Monday, February 28, 2011

A Century Old Secret

Last week, the lady who taught the town English
 turned 100 years old...

Isn't she lovely?

The whole small town came out to celebrate its most beloved citizen. She was showered with cards and flowers from everyone from former students to the Governor of our state.


A resolution was read in her honor at the State House...
She was a bullet point in the pastor’s sermon on perseverance...
She even got a shout out from Willard Scott.

It was a week of festivities both large and small which ended with a DAR luncheon on Saturday and a church dinner on Sunday night. 

She must have been exhausted; I know I was. Ever the lady, though, she was far too gracious to show it. She just smiled and narrated her way through every last one.

Story after story.
Memory after memory.

She told how as a single young teacher, she was required to sing in the church choir. She couldn’t sing well at all, she said, so she chose to lip sinc and hide under a big floppy hat.

Which she then proceeded to model for us, cheeky grin included.

I don’t know what was more comical, the sight of her wearing the floppy hat or the fact that the Centenarian knew and used the term “lip sinc”.

It shouldn’t have surprised me, though. The woman is the poster child for the maxim, “You’re as young as you feel.” Naturally, when you reach that milestone one century mark with the vim and vigor of this lady, people ask one question.

What’s your secret?

It really wasn’t a secret, she said. She couldn’t take credit for the Providence of very good genes. After all, her own mother had lived to 105. What she did advise, though, was to make the most of any age by setting your heart on a positive attitude.

To both groups of people, she shared that treasured old verse from Philippians.

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good report. If there is any excellence and if anything is worthy of praise, *dwell* on these things.


But to the DAR ladies alone, the lady who taught the town English added one more nugget of wisdom.

A little powder and a little paint
makes you look
like what you ain’t.

And she gave us the thumbs up.

Grand old ladies... Does anyone else think they ought to be considered a national treasure?

27 comments:

At The Picket Fence said...

Once again Debbie, you shared something that I feel like was just for me. I needed to read that scripture tonight and to hear about a life well-lived. Definitely needed a little...ahem...attitude adjustment tonight so this was the perfect encouragement! Thank you for sharing this lovely lady with us! :-)
Vanessa

elizabeth said...

Wow, she is beautiful! Also, I agree with Vanessa...on this really gray, rainy Monday I needed a reminder to keep my mind set on the right things!

CAL said...

She looks amazing, 100 years, my gosh. Lovely birthday cake too!

Lynn said...

Very inspiring! I'm sure there's a lot of wisdom wrapped up in those years:@)

Kathleen said...

Yes, she is very beautiful and all there with her cough drops too! What a great memory she has to recall all the stories she told. Very inspiring and I love the scripture she quoted. Thanks for your sweet comment on my last post. Kathleen.

Denise said...

Such a fine lady indeed. You know I've always wanted to grow up and be her. I've another lifetime, though, to get to her age. (50 + 50) Her recitation of scripture was the best part of the whole weekend. I have trouble remembering verses now, I can't imagine how bumbling I'll be at her age.

What a great tribute to such a remarkable woman. Thanks for the inspiration.

Patti said...

She is beautiful!!! And that cake, wow!!! Totally gorgeous.

I love that the whole town came out to celebrate her. That is a picture of small town America from days gone by!!

Have a great day,
Patti

Ann said...

You have wonderful role models Debbie! And, she's gorgeous to boot!

Cheers!

Crickit said...

How sweet this lovely lady looks. I also love that verse. I need to be dwelling on it more in my own life. I agree about the "powder and paint"- it sure helps! Great post!

The Charm of Home said...

How cute Debbie! Shouldn't we all take a listen to anyone who has had that much livin'. They are bound to have some good advice. Such a sweet post!
Sherry

Angel said...

This is fantastic! I love how you and your whole community celebrated this lovely lady. We all should do more of that - celebrating the "Real" celebrities in our world instead of the ones on TV. Blessings to you!

FrouFrouBritches said...

She sounds wonderful! Love that last saying!!! From her picture and description, she very much reminds me of a lady I went to church with growing up.

Red Couch Recipes said...

Wow! What a hoot at 100! She is a great example to us all. Loved the "paint" verse! Joni

Renée said...

I love her in every way! What a fabulous role model and she's cute as a million minutes. Thanks for a very fun, (once again) post, Debbie.

I'm off to purchase MORE paint and powder. It's the only think I can purchase with abandonment. Anything else, and I'm in trouble!!!!!

Sharon said...

This woman is absolutely stunning! And yes, a national treasure indeed! It's funny, Debbie - just today I posted something about a lovely woman of 90, and something that happened at the assisted living facility just last Friday. It was a special moment. Older people who have a positive attitude just seem to glow, don't they?

As for me, seems like lately I'm needing a little primer before I apply the paint. Oh well - at least I haven't resorted to wallpaper or decoupage yet...

xoxo

At The Picket Fence said...

What a wonderful story Debbie! Oh to always live with such a wonderful outlook on life! I love what she told your DAR group! What a blessing to know such a great lady!

Heather @At The Picket Fence

http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ said...

100 YEARS OLD! What a beautiful lady, inside and out. I would so LOVE to live 100 years and look and sound like she does... blessings on your friend, she blessed me today and you too, for sharing her with us!

Linda W said...

Thanks, Debbie, for introducing us to your lovely friend. She's a beauty and a true testament to growing old gracefully.

Sending belated Happy Birthday wishes her way!

bj said...

Ohmygoodness...she is AWESOME. Beautiful lady.
My congratulations go out to her.
xo bj

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

Oh I love this...and here I am coming so late to the announcement. My mother-in-law will be 96 in a couple of months...so I bet we see her at 100! How precious..what wisdom. Now why can't we as a society understand that age is something to treasure instead of feeling we need to be young all the time? There truly is wisdom that comes with age.
Oh, Happy Birthday!

Mevely317 said...

How cool ... she's precious, isn't she? God bless her!

Chatty Crone said...

Gosh - and I am not just saying this - she looks great! Good for her. Sandie

Cooking Up Faith said...

100? You've got to be kidding me! She looks great!!

Ms.Daisy said...

Debbie,
What a beautiful lady...she has spunk and spirit too...love her sense of humor (maybe that's the secret?) Thanks for this lovely tribute.

~Jean

Decor To Adore said...

I think that you may live in the best town ever. I love that you celebrated someone and something so sweet and pure!

FABBY'S LIVING said...

OMG! How wonderful this lovely lady looks! How so very special it is to live in a small town where everyone knows and loves their beloved Eng. teacher...just unique. God bless her for ever. Thank you for sharing such a heart warming post.

LOVE
FABBY

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Oh My Gosh Debbie! She looks better than me! What a lovely lady, and with a sense of humor too! Loved her words of wisdom. laurie

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