in law - your Auntie sounds like someone I could hang with!

    ReplyDelete
  37. Sorry for your loss, Shelly. Your Auntie has a sense of humor and it seems like your husband has longevity in his gene pool!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Oh Shelley, I've only just seen this because I am recovering after an operation and not been blogging a lot. I'm so sorry that your father in law passed away. My condolences to you and all your family. I'm sure he's left you all with some beautiful memories and stories of the past.

    Auntie Tia, sounds like a right handful of fun. I just love some of the things she said, and I'd love to spend a day with her.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rum Punch: I'm so very sorry- I do hope you are recuperating quickly. And thank you for your kind words. I wish every family had a Tia like her~

      Delete
  39. Dear Shelly, Tia sounds delightful. I bet she's mostly the belle of the ball when you all get together. The life of the party. I enjoyed all her "nuggets of wisdom," but the following spoke to me so clearly--like a bell ringing--right now where I am in my life: "I move. That’s the key to anything you want to be successful at, especially living. Keep moving and don’t ever stop."

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dee: She is a delight! And I'm so glad that spoke to you. It speaks to me, as well.

      Delete
  40. I'm sorry for your family's loss, Shelly. How beautiful your Tia is, and you, too. And you, and you and you.....That's going to be my new got to greeting:-)

    ReplyDelete
  41. Well, hiya! I've just been reading through some of your posts and have to say these nuggets of wisdom are making me hoot. What a firecracker!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jocelyn: So glad you stopped by! And yes, she is something else. I always cringe a little when she gets started, wondering if she's going to say something about me~

      Delete

I love to hear from you! I also love to comment back.