My Friend Dottie
I have known Dorothy Doyle for about 3 years, though I don’t call her Dorothy, to me she is Dottie. I am her caregiver, but sometimes I don’t really see us in that way. Instead I see her as my friend, someone who makes me smile, laugh, cry and create frustration in my life. The later doesn’t happen very much, only when she is doing something that I feel is not safe for her wellbeing. She will just keep doing it anyways so it doesn’t really matter if I get upset or not.
She turns 100 this month, which is kind of funny because I am always saying she lies about her age. We have been very excited as birthday approaches, for it is a milestone for her, and me, for I have never known anyone to reach this magic age. We spend many hours together talking and listening to each other. I cherish this time, not because I think Dottie will be going anywhere soon, but because the conversations have depth and substance. I hear about what she has witnessed and been a part of in her life and I am left in awe. In an age where all is racing forward at the speed of sound, my conversations with Dottie are relaxed and meaningful.
Take a minute and reflect on some of the things she has witnessed in this world: the party line to the cell phone, the radio to TV, records to DVD’s, she went from books to reading a kindle! She has raised an amazing family, moved from one side of the US to the other, spent time in other countries; so much to see and do and she did it. She taught others how to read, went to college, where the men had to vote to allow her into the lab. She told me once she wanted to be a nurse, and I think she would have been a great one, even better if she was a nursing supervisor. (Oh, the thought pains me!)
When I look at Dottie I see myself in a bit of her, the independence, the strong will, (which can be good and bad) and the ability to roll with the changes. “Get up and go about your business” she says, don’t sweat the small stuff. This is great wisdom for all.
I wish Dottie the happiest of days; I wish her health and good times to continue. She is my dear friend and I love her like a sister. Keep rolling Dottie, tell it like it is and keep moving and stop lying about your age!
Dottie walks twice a day, eat lots of veggies, is very social, reads books and plays a wicked game of scrabble. Yes...and that was her riding a bike on her birthday! Way to go Dottie!
