Story and photo by Donald H. Harrison
SAN DIEGO – With Veterans Day having been observed in the United States earlier this month—and warfare between Israel and Gaza having dominated recent headlines – Laura Simon told a luncheon celebrating her 107th birthday about one of the first times she thought about soldiers and wars.
It was shortly after the Armistice Day in November 1918 that ended World War I that she received a letter from a soldier who had been overseas. Then turning 13 years old, she had written schoolgirl notes to the soldier, who was unknown to her, to tell him that everyone on the home front hoped that he would return home safely from the European theatre.
Mrs. Simon said she was amazed when she received a kind letter in return – imagine, a soldier so far away had taken the time to write a poor girl in Chicago to express appreciation. She said that she was so thrilled that she carefully preserved the letter, which today is about 94 years old, and a treasured heirloom.
While 15 friends and family listened to her reflect, Mrs. Simon said that America must not take the young men and women it sends off to war for granted. The country must realize how scared its fighting men and women sometimes are; how much pain they have to suffer; and how great is the cost of war to them and their families.
The centenarian, who is visually and hearing impaired, but who expresses herself clearly and in considerable depth, was asked by one guest how she was able to predict several years ago that America was in for tough economic times.
Mrs. Simon responded that having lived through the Great Depression, she recognized the symptoms of a failing economy – for example that during most of the year department stores seemed nearly empty instead of being packed with customers.
Without customers, there are no jobs, she noted.
A lifelong Democrat, Mrs. Simon said although the economy is in tatters, she doesn’t blame President Barack Obama, for whose reelection she voted. No man can single-handedly change the economy, she said.
Her actual birthday is Monday, November 26, but the celebration of her 107th birthday was held the day before at the Apollonia Restaurant in the Costa Verde Shopping Center, where Mrs. Simon particularly enjoys the moussaka. Hosts were her machatunim Andrew and Diana Benedek of Rancho Santa Fe, whose daughter is married to Mrs. Simon’s grandson and resides with him in Los Angeles.
In addition to birthday toasts, and a gluten-free birthday cake from Mrs. Benedek’s 2Good2B Bakery and Café of Encinitas , Mrs. Simon was presented with a special certificate from UCSD’s Sam and Rose Stein Institute for Successful Aging in recognition of her being featured as “this month’s successful ager” in that organization’s December 2012 news letter.
Maureen Curran, executive director of the Institute, brought along a preview copy of the article by Maja Gawronska in which Mrs. Simon was quoted as saying: “Everybody asks me what is the secret to successful aging.” Mrs. Simon was paraphrased as saying possibly it is genetic—her younger sister recently turned 102—and possibly it is a matter of attitude. “She never complains about health problems, keeps herself busy and maintains relationships with her family and friends,” the feature writer commented.
Added Mrs. Simon: “It is important to live as honorably as you can, pursue your passions and work hard.”
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Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World. He may be contacted at donald.harrison@sdjewishworld.com