This past weekend Greg and I drove to Tempe, AZ, did a half-ironman (Greg's version being a solo, 3-hour mountain-bike ride on South Mtn.), visited with his good friend Alex, and then drove to Tuscon to visit with his grandmother, Cecilia. She is 93, yet is completely lucid and impressively mobile. It made me feel a bit sad, though, to see her in an assisted-living home with only 12 other residents, most of whom have Alzheimer's...i.e., there aren't many people to talk to!

Even so, she seems to keep pretty busy, with the structured routine, and motivating herself to take walks twice daily (wow!). It was clear, though, that her own loss of physical abilities and strength were bumming her out. I wished she lived in the same town as I, so I could be her personal trainer - there's no doubt that light resistance work prolongs and even restores strength, especially in seniors!

Her building is nice and clean and surrounds a lovely courtyard, and the staff is very friendly. But the rooms are small and somewhat dark (though there is a mountain view), and residents are gated in (presumably so they don't accidentally wander out and get lost). She did choose the place herself, but my personal suspicion is that her extreme frugality drove the decision. I calculated that she spent her very formative years in the Great Depression - and her sense of thrift is obvious.

The funny thing is, these locked gates are adjoined by a low, stone wall - low enough that I could push up slightly and swing my legs over it. It occurred to me later that many people see a wall, a fence, or a lock, and see the obstacle. The first thing I see is how to get past it. (Does that make me a good potential thief?) It's a good thing that I do have a strong sense of conscientiousness... ;>

It was very nice to see her; and I know she was delighted to have company, and especially to see Grandson Greg!