She inspired me

A Venetian Lady, 2023.

I pulled into the Retirement Village to collect her. In this particular aged care job, I took clients out to Dr’s appointments, shopping, specialist appointments, to parks for coffee, showered them, cooked meals, cleaned. You name it, pretty sure I did it.

Anyway, on this day I was to collect let’s call her R. She lived in a over 55’s village, on her own after her husband of around 50 years had passed away. Then she dated a fellow in the village, no moving in together. LOVE THAT, just dates.

As I walked up to her apartment, I noticed the cute navy and white spotted umbrella tucked into the corner. I knocked softly on the door. Quickly she opened it and gave me huge smile. This is going to be fun I thought. And I was right!

She was joy.

She was optimism.

Her outfit was put together like she was off to a Gallery opening.

She invited me in, we sat on the couch and talked. I almost felt like I was in a job interview, but one where the interviewer wasnt really listening compared to taking in the details of me. No doubt she’s wondering when I last cleaned my sneakers. Haha I paid for them to look this old, thanks Golden Goose.

I only took her out for 3 outings but each time I turned up she was READY. Her outfits were gorgeous. Yes they were tailored to her age, for example her cute sneakers had little zips on them for ease no doubt. Her perscription sunglasses were cute, a soft pink. She used cute little square scarves tied at her neck for sun protection.

She was dressed for life.

She made an effort, for an outing to the local shops.

She had adapted to her challenges, zips on her sneakers.

She had not ‘given up’ because of her age.

Rather I felt like she had risen to the challenges, still infusing her life with a sense of style and wellbeing.

I felt so happy and grateful to have known her.

*Due to privacy her name and some details have been changed,