may 28 - an old lady walked into a train...
On the train for Casino-Sydney trip, sat next to an old lady. She looked really old. I helped her pull the sleeve of her sweater properly on her arm because it was an effort for her to get it on. Turned out she had a bad shoulder. Began talking. She was really nice and very chatty. Learned she was going to visit her sister in Port Nelson, Sydney. She goes to her in winter, Paddy(the sister) comes to see her after Christmas. They take turns. They are of 7 sisters out of 8 children. The last one is a boy. Only 5 remaining sisters left(I think). She named them all. She has 4 girls herself and the eldest is 60 years old! The second one is a successful accountant and very rich. The third is a barber. A barber! Because she couldn't stand the bitchiness of ladies when she was a hair stylist. Has been a barber for more than 20 years now. The fourth one - I can't recall. Her brother's wife was a nasty little woman - and she was the only one that had told her off. And that sister-in-law still likes her, LOL. She has two dogs. Her husband doesn't travel - he likes to sit at home and talk to the television. She has been in and out of hospitals but is still up for train travels. At night. Amazing. The whole family will be congregating to Perth at the end of June for her first daughter's surprise birthday party organized by the son. They got cheap tickets to Perth because her third daughter bought it very early. Her daughters are all good friends. The third one is a little deaf but would not wear hearing aids. She couldn�t believe we have all left universities 10 years ago and said we have nice olive skin. She doesn't it when it gets very hot in Australia - too dry.
I knew the name of her sisters and all her daughters - but never caught hers. We wish her long life and healthy living. She was such a lovely companion on the train.