This time, we are interviewers in this initiative, and the truth is that they deserve company and to write down the advice they give from their vast life experience.
Thinking about the long-lived people around me, the truth is that on the street where I live, they have been changing one by one, due to age, illness, or because it was their time to go, as I say. That was the case with my mother... it was her time to go, and she left when God decided it was time.
I did this interview with my mother-in-law. Her house is next to mine. She is 94 years old and still coordinates her physical movements and her words, although sometimes she has lapses to the point of not remembering the names of her children or the person who is caring for her at the moment. She really likes mangoes.
She is originally from El Maco, Margarita Island, Nueva Esparta state. Her history goes back to those families who left different parts of Venezuela for the city of El Tigre when the black gold boom began. They were looking for a better life with the opportunities offered by the oil companies, for themselves and their children. She gave birth to seven children, all of whom are still alive. She has 21 grandchildren and 13 to 14 great-grandchildren. Of course, everything has changed in terms of family gatherings and migration. There are fewer of us, but her birthday and Mother's Day celebrations are still a big deal.
One of the pieces of advice she gives to young girls today who have to get married is that marriage is necessary. She does not agree with today's relationships and the way couples decide to get married. Among other things, she says: “How is that? First they live together for many months or a few years and then they get married... Not me, first my marriage.” She has always been very proud of getting married without being intimate with her boyfriend (who later became her husband).
Her other piece of advice is: “Every ship must hold its own sail.” When she told me this, I asked her... “How is that?”
She replied very calmly, "I didn't make life difficult for anyone. My daughters had their situations with their husbands, and I never got involved. Everyone decides and endures if they want to, handling things as they see fit."
She applies this advice very well because this lady has truly handled her affairs in a very calm manner since I met her.
Then she tells me, “My dear, I am calmly waiting for God to give the order. What else can I do?”
So, every afternoon, this lady sits on the porch of her house to have coffee and a snack with whoever happens to be with her that day. On the day of the interview, my husband was with her.
Translated with DeepL.com (free version)