Ed 108

I posted my first blog on November 19, 2017.  I was starting a new hobby to help me fill my retirement hours.  I knew nothing about writing but wanted to give it a shot. As of today, I’ve been writing my blog for eight years, and this is my 836th story.

I chose my friend, Ed, as my initial topic because he was turning 100 years old that day.  He turned 108 today.  We’re keeping track of each other.

I met Ed seventeen years ago, so I’ve shared over twenty percent of my life with him.  More importantly, he’s shared his with me.  It’s a lesser percentage but he had thirty years in the bank before I was born. Neither of us are the same men that met in the fall of 2008, but we’re still here so that’s a good thing.

We don’t see as much of one another as we once did, but I still stop in three or four times each summer and we talk on the phone during the winter months.  When I visited just before I headed to Florida, he had a lady friend standing in his assisted living doorway.  She was chatting him up about something but headed out as soon as I arrived. I started teasing him about the new girl down the hall.  That’s when he told me there are three other new women on his floor.  I said, “That’s a lot of opportunity.”

I think he goes to church with the lady that I saw that afternoon.  I know he goes with one of them.  He told me that she’d like to spend more time together but it’s “just church” for him.

As we get older time becomes more important.  We recognize its value.  That’s why Ed’s become the unofficial mayor of Vista Grande Villa. He doesn’t hang in his room because it “can get lonely there when there’s no one to talk to”.  He engages in the varied activities, kibitzes with the staff, and is a friend to everyone.  He’s always on the move.  That’s why I call ahead to tell him I’m coming.  I don’t want to spend all of my time searching for him.  I want to make my visit count.

Every time I tease him about the women at the center he talks about Eleanor and how lucky he was to have her for as long as he did.  I say the same thing about Ruth.

During one of this summer’s visits, I introduced him to my new friend Barbara.  He liked her and she liked him.  What’s not to like; we’ll never meet another man like him.

The Michigan poker boys and I played with him last November to help him celebrate his 107th birthday. When I wrote about him last year, I encouraged all of you to send Ed a birthday card. I also told you I’d tell you how many he received.  It was over a hundred.  I think we can beat that.  He ought to get at least 108. If you send one this year, it’ll be late but welcomed just the same.  His address hasn’t changed.

Ed Rockwell

Vista Grande Villa   2251 Springport Road Jackson, Mi   49202-1496

The last time we spoke on the phone, he asked how my “squeeze” was.  He didn’t remember Barbara’s name but identified with her nickname.  He wanted to make sure we were looking after one another.  I assured him that we are.

 

 

 

 

About a week ago the poker boys showed up again.  I missed the game, but they sent me a video.

He’s still playing and either fleecing or getting fleeced.  Ed’s been playing seventeen of the forty-eight years that the group’s been together.  We all love him.  I’m definitely traveling north for next year’s game.  He’ll be the first 109-year-old I know.

As I headed out after our last visit, I walked with him to dinner.  He walked himself while sitting in his wheelchair. He’s an independent man. We exchanged a few parting words, our eyes moistened and I kissed him on the forehead.  I watched him settle in at a table with three ladies and thought, “Good for you.”

Happy birthday Ed.