Zelda's Big Day

My husband's Aunt Zelda in Chicago turned 100 this weekend, still questioning why anyone would give her a party, give her a present, even recognize the fact. She is one feisty old lady who is a role model for anyone growing old.

Within the past year, Zelda gave up her independence and moved into the Self Help Home, a place where she is around people constantly and where everyone knows her. She’s almost blind with macular degeneration, but that doesn’t stop her from “adopting” Estelle, a woman who can no longer speak. She seems to have a calming influence on Estelle, who otherwise seems rather mad at the world.


Zelda has always spoken whatever was on her mind. Today was no exception. She looked at one relative and greeted her with the fact that she had put on some weight. I guess her eyesight isn’t totally gone, but her tact is somewhat lacking.

But today people let her say anything she wanted and simply let any slights slide because she was 100 years old.


Her friends came from far and wide to recognize the day. She had family from Virginia, Arizona, Michigan, and Chicago. She had her young friend Kate whom she met 6 years ago as Kate was jogging when Zelda needed help crossing the street. She has friends from the Belmont, where she used to live. She has friends from her synagogue. And now she has friends from the Self Help Home.

My husband recapped her long life, doing sort of a mock interview of Zelda, and then he read something she had written 10 years ago on the secret to a long and happy life. Although there are bittersweet times in her life, for the most part it has been just that and it is nowhere near over.


Her social worker left her with this button, which just about says it all.