Mother’s Day 2020 was like no other.

Kathryn Guth, a 96-year-old resident of Sacred Heart Senior Living by the Creek, Northampton, shared her thoughts while admiring Mother’s Day messages in chalk, drawn on the macadam parking lot of the 21st Street facility.

According to her story, Guth was born in Coplay Borough, but her family moved to Allentown when she was an infant. Her mother died when she was 18 months old.

She said she would take the trolley to Northampton because there was no bus service.

Guth lived in Northampton for a while before returning to Allentown with her second husband. She worked for about 25 years at Allentown Public Library and was active in Boy Scouts, along with her husband, for many years.

Guth said it is hard to not have any visitors, due to coronavirus restrictions. Being the last in her family of her generation, she said she misses her son and extended family. Her son, Dale Layos, is returning to the area from Missouri. She noted they talk on the phone, but Guth looks forward to seeing him again.

She reminisced about her family, especially her brother, Michael Bolesky. Also born in Coplay, he was the co-captain of the Northampton High School football team on its 1938 championship team. A Pearl Harbor survivor and a decorated combat veteran, Bolesky died in 2006.

Living at Sacred Heart Senior Living by the Creek for less than a year, Guth said she is happy there.

“I can’t say enough good about the home. They are working hard to help us and keep safety. They all wear masks and are very nice,” Guth said, noting the staff has numerous activities to keep the residents busy. “But as you know, there is no place like home.”

When asked her feelings about the COVID-19 pandemic, Guth expressed frustration, with a glimmer of hope.

“This is horrendous. It is all over the world. People do not realize how easily it is transmitted,” Guth said. “It is sad. However, I do try to get outside to commune with the birds, animals and plants. It makes me feel better.”

As she was speaking, there were two adult geese with eight chicks walking on the grass nearby.

The bittersweet conversation ended with her saying, “Be safe. It was nice talking to someone else.”

She was informed when this passes, The Press will visit her to share more thoughts.

She smiled, saying, “Thank you.”