I am so lucky to know someone as wonderful
as Dot. She is my
role model on how to age gracefully. Of
course,
Dot is from the old school of being an honorable, civilized,
law-abiding
citizen. Everything
she does shows love and respect to all around her.
My most favorite thing about Dot is she would always, always
stand to
greet anyone who enters the room. This one little thing makes you
feel so appreciated, respected, welcomed, happy, peaceful, safe, and any
other kind word you can think of. Standing always shows respect. When
you can see it is an effort to do so and someone still
stands it is
especially meaningful.
Dot said she always wanted to get her hug.
It has just been within the last 6 months that Dot is not
able to stand.
Dot never complains even when she has something to complain
about.
One time she broke a tooth off but never complained. I asked didn’t the
sharp edge hurt. She
replied “I’m not looking for trouble.”
How one dresses shows respect to fellow family members and
to the outside world.
Dorothy has always had her hair done every
Saturday. Her
daughter Joan always makes sure her mother
is dressed nicely everyday even if it is just casual
clothes. It is part
of their every day routine.
Within the past 15 years, Dot has gone through a broken arm,
a broken
hip, a broken tooth, she is hard of hearing and has lost
most of her
eyesight. This past
February she spent three days in the hospital with
pneumonia. She is now
on oxygen, but she is getting better.
Dorothy Theis is such a loving, wonderful person all her
grandchildren
decided they could not stand the idea of their grandmother
going to a
nursing home. They
have all banded together and are taking turns providing
round the clock care at home. They hire a nurse for the night hours and
during the day, she is always surrounded by family members.
For the last 22 years, it has been my pleasure to have such
a wonderful friend
and role model as Dorothy Theis. I especially love her children, Joan, Mary,
and Lois, who have
become like sisters to me. We are all
bridge players.
As a result of knowing Dorothy Theis, I will do my best to
not criticize or
complain and I will
stand to greet you if at all possible.
Happy Birthday, Dorothy!
Dorothy practiced all the information in our book “A Year of
Good Manners”
by Margery Sinclair and Jan Polk, before it was even
written.
www.ayearofgoodmanners.com $27.95
www.janpolk.com Artist