Some think it may be hard to be around the elderly, but to me it is a reminder to live each day to the fullest, and to appreciate the stories of our lives.
Yesterday Frankie and I visited with a dear German friend, Irmgard. She is 80 years old. Two months ago her husband Oscar passed away at the age of 91. They were married 54 years. Oscar came to America from Lithuania and Irmgard from Germany. They befriended 12 other immigrant couples, all German. Irmgard is the sole survivor of all of them.
In another life I worked with Irmgard at Kohl's Department store. I say another life because it seems so long ago.I was a mere 18 when I met Irmgard. I always admired her strong determination and work ethic. She has a bit of spit fire in her and at the same time, a heart that welcomes you in.
After Irmgard's retirement we have kept in touch every year. I send her a Christmas letter outlining the past years highs and lows. She does the same for me. I always enjoy how her heavy German accent comes through in her writing. Her penmanship would put many of us to shame considering she had to learn to speak and write English when she came here as a young woman. It is some of the most beautiful writing I have ever seen.
When I heard Oscar had died I knew I had to visit Irmgard at his visitation. As I approached Irmgard at Oscar's casket she turned and saw me. "Oh, Barb! You came. Thank you so much." We chatted briefly and she asked if I would come visit her soon, and to please bring Frankie. I promised her I would.
She and Oscar have always lived simply. Irmgard loves plants and flowers and her home is filled with some as old as 20 plus years, mid-life plants and, seedling's always germinating that line her kitchen window sill. She makes her cup of coffee by boiling water on the stove. No coffeemaker for her. Her living room furniture is bright gold, but looks as new as the day she bought it, over 30 years ago. Never a light on in the house except at night and then only a light when absolutely needed. Decorations on the walls are kept to a minimum and usually only photographs of family, animals and friends.
Irmgard and Oscar have always had a fondness for the dachshund breed, though they never had one of their own.
Scooter, a red dachshund lived next door for over 19 years. I remember the stories she would tell of Scooter when we worked together. Scooter belonged to Hilda, another German immigrant, who was one of the friends they had befriended when they came to America. Oscar and Irmgard would care for Scooter quite often and it was if Scooter was their own.
As I visited with Irmgard she told me how she is still grieving the loss of Scooter. He died two years ago. She said, "I still can't get over it." She told me Hilda was 97 years old when she asked Irmgard to go with her to the vet to put Scooter to rest.
"I just could not look, Barb when they put the shot in," she said in her mixed English-German dialect.
When they brought Scooter's body home Hilda told Oscar and Irmgard she wanted to bury him under the pine tree. "We won't have that," she told Hilda.
"Someday when you are gone someone could come in and dig up the pine tree and then Scootie would be gone. No, we must bury him next to the house, in the foundation," she said.
So that is what they did. Irmgard said they buried him right outside the kitchen window, so Hilda could feel close to him when she looked out the window. Their Pastor came to say a blessing. My heart just broke listening to the story. Imagining that day will come for me when I say good-bye to little Frankie. But also because Hilda was 97 years old and she lived for that dog. Scooter was everything she had that made it worth getting up each morning.
Four months later Hilda came down with a terrible cold and needed to be taken to the hospital. She asked Irmgard to drive her. On the way there she said, "Irmgard I will not be coming home."
"Don't talk that way, Hilda," Irmgard said. "It is just a cold, you will be fine."
"No, I have nothing to stay here for," Hilda said.
Hilda died in the hospital four days later.
As I listened to the many stories Irmgard shared with me I couldn't help but think how fast our lives go by. I couldn't help but think how Scooter impacted Irgmard, Oscar and Hilda's life. How they all bonded because of Scooter.
I left with a heavy sadness on my heart as I waived good-bye to Irmgard. I was reminded again that I have a choice as to how I want to live my life. Even though it was bitterly sad to see Irmgard in pain from the loss of Scooter, than Hilda, and now Oscar, she was still standing tall. My heart started to lighten as I got closer to home.
I was thankful for the friendship I had formed with Irmgard over 20 years ago and that we still keep in touch. I was thankful I could spend some time with her and give her a chance to pet and love Frankie. I was thankful for my little cottage in the village. I was thankful for my husband, John. I was thankful for my lab, Kylie. Thankful for the bond I share with my mom and many friends. Thankful for the life I have because of the love I have for animals. Thankful for Frankie, because she is my connection to the elderly in such a special way, and I will be forever grateful.