93 and Going Strong

by Dr. Rosalee Martin

She is 93!

She flies with eagles,

Powerful in spirit, inspirational to others,

And hard to keep up with.

As she visits the sick, feeds the hungry,

Drives the disabled,

Sits with the bereaved leaving food and love.

She praises the Lord for her

Physical, mental and spiritual strength

Competitive with those forty years her junior.

Dropping wisdom to the young and old

While being open to receiving new knowledge

About her changing world and her diverse community.

A social justice advocate, keenly seeing the wrong.

Seeking to be a solution.

Serving on a senior center board,

Participating in a garden club,

Growing vegetables for family and others,

Being a vital member of her church’s prayer team;

And intentionally encouraging

Others with a ready smile and hug.

Celebration is her thing!

Sadness and discouragement cannot compete.

She Celebrates birthdays, weddings, graduations.

She Celebrates the lives of those who already

Left her behind, her parents, some siblings,

And her beloved husband of 70 years.

She, 93 years of lighting the path for so many,

Covering them with her expansive wings:

Her six children, grandchildren and greats;

But not only them but me too.

Sitting at her feet, taking in her legacy;

Soaking in her honesty, morality and creative beauty

That embrace humanity as being sacred,

While holding on to her faith

That frees her/us from bondage.

She is 93, 

A model for my longevity.

Seeking my eagle wings

To fly in her space

Being thankful that

God gave me grace

Allowing our paths to cross

Sharing mutual love and respect,

A spotlight on hope shines

That only grows with eternal time.