Seniors gather for luncheon on doctor's orders
Doctor celebrates Christmas with patients over 90
City of Oconomowoc - A small group of Dr. John Kelly's older patients met recently to celebrate the holidays.
The occasion marked the practice's fourth annual Christmas luncheon to which patients, age 90 and above, are invited.
Kelly, an independent general practitioner who has an office in the City of Oconomowoc, recalls the impetus for the gathering.
"A patient of mine, her husband had passed away a few months before Christmas four years ago. She was talking about how Christmas was just not going to be the same. A lot of the people she knew had passed away. I thought, if she feels that way, there are probably other people in my practice that age, 90-plus, that feel that way too," he said.
The doctor was determined to do something about that.
"So I thought we would try something. We looked up all out patients and found we had about 10 patients who were 90 and above and asked them if they would like to come for lunch and they all said, 'yeah we'd like to do it' and that's how it started. It's a lunch for the greatest generation. You have to be 90 to get into the club," the doctor said.
"Once you're in, you're in," joked patient Sylvia Radiske.
Six patients joined in the annual luncheon and sat at a linen-covered table replete with china and silverware to enjoy a catered lunch inside the reception room at Kelly's office.
"We had a couple of people who were going to be here, but had medical difficulties," that prevented them from attending, the doctor said.
Kelly said the tradition is something his age-appropriate patients look forward to.
"They all ask me every year if we are going to have the Christmas party again this year," the doctor said.
Conversation flows readily among this peer group over the remarkable things they have all lived through: the Depression, prohibition, World War II, Korean War and the Vietnam War.
"I think they have a lot say," Kelly noted.
They talk of the separation from their families during the war.
"Sometimes it would take two months for a letter to arrive," Al Koth recalled.
All of the six attending were born at home, and while some have cell phones, none of them use computers.
"We're kind of dinosaurs," Kelly says, adding that he, too, lacks computer proficiency.
While some of the luncheon guests still drive, all are enjoying good health and it is clear they are appreciative of Kelly's care.
"We're all grateful for you Dr. Kelly, for the excellent country doctor type that you are," said Ed Miller.
Kelly raised his glass in a toast to his guests.
"Merry Christmas; glad to see you all here and hope to see you all here next year," the doctor said.
"We'll try," laughed Koth.
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