Days in the Life of a Senior Citizen

The ninth of May, 1979, was a day of days. A friend came to pick me up at noon. We went to a restaurant called the Serendipity. The Senior Citizens Club of Closter went for a roast beef dinner. We had salad, soup, homemade bread, then we had the roast beef with peas and mashed potatoes. We had apple pie with ice cream and coffee after the meal. There was also music for dancing. We all sang old songs. It was a nice affair. About 70 members were there. The town of Closter paid for everything. I think it is very nice of the town to do that for the senior citizens.

At 7:00 p.m. that night Tony and Lorraine and I went to the fortieth installation of the Lions Club. There were hor'douvres and drinks for one hour, then a full course meal with london broil. They gave out membership awards after dinner. Mario got a 25 year pin. He is also a past president. Mario started the eye bank and for many years he has worked on the blood bank. He has been a trustee for two years; he got elected for two more years. Mario worked hard on the yearly auctions they have. All the money they make goes for different charities.

My son Tony has belonged for about five years. He joined after his father passed away. When Tony joined the Lions Club all the members said they expected him to fill his father's shoes.

When it's auction time at the end of May, Tony gives them geranium plants, hanging pots, vegetable and flower plants as a donation. I think the Lions Club is very good. It does all kinds of charity work with the money they earn. They also give money for scholarships.

Mario put the screens in my doors. I appreciate help like that. He is a handy man. I always have some small job for him to do.

On Saturday, May 12, I received a telephone call from my daughter Ann asking me how I felt and if I wanted company. It would take them one hour to my house. They left their home at 8:00 p.m. and got here at 9:00 p.m., just Ann and Dick came. I was very happy to see them. We had a cup of tea and cookies, then we went into the living room and chatted. They came to wish me a happy Mother's Day because they would not be able to visit on Sunday for Mother's Day. Ann also brought me the book her mother-in-law wrote and had published. The book is called A Grain of Sand, I will enjoy reading it.

On Mother's Day I went to 7:30 a.m. mass with my son Tony, wife Lorraine and their youngest child Linda. After mass my son took us for a Mother's Day breakfast. Later in the morning they all came to my house with their Mother's Day gifts. At about 1:00 p.m. Carmela and Mario came to pick me up. They had two daughters with them, Denise and Marion. Mario took us all to a Mother's Day dinner at a place called the Rain Tree.

On May 20, 1979, my grandson Tony graduated from Delaware Valley College. The weather was cloudy and rainy. If it rained only the parents could go in to see the graduation, so Lorraine and I decided that I wouldn't go. At 9:30 a.m. Carmela called up. She said, “Mom, what is the matter? You are not going to the graduation?”

I told her I decided not to go on account of the rain.

“Mom,” she said, “You will feel bad because you have been to all the other graduations. Last year you went to see Denise graduate in Maryland. Get dressed; we will pick you up at 10:30.”

Mario is very considerate. He said, “Tell her to sit in the car and go for a ride with us.”

I enjoyed the 2½ hour ride very much. We got there in time to see the baccalaureate at one o'clock. The 387 graduates, all in their caps and gowns, marched down the aisle. It made a beautiful sight. My grandson gave us a big smile. I was thrilled to see him. Then we had to go and get a seat outside to see the graduation. Thank God we had no rain. We watched them all walk up to the stand to get their diplomas. When my grandson walked up I felt like crying and laughing at the same time with joy. Tony was my first grandson to graduate from college. After graduation my son Tony took us to a very classy restaurant to eat. My son Tony, his wife Lorraine, daughters Sharon and Linda, my daughter Carmela, her husband Mario and myself all went together with the graduate.

I had a wonderful day. I gave Tony a nice graduation card with money in it.

On May 22, 1979, a woman who was in charge of selling a book about historical homes in Closter came by and delivered my books. One book they gave me for free, because my home is over 180 years old and it made the front cover of the book. The book has 44 pages of pictures of old homes and it has a little story about each home. I ordered a book for each grandchild, two for my husband's sisters and my two brothers. All in all I bought 31 books. I think they will all be glad they own them in later years. It will show them where their grandparents had lived.