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Death Becomes Her

© Betty O. Spangle

Sunday night, February 18 2001, my husband's grandmother died. Simona lived with us, here in our home with myself, my husband, and our kids, for the last 7 months. She was much loved, and a very beautiful person. She was also 102 years old. Simona lived on her own, cleaning, cooking, and living good, until she was 99 and a half. Then, she needed a little help.

How did she live such a full, vibrant, healthy life? Well, grandma had many secrets to a vibrant, healthy life. Yet, ironically, her one true belief was eating for life. (Not, I'm sorry to say, my column, but her own views on the topic)

Simona never over ate. She believed that a person should eat whatever they wanted, when they wanted, and they should be happy and satisfied with their food.

She believed that, even at 102, if she wanted pizza and coke, then pizza and coke it was. However, she also believed in eating only until her hunger was satisfied. How? Simona believed in inner peace.

She believed that if you looked at your food, thought about the glory and grace of God in providing the food, and relished the taste, slowly, one bite at a time, you would never abuse the body you had been given.

She ate ice cream, cookies, eggs, and loved lollipops. She also drank water, water, and more water. Grandma believed that water cleansed the soul, and rejuvenated the spirit. Maybe a bit different thoughts than those we see advertised, however, no further from the truth. Maybe water does feed the inner soul. Who knows? Grandma certainly had plenty of life experience to back up her claims, haven been born in 1899, under President McKinley.

Simona was a unique, vibrant, and very, very healthy person. She did not take prescription medications. Stop for a moment and take that thought in. She was 102 years old. One hundred, and two years old. Grandma was 69 years old the day I was born. Yet, though I take 2 prescribed meds, she took none.

A free spirit, who loved laughter, life, and the beauty of our world. Grandma knew how to appreciate food, how to use it to nourish her body, and her soul, without harming herself in any way.

She ate her last meal Saturday night, homemade soup and some homemade potato salad. She didn't want the salad, so she didn't eat it. She asked, instead, for a tall glass of whole milk.