Move over Marlee. Flo is back.
After spending a month last winter in the hospital mending from cracked ribs and a fractured pelvis, my mom celebrated her 92nd birthday doing what she loves: dancing.
Flo fell in her apartment in December. She went through rehab at the hospital, then had a physical therapist come to the house for a while. Since then, she’s been rehabbing on her own, going through the exercises prescribed by the physical therapist every day, and adding a bit more on her own. One day she would take a couple steps with her walker, the next she’d head down to get her mail by herself. She figured out how to get down the hall with a walker to do her laundry, how to take the garbage out, how to get outside on her own when my sistr Cheryl came by to help her run errands.
Last weekend, Flo joined us in Louisville to celebrate her birthday. She danced. Both Friday and 
Saturday nights. A highlight: on Friday night a complete stranger approached and asked her to the dance floor. She is still beaming. “He was a good dancer!”
Note: one does not have to be able to see to tell if someone else is beaming. You can feel it in the air.
My dog did not join Flo on the dance floor –Hanni has two left feet. Hanni did honor Flo when we all got back to the hotel, though. I shared a hotel bed with Flo, and when the belle of the ball climbed into bed next to me Saturday night, she couldn’t help but boast. “Hanni is sleeping on my side of the bed tonight,” Flo whispered.
I wasn’t surprised. Hanni has a nose for talent.
That says it all- hard to believe that she was so weak in the hospital a mere 4 months ago. AND when they announced her birthday and age at the dance, the woman at the next table said she would have guessed that she was 20 years younger!! I think we should all dance!
Yeah, and I even left out the part where Flo stood up like the beauty queen she is and waved to the crowd when her birthday was announced. What a role model hse is!
That’s funny…..Flo and Hanni bonding. Who du thunk that?! It was great to see her on the dance floor having a ball celebrating her 92 years!! Inspiration!!
I love hearing about people having fun–atta girl Flo!!! I remember Flo (and others) doing the chicken dance at Mike and Beth’s wedding many years ago. That was a party.
p.s. This is the first time I’ve left a message on a blog site. Thanks for the opportunity. Regards to all the Finkes.
I am so flattered that my blog is the first one you’ve ever commented to — thanks!
Am also flattered that you remember our wedding as a “real party” — that is high compliments coming from someone who knows how to have fun and enjoy life the way you do.
Looks like Auntie Flo had a wild time in Louisville, sorry I could not have made it down. Darrell said something about a party in Elmhurst also. I sure couldn’t keep up with her. I am in Philly right now, Jennifer has her next treatment tomorrow 4/28. My regards to all my cousins.
Oh, that’s right! Rich made Flo a big birthday dinner in Elmhurst the night after she returned from Louisville. I’m with you, Jerry: I can’t keep up with her, either!
Regards back to our cousins, we’re especially thinking of Jennifer. Hope all goes well tomorrow.
Congrats to you Auntie Flo and all the FInkes and Moos’ who can keep up with you…that would be 0.
Best to all.
Hmm. Your message got me thinking. There’s gotta be *one* Finke or Moos who can keep up with Flo.
Owen, maybe?!
Oh, Beth, this is cool!!! What great news that Flo cut a rug across the dance floor, and Hani knew who the true star of the evening was!!!
Vanessa and Seeing Eye dog Griffin
Yup. I think Griffin and Hanni should be judges for the next season of “Dancing with the Stars”!
Beth, I think that hani and Griffin would make great judges. Perhaps my cat, Kitkat, could also join in on the judging duties. But when it comes right down to it, Flo should be the head judge!!!
Vanessa and Seeing Eye Dog Griffin, and the furball, Kitkat
Thumbs up for adding Kitkat to the list of judges. Can’t add Flo to that list, though — if she’s a judge, she can’t compete!
Well, you do have a point. We do want Flo to be a contestant. But after she wins, she can be a judge for the next season!!!
Vanessa and the beasties, Griffin and Kitkat
I love the way you phrase it — “after she wins” rather than “if she wins”!
[…] Flo, having her cake and eating it, too, at 93.You know her as the birthday gal who dances with younger men at jazz blubs, the sophisticate who insists on having a phone near the toilet when she stays in a hotel room, the […]
[…] sisters and I schedule our annual Sisters Weekend around Flo’s birthday each year. Two years ago we all gathered in Louisville to visit our brother Doug and his wife Shelley. Last year we stayed at an Inn on the Fox River and […]
Leave a Response