There are few guarantees in this world, but one thing we can be sure of: as long as we keep living, we’ll keep getting older. Which means one day I’ll be an old lady.

So I’ve been wondering. What sort of old lady will I be?

As it so happens, I’ve known several old ladies in my lifetime. And for the most part, I’ve had some great role models.

Oh sure, there are always a few cranks in the bunch. (My first blog post listed the worst traits of Old Ladyism.) But in general, and in all sincerity, I’d say the women I’ve met have been real gems.

There are three in particular I wish to emulate. Here, in brief, are their stories. Remember, these are real people. Only their names have been changed

Indomitable Irene

Irene stands about six feet tall. Maybe.

Truthfully, I’m not sure. But it sure seems like she stands six feet tall.

Once I was having a conversation with a man from church. He asked where my husband was and I told him he was working on a project with Irene.

This is what the man said in response: “You might want to make sure he’s all there when he gets back. Make sure all his parts are intact. Know what I mean?”

I knew what he meant.

Leaving behind for the moment whether this was an appropriate comment for a church person to make (I’ve said before my church isn’t typical; maybe now you’ll believe me), I will say that added in with this man’s snarky comment was a tone of utmost respect.

Because the fact of the matter is, if you want to get something done, you put Irene in charge. She might break some balls to do it, but dang if that woman won’t get it done.

She can be brazen, she can be blunt, she can be pushy, and she has offended people. She’s even offended me. But here’s another thing: you can call her out on it and if you’re right (and I was), she’ll admit her mistake and apologize.

For while Irene has an iron will, she also has the biggest heart of anyone I’ve ever met. And while I can’t prove it, I think that’s where she gets her iron will.

Could I, one day, be an Irene? I don’t know. I’ve much learning to do.

Lillian from Lansing

Lillian stands three feet tall and weighs about 40 pounds. What I mean to say is, Lillian is small. You get the feeling a strong gust of wind might carry her off.

Which may be why she and her husband, Burt, are almost always holding hands.

One day at church, I was standing next to Lillian and couldn’t help but notice the gorgeous emerald ring she was wearing. After the service, I commented on it.

“My daughter gave it to me for my birthday,” she said with pride. Then she showed me her earrings and necklace. Gifts from Burt and her son.

“I absolutely love jewelry, always have. So that’s what everyone gives me.” She leaned toward me and added in a whisper, “Choose your interests carefully, dear. It can pay off big time.”

Since then I’ve been paying more attention to Lillian. Her clothing is always simple, but her jewelry makes her outfits stunning. That, and her glorious mane of white hair that flows down her back.

Lillian has had her share of health problems; last year in particular was rough. But once she was back on her feet, she came back in style.

Could I, one day, be a Lillian? Unsure. My closet could do with an overhaul.

Dorothea of Widow’s Row

While in Colorado, we attended a church with a mostly elderly congregation. There was a group of older women who attended service every Sunday and sat in the sixth row, right side. It came to be called ‘Widow’s Row’.

Dorothea was one of the widows.

She was a quiet, soft-spoken woman. One you’d probably not pay much attention to, as she didn’t belong to any groups or call attention to herself in any way.

The one thing Dorothea was known for was her chocolate chip cookies. She baked them several times a week and delivered them to people. She’d take them to a neighbor who was feeling ill, she’d take them to new parents, or someone who suffered a loss. She gave us a couple dozen when our son was in the hospital with pneumonia.

And when you complimented her, because truly, those cookies were the best, she always said the same thing: “Well, it keeps me busy.”

It was important for Dorothea to stay busy, because she was someone who knew great pain. Her daughter, her only daughter, was dead. After one year of marriage, in a fit of rage, her husband killed her.

I’m sorry to bring down the mood of this post so dramatically, but life sometimes does that to us, doesn’t it?

Without warning, it can deal you a crushing blow. Something  you are sure will tear the very breath from your body.

But somehow it doesn’t. Somehow, every morning, you breathe and eat and continue to exist.

You could stop there. You could become – what do they call it? – one of the walking wounded. But Dorothea didn’t stop there.

Eventually, miraculously, she found the strength to visit her son-in-law in prison. She even found a way to pray for him.

And somehow – I know this is hard to believe – somehow, in time and with much prayer, she forgave him.

It didn’t bring her daughter back. It didn’t ease her grief. But it did end her hatred.

And that’s when she started baking cookies. If you were lonely, if you were ill, or maybe there was no reason at all but she just got to thinking about you, you’d get a plate of cookies.

Could I, one day, be a Dorothea? Could I ever have that kind of strength and compassion?
Lord knows, I don’t want to find out.

And yet…

Life gives us no guarantees. There’s no way of knowing if our life will be easy or painful.

We could do as most people do and just push along, hoping for the best. Or — and this is the far wiser path — we could prepare ourselves as much as possible.

How?

Well, prayer or meditation helps. A belief in something bigger than yourself. Setting goals, practicing self-discipline. You know the drill. Everything that builds character and feeds your soul. All of it helps.

But we should always be looking for role models too, and I propose we first look to the older men and women we know. Because who better than the people who’ve actually lived through all this and got the t-shirt?

At the very least, you’re bound to hear a good story or two. And if you’re really lucky, you’ll pick up a great recipe. (Thanks, Dorothea.)

Illustrations by R.J. Hartwell (aka, Daughter)