100 not out!

Our "old" friend, Margaret, was 100 years old today.

There was a party for family and friends in Edmunbyers. I drove our car with Mum, Margret (next door) and Jenny with me. It was a lovely afternoon for a drive and the satnav mysteriously took us throught Hexhamshire rather than on the A68. It was very pretty.

Margaret has dementia and is in a care home. She coped amazingly well with all the people, greeting each one, showing that she recognised us and smiling. She examined every birthday card with great care and seemed able to read without spectacles. When there were speeches, she looked as though she had switched off, but she is very deaf, so probably could not hear.

Margaret is an amazing character. She is stubborn and determined. Years ago she threatened to take Durham Education  Authority to court, if they did not appoint her as the first female headteacher in the county. She won! She continued to teach after she married, something unheard of in those days. Her husband died only 16 years later and she battled on, raising her children as well as working.

Tactless and abrupt, she upset people throughout her life, but she had a warm heart and had no idea she was causing distress. People who could not attend but wrote with greetings, all mentioned her driving. Perhaps that was a bit tactless of them. One of her daughters told us that she learned to drive on military vehicles during WWII, so that may have accounted for her lack of caution....... When she was finally stopped from driving, she changed practices, believing that her GP had "shopped her". We were all relieved!

My extra is the cake. Each separate tier represents an important part of her life. The top layer is for her music. She was a singer and violinist, attending operas across the world and driving to the Royal Albert Hall one day, parking illegallyl outside and going in to sing Messiah!
The second tier is for her walking. She was a keen member of Ramblers and of the U3A walking groups.
The third tier is for her travelling. She went to every continent, but did not manage a trip to Antartica as she hoped. Many of her holidays were with the U3A, in the travel groups that Margret (next door) and Guy organised. They could never be sure that she would turn up anywhere on time. Life with her was definitely on dull.

I chose the main image because you can see the sparkle in Margaret's eyes and her enjoyment as she looks at someone.

I wonder what people will say if you or I reach 100?