Three Score and Ten, What Then? Read online

  “Thank you, Mr. King, and thank you everyone for all those kind words. I’d like to thank everyone for coming out today to help me celebrate my birthday, and I really want to say thank you to all the people who worked hard to put this party together for me. I sure do appreciate it. It’s important to spend all the time you can with those you love, especially when you get up in years like myself.

  I was just thinking it’s hard to believe that so many years have passed. I don’t feel one-hundred and five. It just seemed to sneak up on me. It’s really difficult to even fathom that I’ve made it this far. I sure don’t know why I have. Maybe it’s good genes. My parents, Chase and Beth Hayes, both lived into their nineties. Several of my brothers lived into their nineties, as well. My sister Eva, that’s short for Geneva, died a few years ago, a week after her one hundredth birthday. She was a real gem.

  It’s a puzzle why I get to see each day come, then go. I can’t say that I have any real secrets to share. No real advice as to how to live to be so dang old. I just really enjoy life. Always have. I just try to take each day as it comes, and make the most out of it. I love to laugh and I enjoy seeing others laugh, even if it’s at my expense.

  Oh, I’ve shed a lot of tears along the way. I’ve buried three wonderful husbands, all my siblings, and my parents, and four of my own children. I’ve also had to say good-bye to many friends that have gone on before me. Those were all sad times. But I made up my mind early on that I would give myself a few weeks to grieve, then I had to pick myself up, dust myself off and move forward. You can’t rewrite history, so you just have to accept things as they come.

  I believe in fate and think everything happens for a reason. Sometimes it’s hard to understand what the reason is, but eventually everything just seems to work out. Hindsight is twenty-twenty, you know.

  I feel that I’ve had a good life. I’ve been very fortunate next to others I’ve known. I was privileged to have shared love with three kind and gentle men. They all loved me dearly, as I did them, and they took good care of me and our children. I raised nine children in all. They turned out to be hard working, good living people. That’s all a parent can ask, and I’m proud of every one of them.

  My family and friends were always an important part of my life. We sure put in some fun-filled days together. We also shared many a tear. Some in joy, and others in sadness. That’s what gets you through the rough spots life throws at you. It’s friends and family that help you through.

  I’ve never had the luxury of great wealth, but I sure can say I’ve had the good fortune to do a lot of good living. My wealth has been the memories I’ve made as I’ve gone along. Good memories are golden, I say.

  I’ve always had lots to eat. It was mostly home grown and fresh from the garden. Good nutritious home cooking keeps a body healthy. Mostly I’ve cooked my own meals. I was never one to purchase those premade meals. I like to know what I’m eating and where it came from. At least until I moved here.

  Being out of doors has always been a key element in my life. Me and Mother Nature enjoy each other’s company. Nothing like a day of gardening or hiking to freshen the mind and cleanse the soul. I loved to spend time with my Pa growing up, and he had a huge appreciation for nature. He loved all the beauty and grandeur nature offers us, and passed that love on to me. Up until the last few years, I always took the opportunity to get outside every day. Nothing better than the feel of the sun’s warm rays on your face to cheer up your insides. It was like a form of therapy. I loved to smell the sweetness of the fresh air and see the blue in the sky. A bright sunny day always made me appreciate how good it was to be alive. It has dang near killed me being cooped up inside so much since I moved here. I know the good doctor is just doing his job, telling me I shouldn’t go outside without an escort, but the way I figure it, we all have to die of something. At my age, I’d like to have the choice and take my chances.

  This path of life that I’ve been living has sure taken me on quite a ride. There have been many changes in this world since I was a youngster. Not so long ago my granddaughter, Beth, stopped by for a visit and we spent the day reminiscing and talking about just that. I shared many stories with her about all the changes that I have witnessed during my lifetime here in the East Parry Sound and Nipissing Districts. So much has transpired in the last one hundred years. We went from horses, to trains, to cars, to airplanes, and even space travel. The modern electronic gadgets are beyond me. I thought I had it made when I gave up the scrub board for a wringer washing machine. Kind of hard for an old gal like me to keep up! Everything in this world has gone automatic.

