A Bench Story Celebrating 97 Years

Last week, Mother and I braved winds howling over 20 miles per hour and a windchill of 31 degrees to visit Windmill Island on her 97th birthday. We walked out to the “Jane Tree Corner” to see the Jane Magnolia and the bench commemorating the life she shared with her twin brother.  I am so grateful I did not wait until Mother passed to fund a bench honoring her and her twin. The bench is a never-ending invitation to be in conversation with a woman who is my mother and friend. On this day, the conversation was all about her twin. While he died almost three years ago, she had no doubt he was right there with us. It was an honor to be in their presence. 
 
A gift to the city has become a gift to myself. 
 
Benches matter: benches with full back support, arms that help lift one off the seat and under trees that protect paper-thin skin from the sun, eyes increasingly sensitive to light. Is there an opportunity to add a senior-friendly bench in your favorite park?