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      Sassy at 70 
​.

Remembering Nana at 75

1/14/2019

3 Comments

 

PictureOlive Abbott in her White Plains, NY garden at the age of about 56.
Thinking about aging reminded me of my  maternal grandmother Olive Abbott.  She kept house for my family when I was young, since my artist parents were in New York City running a graphic design studio. She was a severe looking New Englander. But a superb  cook, highly skilled seamstress, talented piano player who could belt out everything from Beethoven to Joplin--all by ear. (But, hush, she didn't want people to know she couldn't read music.) She taught me to sew and to bake, and every morning she prepared an egg on toast for me for breakfast in the kitchen right next to my bedroom.

                               Nana was beautiful to me.                                                                She had  silver gray hair, a patrician look, and beautiful skin                            with transparent thin wrinkles that looked soft as silk. 

PictureOlive Abbott was a cousin of the the American Quaker poet and advocate of the abolition of slavery, John Greenleaf Whittier (1807-1892)
When I was about eight years old I asked her  an outrageous question. She had just turned 75 and I began thinking of what a great, long life she must have led. So I piped up, "Nana, why do you want to live longer? Haven't you lived long enough?" A long pause followed, so I knew I had said something wrong. But then my grandmother recovered her surprise and said, "No, everyone wants to live as long as they can, and I do too." Now, of course, I understand, and I wish I hadn't asked that question. But I'm happy to report that after that my wonderful, loving grandmother who taught me so much continued to live in almost perfect health for 14 more years to age of 89.

3 Comments
Betsy Vinton Powel link
2/18/2019 11:57:04 am

Good for you, April. I look forward to reading this. So Nana was a cousin of Whittier's! I started learning Snowbound before I realized it went WAY beyond my abilities, but those New England poets had something sterner and plainer than their european counterparts. Great stuff.! Good genes to share

Reply
April. Klimley link
2/19/2019 07:10:46 am

Yes, Betsy. My ancestors on that side of the family came here in 1635 to Boston on a ship that included Puritan minister Richard Mather, grandfather of Cotton Mather. So a certain amount of that New England Puritianism still runs in my blood.

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Kay Kiernan Brix
3/3/2019 04:55:03 pm

April, I love the way you describe your maternal grandmother. If I could go back in time or spend one day, or more, with someone, it would be my maternal grandmother. I would ask her lots of questions to find out what her life was like, as a child and as an adult. Times were so different then, but they had a good life despite all the hardships. Lots of stories there!

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    April W. Klimley 

    Picture

    Dear Reader--
    When I was a teenager, the idea of reaching an age greater than 60 seemed unimaginable. But today, it's not. Many of us Baby Boomers have reached and surpassed that number and look on at the past with grateful satisfaction--and the future with hope and excitement. This blog is dedicated to my generation of women, the men who are also making this exciting journey --and any others--friends, children, even grandchildren--who are interested in our stories, perspective,  and visions of the future.  

    February 15, 2019

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April W. Klimley - Klimley Communications
​1301 SW 10th Ave. # E-107, Delray Beach, FL 33444 

  info@klimley.com or 917.626.4838
  • Welcome
  • About
    • Our People
    • History of the Consultancy
    • Industry Specialties
    • Testimonials
  • SERVICES
    • Business Writing and Reporting >
      • Magazine & Book Editing
      • Blog Writing
      • Diversity Writing and Editing
    • Art & Culture Writing
  • I TUTOR ENGLISH
    • iTutor English
  • My Blogs
    • Top Notch Tutoring
    • Sassy at 70
    • April on Art ...and Design
    • The Innovator's Voice
  • Contact
  • Top Notch Tutoring
  • Top Notch Tutoring
  • I TUTOR ENGLISH