  I have no real secrets to pass on to explain why I stand here today in fit mind and body at one-hundred and five. They used to say that a person lived three score and ten. That means seventy, all you youngsters. I’ve managed to hang around a lot longer than that. Why? Can’t tell you. I guess my life story isn’t finished yet. Hard to say what’s left for me? All I know for sure is that I’m grateful to still be here today.

  When Beth was here she tried to convince me that having a birthday party was such a grand idea. She talked like I was some sort of a celebrity, having lived in three centuries and all. She wanted me to share my story. Beth felt it might shed a little light on a resident’s point of view. I wasn’t so sure on the matter. I was feeling a little sorry for myself. I hadn’t planned on having to end my time by living here. It’s not the way I had things figured out at all. I’ve done some thinking since then. I’ve always felt that every life experience is worth living. There is a reason behind it all. Even having to give up the comforts of my own home after I was one-hundred and three has had positive attributes. It’s not always easy, but you just have to keep an open mind to see it.

  This place isn’t a bad place to end your days, if you can’t fend for yourself. I’ve gotten to meet some wonderful folks here. I’ve also seen life from a different angle. It’s a harsh reality to see so many folks suffering from the many ailments that old age doles out. Not all have been so blessed with good health as long as I have, and few are able to tell their story. I’ve always been able to enjoy the gift of gab. I’ve taken that for granted.

  In closing, I’d just like to say thanks again to all those that worked so hard to put on this wonderful party, and say thank you to everyone who has come today to help me celebrate one-hundred and five years. I appreciate it more than words can say. I hope everyone enjoys themselves.”

  As I return to my seat everyone claps and cheers. Mr. King steps back up to microphone and says, “Thank you, Anna. Well done. You are a remarkable lady. I hope you enjoy your special day. Happy Birthday.”

  As I sit and chat with all my guests, I realize that I am really glad that Beth persisted on doing this party. I haven’t seen some of my family for a few years. Everyone is spread out all over this dang country. So nice to see all the little ones. They grow and change so very fast. Weddings and funerals, so it seems, are the only times we all show up. Such is the way of the world these days. Not like when I was a youngster. Families were close back then. We all depended on one another to get by. Times have changed. That’s one thing I know for sure.

  let’s start at the beginning

  I had just returned from breakfast and gotten myself comfortable in my recliner, so that I could have a gander through the paper when Beth dropped in for a visit.

  “Hi, Gran. How are you doing today?”

  “Hi there, Beth. I’m fine. I just got back from breakfast. What brings you by so early? What’s in those boxes?”

  “Well, Gran, it’s the first week of December and Christmas isn’t far off. Mom said that you’ve been feeling a little down, so I thought I’d come and put up a few Christmas decorations for you. Perhaps they’ll add some colour to this drab room. I brought lunch, too, Kentucky Fried Chicken. I know it’s your favourite.”

  “Thank you, Beth. That’s wonderful. I can’t remember the last time that I had Kentucky Fried Chicken. You’ve made
my day. I always loved to decorate at Christmas.”

  “I remember, Gran. Your house always looked so festive. Mom saved some of your decorations for you when your house was sold. I picked them up on my way.”

  Suddenly, I felt excited. It had been nearly two years since I had last seen the decorations. I had packed them all up and put them away after New Year’s in January, 2000. So much had happened since then. It seemed like a lifetime ago. “Take your coat off, dear. Let’s have a look at them.” Beth put the boxes on my bed and we started unpacking them. I felt like a child in a candy shop. It was good to see some of my own things again.

  “Let’s see what’s here, Gran, then you can decide where you would like me to put them.”

  “Golly, it’s good to see these decorations. Jackie saved all my favourite ones. Most of these were gifts from family and friends.”

  “And I’ll bet that you can still remember who gave you every one of them. Your memory is still as sharp as a tack, Gran.”

