Joyce Wordsworth

In this age of texting and abbreviations that are used in the name of “communication” it is a pleasant and welcome change to hear someone speaking English, the way it is meant to be spoken. I had the privilege of meeting such a person who knows the value of the language and she is 90 years old.

Yesterday was her birthday and I was very much there to witness the sparkle in her eyes while she cut the birthday cake. I am talking about Joyce Wordsworth.

Long distance wishes

As the party progressed she saw me busy with my camera, she beckoned me and asked “so how many photos have you clicked so far? A hundred?”  

I told her “It could be a few hundreds, but more than that I have to make a confession”  Her eyes widened and she brought her ear closer to me urging me to go on. (I felt as if I was kneeling at the confessional)

I told her that I took the liberty of clicking some photographs of her house while she was busy with her guests outside in the lawns.

“Really?”

Now I was not sure if that meant “Why?”  or “ without asking me?”

So I quickly added “you see I write blogs and I feel I should write a post on you. I would like some photographs to accompany my post”

She gave me an approving nod with a smile. I told her that once it is done I would bring my lap top and show her the post.

“Yes please do that, and also tell your wife to get me that freshly baked bread that she promised me long back”

Now it was my turn to raise the eyebrows. Such sharp memory!

with her nieces and nephew

So now I have to make sure both are delivered on time. Here is a person who will not forget anything and here I am who does not remember what I did yesterday morning!!

"where is the bread?"

She was a teacher in some of the prestigious schools in Pune. Her ex-students approached her and requested her (on bended knees) to accompany them for a party in advance for her 90th Birthday. She willingly accepted and joined them. She still takes  Spoken English classes.

with her brothers

Walking around her small cottage was an experience for me. I did hear many stories about how she refuses to dispose the old things in her cottage. I think each and every article in the house must be memories for her. 

Those key chains, those photographs, there must be stories attached to every item. I have made a mental note to come later and sit with her and talk to her. I am sure there will be many stories that she could unravel for me, both about herself and about Poona.

The party in progress

And now a picture of her from 1962 when she was teaching in one of the prominent schools in Pune (then known as Poona )
I think its easy to spot Joyce.

After all it is not every day that one meets someone who was born just after the aftermath of World War One.

The whole Wordsworth clan

Happy Birthday Joyce :-) There are not many like you . . . .

PS:
Joyce Wordsworth expired on 23rd Nov 2013 at the age of 91.