Surrounded by So Many

In the previous blog post, Madi and I shared some of Miss Mo’s most memorable stories. For class last week I printed out the blog post so our senior buds could have copies to take home. Meanwhile, Hazel had sorted through our class photos through the years and brought in the ones with Miss Mo in it – she had organized them in little palm sized photo albums. And, Beatrice and Norman dedicated their stories to our very dear friend.

It was the second week in a row that we discussed Miss Mo’s passing. Our volunteers who were visiting our seniors told me they couldn’t believe how well the seniors handled the news. It made me so proud of my senior buds. As I type this, I can see Miss Mo beaming with pride, too.

I learned something new these weeks. I learned that even grief, in the company of true friends, can be warm and sweet. It’s a lesson I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Beatrice Newkirk
1.10.13
Surrounded by So Many

Surrounded by so many but yet so few.  We are surrounded by my friends and also many people.  When we are here in this writing class we are with a lot of friends.  We hear their stories and we learn about what has happened in other people’s lives.  Some of our members have so much to write about, it doesn’t have to be to be about the past, it can be what’s happening now.  We have lost a good member of our class.  Her name is Miss Mo Grier.  She was 92 years old.  To hear her stories was very entertaining because she has come a long way.  Her stories always made us wanting to hear more.  We will miss her not being here.


Norman Cain
1.13.2013
Remembering Mo

When I first started coming to the senior center, I could not help noticing a short, dark, energetic, feisty woman who was always engaged in conversations, debates, giving out historic tidbits and kernels of wisdom.  While this woman who departed was affectionately known as Mo, her given name was Missouri, and she was named according to her Native American roots.

There are two things that stand out about Mo to me.  The first thing that I will forever recall is her oral storytelling and the second, her moving through the rows of tables during tea time telling those giving conversations during a medical presentation to shut up.

She had to fight to claim the mantle of authority.  She was one of the oldest if not the oldest member at the senior center, and had been a member for over twenty years.

We will miss you, Mo, but we know your spirit is still here.


Dorothy Leung, Copy Editor
1.9.2013

I am very sorry to hear about Ms. Grier's passing.  I very much enjoyed "getting to know her" through her stories.  She seemed like a wonderful person!



My best,
Dorothy