Photo of the writer’s mother Esther, aka Gram E, at The Flower Farm at Pierport. Photo by T. Genter.
By T. Genter
For the past 18 months, my brother Mike, my 94-year-old mother and I spent time driving around Mason County looking for the perfect post-army retirement location for my wife Kari and me. At least once a month I’d make the long trip from central Indiana to Tamarac Village beside Hamlin Lake. The routine always remained the same. On Saturdays we were out of my mother Gram E’s house by 0800 and at the first property by 0900. We were greeted by our steadfast real estate agent, Polina, ready for three to four hours of house hunting.
Gram E and Mike both enjoyed our road trips. Mike marveled at returning to places in Mason County that he had not been to in decades. Each time, Mike was willing to drive and never complained when we turned his truck into a muddy mess. My mom was up for anything; she was the most fearless person I know. Despite not always feeling up to it, she always made the trip. I’m sure she just enjoyed being with family. They both patiently listened to me as I went on and on about my dreams and ambitions and what made this property the one.
Finding a home
Fortunately, our house-hunting excursions ended on June 17 when we put in an offer on the river house, as my mom labeled it. The most important decisionmaker, my wife Kari, made the trip this time Up North. That was a blessing.
Within 10 minutes of viewing the place in Free Soil, all four of us knew this was the one. My wife Kari and my mom see eye-to-eye on a lot of things. After all, the river house didn’t require a lot of repairs, tear downs or rebuilds, which was a far cry from my ideal property — a smelly, 100-year-old farmhouse; a leaning, big red barn; 100 acres … You know the place, something with character. In my wife’s mind, character meant lots of work and lots of money.
In the end I am thankful North Myers, Scottville Road, Conrad Road and 30 other properties did not work out. I confidently deleted the Zillow app from my phone.
Our traveling mission
Fast forward to the end of July, and I was back Up North in paradise. I encouraged Gram E to go on a road trip to Frankfort on July 25, a Monday. That morning she said she didn’t feel well enough to go; she mentioned her neck and shoulders were stiff and sore. However, within the hour, she was readying herself to head out the door, all made up, wearing a colorful floral print jacket and sharp white slacks.
As a concession, I agreed to go only as far north as Arcadia. The purpose of the trip was to visit family vacationing in Onekama and stop by flower farms and a nursery along the way. We did all of that and so much more. I continue to be amazed at her energy level and ability to go, see and do. At times it was hard for me to realize that she was slowing down at age 94.
Looking back on that day, I realized I was too busy taking care of the dogs and failed to help my mother up a steep and long flight of stairs. We spent an hour or so catching up with Linda, Dan, Lisa, Clare and Grace at their spot overlooking peaceful Portage Lake in Northern Michigan. It was an overcast morning, but the temps were just right. A perfect summer day, and my mom was still going.
Making new friends
From there we drove to Arcadia Bluffs golf course and were wowed by the majestic views of the course and all the wonderful people dressed so nicely in their golfing outfits. We stopped at the access points at Arcadia and Pierport. We got out, took in the awesome views of Lake Michigan, the shoreline, and snapped the obligatory selfies of my mom and me.
Next, we visited The Flower Farm at Pierport and, like every other time, Mom made new friends. My mom had a special ability to engage and connect with people. I call it the Korwek charm. I saw it in Grandma Helen and all my mom’s sisters – Joann, Laurel and Ginny. My mom’s most recent schtick was to tell people she was in her 95th year and then go on and on about all the places she lived. The flower farm was no different. I felt embarrassed and put distance between myself and my mom. After all, I was on a mission.
The couple who owned the flower farm, Colene and Mark, were captivated by her. We learned their history, where they came from, what they did in the past, what brought them Up North and, most importantly, their purpose in life. After 45 minutes of chit-chat, we left — my mom, whom they had come to know as Esther, with a beautiful bouquet of flowers, gratis. It is heartwarming to come across kind and generous people like them who would take time out of their busy day and pay attention to our wonderful mom.
Retracing our route
We traveled back to Onekama and ate our lunch of sardines and Triscuits, with cheese and fruit, in the beach parking lot. We stopped for spring water and a quick tour of Black Cap Farm. She knew the nursery owner and they had a marvelous time getting reacquainted.
We made it back home in time to make supper and invited Mike and Cindy over for pork chops, baked potatoes and corn. My mom has a unique method for cooking potatoes in the microwave. Do you want to know what it is?
The next evening, she was medevac’d, air lifted in civilian terms, to Grand Rapids. She made sure to tell Mike to get photographs of her in the helicopter before they took off. We all believed the doctors would fix her up and she’d be back home by the end of the week. We thought 100 years were well within reach.
So, what are the key takeaways from a life well-lived? According to Esther …
- Live life to its fullest, always smile and be friendly.
- Be courageous, put yourself out there and meet new people.
- Always dress up, look nice and put your best foot forward.
- Be a life-long learner, go back to school and read or acquire new skills.
- Have faith – trust in God.
- If invited, go.
T. Genter is nearing the end of his professional career and will be returning home to Pure MI after being away for 30 years. He is an outdoor enthusiast with a conservationist mindset who cares deeply for the land, water and woods of Northwest Michigan.
