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Wrapped in Gratitude: Dorothy

Dorothy’s voice is an instant stress relief—soft, calm, and enveloping, the kind of sound that gently wraps around you like a warm, cozy blanket. Within moments of meeting her, you feel peace, gratitude, and a quiet kind of joy that lingers long after the conversation ends.

The very first thing Dorothy wanted us to know was how much she loves her caregiver. With a proud smile and a tenderness in her voice, she said, “She’s my buddy,” speaking of Maryanne, her ABC caregiver. Dorothy beamed as she talked about how good Maryanne is to her, making sure we understood just how lucky she feels. And Maryanne wasn’t mentioned just once.  Maryanne ranks pretty high in Dorothy’s world. Dorothy’s kind and true appreciation remind us of why we do what we do

Dorothy is cared for not only by her beloved “buddy,” but also by her devoted daughter, Leigh. Dorothy also hardly let a moment pass without expressing how grateful she is to “have my daughter.” The love between them is unmistakable, and full of mutual care. Dorothy repeated throughout our conversation, “I’m so lucky to have what I do and everyone who takes care of me.”

Her gratitude extends far beyond people. Dorothy appreciates everything around her—her comfortable surroundings, her television, the sense of home she feels each day. Nothing is taken for granted. “I never thought I’d live this long,” she said softly, “but you never know what God grants you.” She tells us.

Dorothy was born in Worcester, and when she was eight years old, her family moved to Portsmouth. With her mother working, Dorothy fondly remembers her grandmother as a strong mother figure in her life. She speaks of those years with warmth, recalling her grandmother’s contagious laugh. She remained in Portsmouth and eventually moved into a home built by her husband. Recalling the garden, they tended and yet again expressing a gratitude for a life well lived, it’s clear her home in Portsmouth is deeply rooted in her heart.

She worked for nearly 30 years at the phone company, eventually retiring after going out on disability due to severe bursitis in her arm. “I forget things,” she admitted with a gentle shrug, relying on Leigh to help fill in the details. Although Dorothy initially believed her stay with her daughter would be temporary, she moved in both to help with her granddaughters and to become comfortable, as Leigh explains—laying the foundation. Fifteen years later, Dorothy still lovingly refers to her surroundings at her daughters as home.

Dorothy’s life has known love and loss. She was married for 50 years to the love of her life—a man who took wonderful care of her and made sure she never had to worry. He passed shortly after their 50th anniversary, leaving behind a beautiful legacy and a life rich with shared memories. Together, they raised three children, though Dorothy heartbreakingly lost her oldest son. She carries that loss quietly.

Still, Dorothy considers herself “the luckiest girl in the world.” She says it with sincerity, not ignoring life’s hardships, but choosing gratitude anyway. “I’ve been very lucky—you can’t imagine how lucky I’ve been,” she shared. “Though I never dreamed I’d be in this world for this long.”

Her faith anchors her. “God’s the boss,” she said confidently. When we agreed, she smiled and replied with one of her signature sayings, “You bet your boots.”

Dorothy is clearly well loved. Even the housekeeper, despite a language barrier, stopped to hug her before leaving, ending with a heartfelt “I love you.” Around Dorothy, the universal language of love seems to speak louder than words.

And then—there’s her playful side.

When asked about hobbies, Dorothy shyly placed her head in her hands and a sparkle in her eye, while her daughter Leigh admitted to us “she likes to gamble.” After a brief pause, Dorothy added with a quiet giggle, “I’m a bad girl.” The joy on her face was unmistakable—especially when she found out her upcoming 100th birthday celebration would be casino-themed. Her eyes lit up. With a slight shake of her head and a soft chuckle, she repeated, “I was bad.”

It’s impossible not to love Dorothy. She is gratitude in human form—gentle, humorous, resilient, and deeply appreciative of the life she’s lived and the care she receives. Being in her presence feels like being wrapped in warmth, reminding you to slow down, to appreciate, and to hold life a little more tenderly.

And if even a fraction of Dorothy’s gratitude rubs off on you, it feels like a small win—one that makes you smile and softly say, “I’ve been very lucky.”