Dear Heloise: You printed a letter about recording the memories of our elderly family members, and I want to thank you and the person who wrote this hint.
My grandmother is 96 years old, and we sat down one day so that I could record her life memories. Her mind is still as sharp as a tack. She told me about her grandparents who came over to America after their wedding. Her mother was 18, and my grandfather was 22 when they landed on our shores. They bought farmland in Kansas, where all eight of her children were born.
There were stories I’d never heard before, some sad and some comical, but all of them were interesting. I typed up all she had to say (over 100 pages worth) and had them printed and bound to hand out to my own children. Now everyone in the family wants a copy. Again, thank you for this wonderful hint.
— Elaine D., Tacoma, Washington
GIFTING THE THREE FS
Dear Heloise: I have never written to you before, but I have a good idea for those who want to send gifts to seniors who have everything and need nothing else.
I remember when my mom was alive and it was gift-giving time, she would sadden me when I would surprise her with a gift. She’d say she wished I didn’t get her anything. She did like it if I got her tickets to a show and would take her there. But it would often be a drive for me, and I was working and taking care of a family.
Now that I’m this lady, I came up with an idea to let gift-givers know what would be fine with me. I tell them it’s my 3 Fs: flowers, food and fragrances! Flowers are expensive to send, but it’s a thrill for me to open the door to a delivery. Food can be something from those cheese and candy catalogs that I see at Christmastime, and fragrances can be smelly candles for my home (if they stay away from peppermint and lavender) or my favorite colognes.
I hope this helps out the gift-givers in your life like it has helped my adult daughter who lives in another state. No exchanging an item for another size or color!
— Jackie J., A Happy Reader of “Hints From Heloise”
Jackie, your hints are terrific! Most of us love food, something that smells nice, and flowers or a plant.
— Heloise
DON’T MISS ME TOO MUCH
Dear Heloise: I live several states away from my home state, but I go home about once a year. When I leave to catch my airplane, I always make sure that a bouquet of flowers are sent to my folks on the day I leave to let them know I appreciate all the time we spent together. I don’t care about the cost; I just want them to receive a big, showy bouquet of beautiful roses or some other lovely arrangement.
I had to laugh when my mother told me that a number of her neighbors were a little envious when the deliveryman showed up with a huge bouquet of two dozen pink roses after my last visit!
— Ian H., Orlando, Florida
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