At age 95, Anne Forster is discovering artistic talent she never thought she had.
In her younger days, Forster says she couldn't draw a straight line. She also has shaky hands. But everything changed five years ago when she fell and broke her pelvis.
At the hospital, the doctor discovered she had a serious heart problem and told her what would happen if she didn't have an operation.
"He said either you go to sleep and don't get up, or have a stroke, or a heart attack," Forster recalled.
So Forster decided to have open-heart surgery. And not only did she survive, but she started a new life at Miami Jewish Health Systems, a living facility for seniors. That's where she started taking art classes. Forster's first water-color painting was so good, her family couldn't believe it.
Forster's son, Mark Bender, showed the painting of a teddy bear to his sister.
"I said, 'no you don't get it, Mom made this,' and my sister burst out in tears," Bender said.
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Forster takes multiple art classes every day at Miami Jewish Health Systems. She does weaving, ceramics, knitting, painting and jewelry.
"I can't tell you how happy I am at the home," said Forster. "It has opened a whole new area."
These days, the 95-year-old is so busy making paintings, ceramic animals and greeting cards with pressed flowers, she says there isn't enough time in the day.
"To me, it's so gratifying, I love it," said Forster. "It's a piece of me...so people will remember it always."