  “Well, that could be considered a blessing or a curse, dear. Depends on how you look at things. Your Ma gave me that wreath. Its lights flash when you turn it on. We’ll hang it up in the window. Eva made that ceramic Christmas tree for me. I’ve had it for a lot of years. Let’s put it on my TV stand. Maybe Santa will leave a little gift under it for me.”

  “Only if you’ve been good, Gran. Speaking of gifts, I was wondering if there is anything that you would like for Christmas?”

  “Oh, dear, that’s awfully kind of you, but I’m not wanting for anything. Your ma keeps me supplied with everything I need. She’s good to me and keeps on top of that. An old woman like me isn’t wanting for anything.”

  “I figured you’d say that. Well, I have a good idea about what I could give you.”

  “You do! And what would that be young lady?”

  “Well, I would like to give you a big showstopper of a birthday in January. It’ll be your one-hundred and fifth birthday and I think you should have a huge family shindig to celebrate.”

  “Oh, Beth, that’s a pretty tall order you’re asking of me.

  “But you’d have nothing to do except show up and enjoy yourself. Same as at your one-hundreth birthday party. You had so much fun. Didn’t you?”

  “Oh, Beth, yes I had a stupendous time. The party that all you youngsters put on was perfect. But, a lot has changed since then. I just don’t think I’m up to it now.”

  “That’s silly, Gran. All you have to do is have Mom do your hair, put on a nice dress, and show up. I’ll take care of all the other details. I really want to do this for you. It’s a very special birthday. I’ll bet that only a handful of people in the world ever live to be one-hundred and five, and not many of them are as lively as you still are. You can still socialize and have a visit with people. And Gran, you’re a local celebrity. You’re a daughter of one of the original pioneers, and you’ve lived your life in three centuries. How common is that?”

  “But Beth, I live here now. Everything is different. Don’t you see? Life isn’t the same for me as it was five years ago. I don’t live in my home anymore. People look at me differently now that I live in here, and with Mary Beth, Murray, and Charity passing, the family isn’t the same. It just doesn’t seem right to celebrate with them all gone.”

  “Gran, that’s silly. You know how much Aunt Charity and Aunt Mary Beth loved to party. They would be devastated to know that you are forfeiting your special day because they’re gone, and Uncle Murray would be annoyed with you, too. They all loved our annual family reunions and get-togethers. I won’t accept that as an excuse.”

  “Well, I’m sorry, Beth, but I just don’t feel up to a party. Let’s talk about something else.”

  “Okay Gran, being you’re a celebrity and all, tell me about your life. Tell me about you. What was it like when Great Grandpa Hayes moved here? Why did he pick this area? What was life like for you as a young girl? Tell me about your first two marriages, and your life with Grandpa. I’d really like to know more about my family tree. I’ll tell you what, Gran, you talk, and I’ll listen to your story while I decorate.”

  “Well, Beth, it seems that you have a lot of questions about me and my life. I know that your Ma, Jackie, has told you about some of it, but I’m not sure that she has told you everything. There are parts of my life that, maybe, even she doesn’t know. I can’t recall if I ever shared the details of my earlier years with her. I’m not even certain if she ever asked about my life with Jed or Royce. I know that I spoke to Murray and Mary Beth about their Pa, and I told Charity and Chase about their Pa, too. Times were different when your Ma was a youngster. We just didn’t talk about some things back then. We didn’t dwell on the past. We tried to put things behind us and just kept moving forward. It’s hard for your generation to understand how life was back in those days. Things were certainly different when I was a youngster. There have been lots of changes since then, that’s for sure. I guess I should start at the beginning and tell you my whole story. Then, maybe, you’ll be able to understand what I’m saying a little better.”

  I sit back down in my recliner and close my eyes. As I concentrate on what I want to say my thoughts take me back to a by gone era. Memories of my past come flooding in. Special moments frozen it time. My heart races with excitement. I feel like I’m in a dream.

  “Gran, are you okay?” Beth’s voice interrupts my thoughts and returns me to the present.

