Wonder woman who beat gangrene waltzes her way into another year
“Do I look 104”, asks a soft voice chattering about SachinTendulkar and Amitabh Bachchan animatedly as Goa’s oldest citizen LourdesConceicao Lobo welcomes another year of her life today.
Her plan for the birthday celebration is just another waltzwith kids a fourth of her age.
While statistics and ratio suggest that nearly 80 percent ofthe elderly people are resting in old age home, her children basks in the gloryof their mom who defies age.
“Other mothers must have not taken care of their children,that could be the reason their children have left them in old age home,” saysLobo squeezed comfortably between her eldest and youngest daughters.
“Look at my fingers how soft it is. Can you make out that Iam 104 years old?,” asks Lobo again as her grandson Jonathan asks if a look ather Portuguese era birth certificate is needed for confirmation.
Switching between English, Konkani and occasionallyPortuguese when the English language fails her train of thoughts, Lobo asks ifher photo will be featured in The Goan.
A naughty repartee that the photo is for a matrimonial sitetriggers a laughter that transcends a century of triumph of the spirit.
Lourdes Lobo had studied till Fifth Standard (Segund) inPortuguese and later moved to Amravati, Maharashtra for higher studies. A lovemarriage at 36 had Lobo shifting to Mumbai with her husband.
Her qualifications were enough to fetch a white collared jobto her, but her priority was her children.
She played the role of a housewife, teacher and priest togive her family strong moral values. Her children have not only imbibed hervalues but have been practicing it every day to give her a vibrant life thatshe lives. Her mantra for longevity – selective eating.
No wonder then that she does not look much of a mother offour and grandmother of six.
Last year when her diabetic toes suffered with gangrene, thedoctors advised her that her leg needs to be amputated till knee. Lourdesrefused saying, “Don’t you want me to dance with you? I was born with two legsand I will die with both of them. Doctors had lost hope but her family wasagainst amputating her.
A combination of homeopathy and prayers worked as her toesfell off but her legs were saved. The doctors christened her ‘Miracle woman.’
On her 100th birthday, a well-wisher had gifted a cup to herwith a quote – ‘Life is a journey of up’s and down. You have overcome allthese. You have climbed tall ladder of years and reached right on the top”.
At 104, she is still climbing the rungs of that laddereffortlessly.
