100 years old!
How lovely it was to get together with the Janzen side of the family and spend the weekend together celebrating our amazing Oma.
This lady still possess the strength, pride, and love for her family that has carried her through some unbelievable journeys in the past 100 years. 100 years! She is small, but every so mighty. There are many folks out there that know not to mess with Annemarie Janzen. Her handshake says it all!
It's hard for me to imagine her life story. Forced to abandon her home and flee her country while protecting her 4 young children as they travelled by foot miles and miles searching for safety. Horrors and obstacles that our generation here in North American cannot, thankfully, comprehend. Arriving in a country without her husband, without speaking the language and despite having nothing, building a home for her family. Countless experiences that I really cannot fathom having to endure. But thankfully she and her family did.
It's hard for me to imagine her life story. Forced to abandon her home and flee her country while protecting her 4 young children as they travelled by foot miles and miles searching for safety. Horrors and obstacles that our generation here in North American cannot, thankfully, comprehend. Arriving in a country without her husband, without speaking the language and despite having nothing, building a home for her family. Countless experiences that I really cannot fathom having to endure. But thankfully she and her family did.
And, because of this woman's strength and resilience we are all here.
Four children, twelve grandchildren, and 22 great grandchildren.
Some lessons I've learned from Oma.
1) Take time to enjoy wine (or Kahlua). I love that Oma still enjoys her vino. I think that if I were to peak in her closet today, behind the neatly arranged blouses and pants I could find a bottle of red!
2) Salt isn't so bad. A little salt, actually A LOT of salt must do the body good. I have never seen salt poured on food the way Oma does.
3) Take pride in yourself. There have been many times when Oma puts me to shame when I visit her. Me in my thrown together sloppy outfit, and this 100 year old lady looking all put together with her freshly set hair, manicured nails, support hose on and neat outfit. If a 100 year old woman thinks it's still important to look smart and continue to get her hair and nails done, that must mean feeling good about yourself at any age is important.
4) Always have a firm grip.
5) Make good food. Even though Oma is not cooking or baking away in the kitchen anymore, we still talk about that "Oma" flavor that conjures up so many mouth watering memories. Makes me want to attempt to make her Rosinen Stritzel and Klopse Suppe right now.
6) Make the effort to keep in constant contact with your siblings. I love how Oma still has regular phone calls with her sister Magda in Germany. Those regular letters and phone calls made back and forth for years and years have allowed these sisters to stay connected despite the miles between them.
7) Make things. Up until about 10 years ago, I loved to watch Oma take out her meticulously pressed flowers placed neatly between pages of books and magazines and create her beautiful candles. From her candles, to her cards with the tiny lady bugs, Oma has taken the time to make some beautiful things.
8) Take care of your things. When I see Oma take out her winter sweaters sitting daintily and perfectly between fine pieces of tissue paper, in perfect condition and lasting her numerous years it makes me want to rush home and clean out my closet.
9) Enjoy fine clothes. I still wouldn't mind borrowing some of Oma's beautifully kept cashmere sweaters.
10) Speak your mind.
11) Exercise daily. A little inclement weather is no excuse not to go for a walk. I laugh when I think about how 2 years ago the staff at her home had to go out into the snow to call Oma in. This was not a disillusioned woman lost, just a woman set on getting her daily dose of fresh air and exercise.
12) Take time to add a personal touch. Those tiny, delicate wild flowers placed at our birthday breakfast table, the little wooden lady bugs that we would find in the most unlikely places, those special "Oma" touches that add so much.
13) Continue family traditions. So many special traditions that started with Oma, that my parents continued and now I carry out with my family. With every tradition comes a sweet memory, and one that always includes family. How fortunate I am to come from this family.
And so my learning continues from my Oma...
Frohe Geburtstag liebe Oma!