  “Yes, dear, I’m fine. I was just thinking about how to get started at telling you my story. I was trying to remember what Ma told me about my early years. I was too young and have no recollection of them myself. I’ll tell you all that I remember.

  It was in the year 1897, on a cold and blustery January day, that I made my grand entrance into this world. That was almost one-hundred and five years ago. Ma hadn’t figured my arrival would be for a few more weeks, so she set about doing her regular Monday morning wash. Back then doing the wash was more complicated than just stuffing a load of dirty clothes into a machine and turning a few buttons. Water had to be pumped from the well and hauled in by the pail full. Then it was heated on the old wood cook stove in a big tub. The clothes were scrubbed on a washboard and rinsed. Ma would wring them out by hand and hang them by the stove in the parlour to dry. My older sisters helped Ma. It was a labourious job from start to finish.

  It had been a cold winter with minus thirty degree temperatures every day since Christmas. The snow had settled in early. There was a big storm at the end of November, and it had been piling up ever since. Ma said there was a good three feet by then. On this particular day, the sun had greeted the great white north first thing. Ma thought maybe it would be a nice bright winter day, but by the time they had finished the wash, Ma said it was blowing and snowing so hard she couldn’t see the barn out the back window. By the time the wash was done, not only had the weather changed, but so had Ma’s condition. She was feeling poorly. She thought she had just overdone it at this late stage in her pregnancy. When Pa came in for lunch, she knew otherwise. I was on my way.

  Pa hitched the team to the sleigh. He fetched our neighbour, Mrs. McCray, to be with Ma. Then he set out to get the doctor, but the storm made his travel slow. By the time they made it back, I was there. That was often the way of it back then. Ma told me that as soon as Pa saw that she was all right, he asked if he could hold me. He picked me up and kissed my little pink cheek. “Well, Savannah Faye Hayes, nice to meet you”, he said. Ma had picked that name out for a girl months before. Ma gave us all non-traditional names. “None of those old standbys for my brood,” she used to say.

  I was the eighth child for Chase and Beth Hayes. I had four older brothers and three older sisters to spoil me. Pa had been hoping for another little girl. He said it would even up the numbers. Ma said he was just tickled. Pa went and fetched the rest of the gang so the proper introductions could be made. There was Colton Bryce, Virginia Rose, Lincoln Reece, Genesee Dawn, Dalton Chase, Geneva Lyn
n, Newton Kale, and now Savannah Faye. All two years apart. What a brood indeed!

  My oldest sister Rose (Virginia Rose) was twelve when I came along. She and Pa, with the help of some of the neighbour women and their older girls, kept the house in order till Ma got back on her feet. My oldest two brothers Colt and Linc, who were fourteen and ten, had to help Pa with all the chores. There were cows to milk, chickens to feed, and hogs to slop. The younger children often went and gathered the eggs and helped bring in kindling and firewood. Only Newt, who was two, and Eva (Geneva Lynn), who was four, weren’t expected to pitch in. It took the whole family doing their part to keep things going.

  Most of the family income came from selling cream and butter. Pa and all the other neighbours who sold cream would take turns getting it into town to the local dairy. Sometimes Ma would barter at the general store if there were extra eggs or vegetables. Pa traded pork and beef, or firewood for things he needed around the farm. Times were tough for everyone back then. Not very many privileged families lived here in North Eastern Ontario at the turn of the twentieth century. We were all just simple living, hardworking pioneer families. Most people had moved up this way to take advantage of the Free Land Grant Act. People came from all over. Most had immigrated to Canada from England, Ireland, Scotland, and Germany to escape poverty. Some of the families had first settled in Upper Canada, around Ottawa, Kingston, and Toronto. The lure of free land later brought them farther north. To be offered a chance at owning a large section of land to farm was unheard of in Europe. It was a new start for most.

  Northern Ontario had been first visited by white man during the fur trading years. Our waterways had been explored and charted by the voyageurs. Lumbermen followed in their footsteps to harvest the virgin timber. J.R. Booth left his mark all over this area building his lumbering empire. Just about every small town and city in Ontario has roots in the lumber business.