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May 24, 2006
Maddalena or Magdalena?
As I was preparing to talk about my book in one of the senior retirement facilities around Princeton, a well-appointed woman came to me and said: my sister’s name was Magdalena. Her eyes lit up, as if recalling life long ago in her native Hungary. I also found out that we shared the first name, Eva, and the cultural roots.
After the room filled with people who came on their own accord, and some in wheelchairs, I spoke about Alessandro Farnese, the main character, the cardinal who took thirty years to take his sacred vows. Immensely rich, he enjoyed women and fine life. At its end, no doubt worried about his immortal soul, he surrounded himself by Jesuits praying for his salvation.
Most of the people I meet during these lectures, come from all walks of life and choose voluntarily (some, unfortunately, by necessity) to complete their lives in retirement communities. Many still radiate energy and eagerness to keep busy and well, and a few souls simply move on.
It gives me so much pleasure to see their faces, shake their hands after the talk is over, knowing that I have contributed to their well-being. After having watched my father slip away in an assisted living place, fighting brain cancer, and my grandmother lose her quest to become a centenarian, and seen so many old faces, I became aware how much we owe the generation who paved the way for us.
It makes me happy to see them smile while telling them about a special woman named Maddalena.
Posted by Eva Siroka at May 24, 2006 09:01 AM