
One of my favorite fun memories of my mom came back to me today in a retirement home as I waited for an elevator. There’s a lot of waiting there. I spend time with a lovely British woman every day for two hours. My job is to entertain and keep her happy. This job is made in Heaven for me. Even my husband said, “I think this woman is an angel in your life.” I agree. I’ll call her Victoria for privacy reasons.
Victoria is eighty-four years old, but sometimes she forgets and thinks she’s seventy-two. Other days she thinks she’s eighty-seven. She has a charming personality and is friendly to everyone she meets. She calls me “Luv”and that might be because she sometimes forgets my name. She is ever grateful for the smallest kindness. A cup of tea brought to her brings huge gratitude.
She takes her tea just like my grandmother did. We always had tea with two sugars and a splash of milk. Toast with strawberry jam was always welcome with our tea. Spending time with Victoria brings me right back to my mom’s kitchen. My Gran lived with us her entire life. The tea kettle whistled all day long. To this day if something is troubling me, I make a cup of tea. Usually I just add sugar, but lately I’m adding that special splash of milk to honor the memory.
We’d just finished having our tea in the lobby of the retirement home and were waiting at the elevator to go her apartment. The lobby area is small so it’s easy to strike up a conversation. Today it was exceptionally slow and when it finally hit the ground floor, as people unloaded, Victoria said, “Welcome aboard!” with a grand smile like she was a cruise ship director. Each person got a hardy welcome. Their smiles were contagious. Back to memory lane I went once again.
Years ago, we took my mom shopping at Walmart in the Pocono mountains. My mom’s sister was with us and had to run back to the car to fetch her wallet. While my daughters and I waited with mom, she began to say, “Welcome to Walmart!” to every person who entered the store. She became an impromptu greeter. People smiled and shook her hand. She laughed and continued her charade. A good time was had by all. Watching Victoria play cruise director took me right back to that moment in time.
Today I was blessed with a double angel bump. I think my Mom and Gran might be joining me and Victoria for tea tomorrow.
That’s a wonderful memory, Anne. I enjoyed many a cup of tea with your Mom and Gram. Like my Mom used to say…”There’s nothing a cup of tea can’t fix.”
That was beautiful. your story brought back a memory of when i worked in a senior citizen home as a volunteer when i was about 17.
Beautiful story . Victoria is blessed to have you in her life.