My Friend Ruby was an exceptional, talented lady who loved life, always busy and filled her time wisely. Up early, then on the go all day, with housework, gardening, painting, shopping, reading, writing, singing and dancing. This was her routine at 100 years old when I met her. Her Mother named her Ruby because it was her birthstone and she loved the color.

I received a call from a Home Service Company, and was asked to care for Ruby but warned she was hard to get along with. Still I agreed to help care for her, the house and her cat named Ebony. The cat was born in Ruby’s hand and they were bonded.

Later I noticed they had much in common, as both had a mind of their own, were independent, high strung, feisty, bashful, snoopy, loyal and loving. On sunny days Ruby was a songbird and we heard all kinds of old happy songs. On a cloudy day, she would passé around the dinning room table while saying, “I hope it doesn’t rain, and thinking of something to do or places to go.”

Ruby was full of stories about growing up and playing with small Indians in Chippawa Falls, Wisconsin. Her Grandmother helped raise her because her Mother traveled often with her Father, who worked for the railroad. After school days she became a teacher and in the evening taught dancing and could kick 15 inches over her head. Ruby and her Mother were like sisters because she was an only child and close in age. Later on her Mother introduced her to a young banker named Sumner Harris. He fell in love at first sight and she cared for him, but said he was all business, and had two right feet and couldn’t dance. Later they became good friends and wrote often while apart.

Next a girl friend and she tried out for vaudeville and went on the stage and the road. They loved performing and traveling on the train. Animals were another love and she found a crippled bird and cared for it as they traveled.

Now Sumner was missing her and wrote that he was joining the Army because World War I had started. Then he asked her to marry him so they could travel together. She married Sumner and became a financial officer’s wife, stationed in New York.

After the war they settled there and started a wholesale radio business. Always successful, they had many employees. Then came the 1929 stock market crash, and business was bad so they sold out and moved on to Chicago. That gave Ruby a good chance to go to Art School. When about to graduate they heard her Mother was sick with Cancer and Ruby rushed home to her bedside. Soon she died and Ruby was heartbroken. One year later she wrote a beautiful poem to her adored Mother called:

IN MEMORIAM

One year has harshly drawn its marks
Across the wrinkled face of time.
One year ago I saw you drift
Into the slumber, peace and ease that man calls death.

One year ago I saw all torture pass,
As soft I kissed your dimming, wandering eye
The agony of months released-relaxed
In stillness deep, that tore my heart apart
And made it cry, “She has not gone, Oh God, it cannot be!”

A year has written o’er the earth
It’s joy and woe. True now, dear God,
I know she is not dead, for lo!
Her love stands, greater than before, divinest love.

Sweet mother-love that holds me tenderly,
Stripped now of all its earthliness it shines
In high white purity, eternally mine.
A beacon guardian for my wearied soul.
You’ll call throughout the years, until we meet,
Oh Mother mine!

By Ruby Harris 1929

They decided to move to South Dakota and try homesteading land that the government offered. It was a great opportunity to be outdoors again, take care of animals and horseback ride. Off they went with relatives and friends. Before long they had lots of sheep and other animals. A few years later someone offered to buy the land as oil was found. They seemed to have the Midas touch and made a big profit on the sale. Then it was off to California to live in a milder climate. San Diego looked great so they bought another home and settled down. Regrettably, they never had children but made up for it by taking care of neighbors children and adopting a girl named Lois.

Now Sumner was busy buying and selling property and became a stockbroker. By the end of the Second World War they were taking long trips to South America, Alaska and other places. When home they were active in their church, and had many friends.

In 1978 after a long illness, Sumner passed away. Now for the first time Ruby was on her own and although sometimes lonely, her friends, neighbors and many activities kept her busy. When she reached 100 years old on July 3rd, 1997 everyone gave her a big birthday party. That’s when I met her because the Doc didn’t want her to live alone anymore. Of course, a nursing home was out of the question.

Her home was full of beautiful pictures and she had family pictures in the hall way. I noticed she had a very good command of English and didn’t like wasting words. Later on she told me she didn’t care for business and her husband always took care of that.

She fired many people because their hair was too long, another talked too much and was very negative. Some were just not good company and argued about things. It was hard having strangers in her home, but easy to get rid of them by confusing them with too many orders.

You are probably wondering why I lasted with this spoiled old lady? Well I almost did not stay, as right away she missed her watch Sumner had given her. I checked around and after not finding it, suggested we call the bookkeeper named Doreen. Doreen said she had it and was saving it in her house. Was this an act? Probably, but it didn’t bother me. I was always busy helping her dress, cooking, taking walks, reading, washing clothes, and answering the telephone and doorbell and other housework. We also took many long rides.

Why did I stay with her over three years? I admired her courage, spirit and wit. One day I said to her, “Ruby, you are never boring, “ and she said, “If there is no excitement we will make it.” Then we became friends and travelers together.

She had many health problems and needed a cane, circulation problems which helped by her wearing long johns and slacks in the winter. Also her hearing wasn’t very good. The skin on her arms was tissue paper thin which caused her to bruise easily. She couldn’t read anymore but still had good long distance vision. Why did she still enjoy life? While walking she saw and enjoyed the beautiful colors and things in nature. There were many birds and animals along the way and she fed them. We met people every day and they never guessed she was 100 years old, which was her fun. While at the beach and having a picnic we watched the surfers and waves. Some days we were lucky and had a beautiful sunset.

When we came home and opened the gate, we received a warm greeting from Ebony. She got up on her hind legs, nudged Ruby’s hand and gave her a kiss. Ruby said, “Ebony, you’re my baby, my treasure!” Ebony would walk in front of us to get more praise, almost tripping us, until Ruby would say, “move it, move it!”

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Miss Muriel