We’re Quite a Pair
“I was born in 1927; how old does that make me?” she asked.
“Wait, I need a pencil. I can’t do it in my head.”
“Neither can I,” she said with a laugh.
“You’re going to be 80!” I announced after abandoning the pencil and counting on my fingers. We both acted shocked.
The next time I visited my friend Ruth, I made sure to bring a cold Newcastle beer, knowing how much she likes beer and that I would be out of town for her birthday.
“This is my first birthday present,” she said, putting it in the fridge.
Although she lives on a farm with others nearby, she doesn’t get out much these days. And since her dear friend and roommate passed away last year, she really appreciates visits.
She’s been losing her short term memory, so we play Scrabble.
“I love a game that makes you think,” she says.
On the same day I brought her the beer and after we had settled down to playing, a goat the size of a small pony charged into the kitchen. I could see it coming from the window and all about jumped up on my chair. While I was acting helpless, Ruth shot into action, doing what I later called her “horse trick.”
With her 4 foot and some odd inches frame, she pushed the critter out of the house. Then she tied him to a fence post in the yard, scolding him as she wound the knot. In her younger days she ran a horse camp for kids. Some of the photographs on her walls are of students she taught to ride who still keep in touch.
Sharing a chicken pesto sandwich as we played, the game lasted over an hour. After sitting so long and straining our minds to find words, we were ready to let go and move. Dancing for Ruth is a meditation. From the first time I met her in 1986, I have wanted to be her dance disciple. Sometimes at community gatherings I would land myself next to her on the dance floor. But now it was just me and Ruth, bare feet slipping and sliding on the wood floor, transcendent music filling up the bright little farm house.
Her movements were calm, sweeping and focused, while I, on the other hand, worked up a sweat. After a half and hour of straight dancing we both felt lighter and like our minds had been swept clean. Scrabble and dancing are two of my favorite activities. Doing them with Ruth is an added bonus.
With a big hug goodbye I headed for my car. “I’ll be out of town for a couple of weeks. See you when I get back,” I shouted as she stood in her doorway and waved.
“Have a good trip!” she shouted back.
June 25th, 2007 10:41 pm
IT IS SO NEAT TO HAVE FRIENDS OF ALL DIFFERENT AGES. My favourite spunky person in my choir is an eighty-year-old! I also have a young girl who comes for tea visits all the time and is now 13. I taught her in Gr. 3. Each has her own special qualities to bring into a friendship.
June 26th, 2007 12:27 am
Happy Birthday to Ruth! I was right there in the kitchen with you, eating chicken pesto sandwiches and dancing. Thank you for the wonderful images you’ve painted with your words.
Hope you don’t mind, but I’ve tagged you with a short meme. Details are on my site.
Take Care, XINE
June 26th, 2007 12:42 am
I like Ruth. Dancing and scrabble are two of my favorite things to do. Have fun on your trip!
Susan
June 26th, 2007 1:34 am
What a lovely lady you have described for us… I can almost see you swaying together in the farmhouse. Happy Birthday to Ruth!
June 26th, 2007 3:02 am
you just gotta love a woman who is 80 and knows how to savor a Newcastle!
June 26th, 2007 3:52 am
Reading your post halps me to see the blessings in becoming older.
June 26th, 2007 4:59 am
My FIL was born in 1927 so I knew right away how old your friend is 🙂
And she seems to be a wonderful lady!
June 26th, 2007 5:01 am
She sounds FANTASTIC Colleen! I envy her ability to dance for a half hour.,..lol…I love that she got that Goat out of the house and tied up and scolded all at the same time! Sounds like you had a great afternoon with your sweet friend…! Speaking of Birthdays….My Birthday post is up!
June 26th, 2007 9:34 am
It sounds like a therapy session – for both of you! A great way to spend a summer day, thanks for sharing so we can all have a little therapy too.
June 26th, 2007 9:37 am
You are such a good friend and giving spirit of love. I’m sure Ruth thanks the heavens for you in her prayers.
June 26th, 2007 11:58 am
Ruth sounds lovely to visit.
Dancing sweeps the mind clear. It rather does, doesn’t it. Hadn’t thought of it that way.
June 26th, 2007 2:57 pm
What a great afternoon Colleen! My neighbor, Mary, is 77. We often get together to play Risk. She’s positively ruthless and beats me on a regular basis.
June 26th, 2007 4:02 pm
Many of my closest friends are my age, but I also have one twenty years younger (Mara) and one twenty years older (Alwyn). We are all peers and girlfriends! Ruth is a long time part of my community that I’m hoping to spend more time with.
June 26th, 2007 5:32 pm
Colleen…you brought tears to my eyes with your beautiful comment on my blog, today. Thank you, dear Colleen, from my heart to yours!
June 26th, 2007 7:19 pm
Your life is so totally rich. I agree with mar…this lady is a wonderful jewel in you necklace of friends.
June 26th, 2007 10:43 pm
Colleen that is the sweetest post. I would like Ruth…she sounds like a mess.
June 27th, 2007 3:40 am
This is wonderful, you are such a great writer!
Isn’t scrabble fun? And friends… and love, and good memories.
Scarlett & Viaggiatore
June 29th, 2007 11:47 pm
Dancing used to be my favorite thing, and scrabble and beer are 2 faves now. I think I should dance more…LOL
October 24th, 2016 9:39 am
[…] a story about Ruth HERE and a post about her son A’Court’s life celebration in 2013, which includes a nice […]