Rembering Helen
February 18, 2010 * * * * * Posted by: guest blogger 
Age brings a special and unique beauty; a beauty that can only come from time, weathered storms, and life experiences.
Take Helen, for example.
At the age of 90 some years, Helen would take her daily walks...one block north and back, one block south and back, one block east and back, and one block west and back. She would never venture far from her home, but always exercise daily. Her large yoga ball was used to perform a series of balance exercises.
Helen would get yarn from the Senior Center and crochet. Booties for new-borns. Blankets for fire victims. Dishcloths. Scratch pads. She always gave away the results of her labors. Cheerfully she would often teach others the skill she had acquired many, many years ago.
A book always at her side and a pleasant smile ever on her face, Helen enjoyed her visitors and could carry on the most interesting conversations. She always kept her hands and mind busy.
Comfortable with her life journey and confident in her faith, Helen was beautiful inside and out. I miss her.
Much like I enjoyed and appreciated Helen's special and unique beauty, I find beauty in objects that display a rich character created only by the effects of time and weathered storms. This image will be added to my body of work titled "Textured by Time."
"Youth is the gift of nature, but age is a work of art." ~Stanislaw Lec
Reader Comments (16)
I love the quote you chose, Sue. This is a lovely tribute to your friend. She sounds like a fine example by which to live one's life.
After reading this, Sue, I wonder why anyone would ever want to hide their age! Thanks for the reminder of why we need to grow old with grace and expectation.
Such a lovely tribute to the fine art of aging with beauty and grace. Life lessons for all of us. Will look forward to seeing more of your 'Textured by Time' series. Beautiful image and words!!!
beautiful post ! I'll remember that quote, I like it.
. i am resting in this today .
I am proud to say that our mother, age 91 bought her first computer about 7 months ago, she has mastered the art of navigating the internet, sending email and reading blogs. I noticed that she left a comment on margie's post the other day. It makes me incredibly proud and fills me with the feeling that I can do anything, I am her daughter after all. Live one's life every day, that's her motto. Thanks for sharing this, Sue. The image, as always, is beautiful.
Aging with class....I'm glad to know about Helen.
Your photo is beautiful. It makes me feel peaceful. I especially love the title of your series--can't wait to see more!
kath said it so well. we are both so proud of our mother, her activities, her interests, her zest for life.
a heartfelt tribute to Helen. Beautifully told. I adore your image very much.
i wonder if there is a certain age you start to appreciate when something is older and weathered, no longer young and fresh - some people might say 'past it's sell-by date'. i think i have always loved things that have a story, a history; things that might well look a bit ratty around the edges. now i collect them with passion - old 'treasures' that i've found on my travels. j calls them junk, and "clutter", but really quite affectionately, er i hope!! your friend helen sounds like she was a real treasure :) i think she would be smiling at your post.
You have such a way with words and photography. I'm so glad that you choose to share both. Thank you for making me smile. :)
Beautiful words and image. As Ginnie mentioned in her comment, I also wonder why we tend to want to hide our ages rather than celebrate them. Thank you for this wise, thought-provoking post!
Lovely story, Sue, and such a nice way to remember Helen. I love the inspiration to be found in the writing and art that you and your colleagues are sharing here...
It's a beautiful photo and a beautiful tribute.
I enjoyed this piece so much!
"a rich character created only by the effects of time and weathered storms"
Beautifully spoken, and as a woman who has reached the time where my 'rich character' is showing, I appreciate your thoughts and image.