By AMY SHANKLAND
Sandwiched
I may have shared with you in the past that I am blessed to have an adopted grandma. My own grandmothers passed away decades ago, so having a “bonus” grandmother has added so much to my life. And many of you know this remarkable lady – Betty Gerrard, aka Betsy Birdwhistle – a true legend in Noblesville and Hamilton County as a whole.
I met Betty during the Noblesville Preservation Alliance Home Tour in 2011. What’s crazy is that we could have met several years beforehand. She literally lived on the other end of the block from me! I had heard so much about her and was thrilled when she took my hands that morning and said, “I’d like to get to know you better.”
We instantly became friends. I loved stopping by to see her on my walks home from city hall. We shared so much – Dairy Queen, girls’ nights, and even a memorable sleepover where we (according to Betty) “Did our hair and talked about boys.” Betty even taught me how to make a good pie.
After she fell and broke her hip seven years ago, she moved to Sanders Glen in Westfield. Thankfully Betty was okay, but I went from seeing her a few times a week to visiting her every month or so. We’re still close, however, and she even declared me to be an honorary granddaughter. I was thrilled to attend her 100th birthday party in August.
I visited her last Saturday and had the pleasure of enjoying not only her company but also two of her friends, Loreena and Adisa, who are also around the 100-year-old mark. I was surprised that the hour absolutely flew by thanks to the fun conversation. All three ladies were sharp, spry, and filled with joy. And I could see why.
They all had positive attitudes. They had lived interesting lives where they were involved in their communities with either fascinating careers and/or volunteer work. They had and have numerous friends of all ages and were physically active through housework, exercise, and their jobs. I noticed that none of them needed wheelchairs.
Betty is also known as Betsy Birdwhistle because that was her role when she worked for Conner Prairie for decades. I think that is one key to her longevity and successful life as a 100-year-old.
What does all this have to do with the sandwich generation? Let’s face it – as we care for not only our families, but our elderly relatives, we can’t help but wonder about our own futures as older people. As I’ve stressed in this column, we absolutely have to find time to take care of ourselves so we can take care of others. I think of it this way – if our own “well” is dry, there’s nothing left to give to the world.
If we work on our mindset, enjoy our work (paid or otherwise), surround ourselves with positive people, and eat well, get good sleep, and exercise, we can increase the chances that our later years will truly be “golden” ones. That’s an important goal as we take this sandwich generation journey one day at a time.