She's young for her age!

If you know anything about me, you know I love senior citizens! I love them for all you can learn from them. I love them for the history they’ve lived. I love them for the stories they can tell, and they stories they love to tell! I love them for the times they represent—the simplicity they lived through. I love them for their spunk, their drive, and their independence. I even love them for their “grumpy-ness.” They make me laugh. They make me cry. They teach me. They make me feel loved and appreciated. They inspire me!
Every once in a while you meet someone with whom you really connect. I met one of those about ten years ago. Her name was Jeannette Egan and she’s been an inspiration in my life. Yesterday I learned she passed away on March 5th; she was 101 years old. I don’t know if she adopted us or we adopted her, but she was “Grandma Jeannette” to my daughters—and we loved her!
I worked at an independent care facility, “The Manors of Scottsdale,” as the activity coordinator, and that’s where I met Jeannette. She was not your typical resident. She NEVER let anyone know how old she was; in fact, I never knew she was a centenarian until her son called and invited me to her 100-year birthday party in 2007! I was amazed! I knew she'd seen many years, but I thought she was in her early '90's. This woman came to EVERY exercise class I held at The Manors—whether it was Tai Chi, water aerobics, or sit-and-be-fit. She was there everyday—faithfully. And, when I quit working in order to have a family she moved to another facility and walked the halls of that facility every day. In fact, when she finally had to get a walker, which she did so very reluctantly, she continued her walking. She believed that if you took care of your body your body would take care of you. And, she took care of her body.
She was well-educated, always asking me and my girls how school was. She graduated from Vassar, during the Great Depression. The pictures I’ve seen of her during that time are beautiful! She stressed education for her own children, and both of them are extremely successful, with great ambition. For Christmas, she gave my girls a subscription to “Highlights” magazine—an educational and fun magazine for children—for at least the past four or five years. They love that magazine! I love her love of education.
She came to every activity I planned that promoted education, culture, the arts, or music. She loved discussions, current events, history, politics, reading. Every time I went to her apartment she had countless books, the TV tuned to a news station, and the desire to get my opinion on what was happening in the world. She wanted to talk about anything and everything—travel, religion, politics. She was a wealth of knowledge. She would suggest books for me to read—her recent reads. She shared with me the experiences she had as a working woman, a mother, a wife, a volunteer—in the community, her children’s school, her church. She didn’t work while her children were young; she believed it was important to be at home for her kids. And she taught them the importance of balance; they are classy, well-educated, down-to-earth, refined, kind, thoughtful, good people. I feel blessed to know the Egan family. And, I feel blessed that Jeannette helped teach me how to be a better woman, wife, and mother.
Since we moved nine months ago I haven’t kept in touch with Jeannette. Before that, I would take the girls and we’d go and visit her. When she was still well, she’d invite us to lunch. She even came to our house once! She would always proudly introduce us to all of her friends as her “adopted family.” The girls loved going to visit her, eating lunch with her, and getting to see all of the neat things at Grandma Jeannette’s. They loved giving her hugs, and I think she’s the reason they enjoy visiting care facilities now. They have no fear of seniors; in fact, they have a special love for them. I’m grateful to Jeannette for that!
So, why is she an inspiration to me? I think it’s pretty obvious. It’s not every day that you meet someone who lives to be over 100 years old—and does so gracefully! Jeannette was one of those. Jeannette lived life. Jeannette loved life. And, Jeannette not only made the most of life, but GOT the most out of life, as well. She’s an inspiration because she valued important things—family, God, education, strong values. I’m going to miss her, but I’m grateful for the time I got to spend with her and the love she shared with me.
BTW, when I told Kate that Grandma Jeannette had passed away she remembered attending her birthday party a year-and-a-half ago, and she said, "Boy, she was old for her age!" I laughed because I believe Jeannette was young for her age! She was awesome!
Good-bye, for now, Jeannette.