Sunday Brunch is the highlight of my week. It's a time that I can spend with some special ladies I've adopted as my family.
My parents were killed when I was 17 years old and I have no siblings or extended family, so I am always eager to make new friends. Every now and again, someone really special touches my heart and I adopt them as family. Betty is one of those people.
Betty is 90 years old and lives in a Seniors' Residence close to my home. I met her one day in the sweet little park that is nestled in our neighbourhood. She had gone there to watch the children play, something I like to do as well. It wasn't long before we were chatting and laughing together at the antics of the little rascals who knew they had an audience.
As we talked and shared our life stories, I found out that Betty was a widow with no children and alone in the world just like me. We decided right there and then, that we should become friends.
Betty is so warm and funny, and so wise. Her eyes have a special twinkle and when she looks at you, you feel like she can see the real you and she accepts you just as you are. We've grown to love each other as family.
I join Betty for Sunday Brunch at the residence each week and over the last 2 years have adopted other sweet old ladies into my family. Frieda, Mary, Muriel and Hazel, all without family to encourage them in the final stage of their lives.
Our times together are happy and full of stories, laughter and singing. We joke and tease each other and have lots of fun. Sunday Brunch has become the most important meal of the week for all of us.
Yet these delightful women are nearing the end of their journey here on earth. Last year Frieda, age 96, reached the end. I was with her and held her as she took her final breath. Six months ago, I was with Mary as she left us too.
Though these were sad times, they were special times too. Times of extreme closeness. Times that I actually made a difference in someone's life, by being with them at their death.
There will be an ebb and flow to my circle of friends at the residence. Some will leave us like Frieda and Mary, and new friends will join us like Muriel and Hazel. Each one is special to me in a different way and for a different reason. They make my life better.
