It seems like a strange thing. It’s the same sort of day out as Ma used to tell about all those years gone by. She said that the day I was born it started out as a very cold and sunny morn. By noon it had turned into a blizzard. It seems ironic that exactly one hundred and five years later it would be identical. Looking out the window and seeing all that snow blowing around makes me shiver. I feel bad for all the travelers.
Seeing my reflection in the window makes me shiver more. I see a very old woman staring back at me. Is that really me? It’s so hard to fathom that it is. I still feel the same as I did all those years gone by. I’m still me, but I surely don’t look like that me. Wrinkles and sagging skin obscure my true identity. Not only has old age robbed me of my youth, but it has robbed me of my sparkling eyes and glowing skin.
I was one-hundred and five on Friday. Even though I know this to be true, it seems impossible that I’ve lived so long. Mentally I don’t feel that old, yet there are days my joints do a lot of complaining, and I know it’s true. I must be mindful to appreciate the fact that my brain has not decayed to the extent that my exterior has.
I’ve lived in three centuries. How common is that? Born in 1897, and now we’re in the year 2002. A lot of things have come to pass during all those years I’ve put behind me. I grew up in a pioneer family, and now we’re in the computer age. There sure have been lots of changes in this old world in my time. It seems hard to believe that I’ve come so far. I guess you never know where you’re going to end up until you get there. Looking forward is sure different than looking back, that’s for sure. The road of life has taken me for quite a ride.
Some say I’m sort of a celebrity to have hung around so long. I think that it’s mostly because I’m one-hundred and five and still have my wits about me. I guess having done my living through three centuries does make me somewhat of a celebrity, unintentionally, but a celebrity all the same. That’s why all these people think it’s such a big deal to have this shindig for me today.
I guess there aren’t very many who get to see one-hundred and five. Most who get this far don’t have mind enough left to comprehend who they are, never mind how many candles to put on their darn birthday cake. That’s a lot of living done, and it will take one hell of a big cake to hold all those candles. Not sure if I have the wind to blow them out.
I really can’t say that this milestone is such a big deal for me. It’s not so great looking from this angle. All my close friends are gone. Four of my own children are gone. I had to leave the comfort of my own home to move here. There’s been so much loss. It’s been hard to accept, but I guess a body just has to, and moves on. What don’t kill you makes you stronger. That’s what Ma used to say.
I really don’t like all this fuss, but I told my granddaughter, Beth, that I’d be on my best behaviour, if only for her. She has gone to a lot of trouble getting this gathering put together. There will be a lot of fancy decorating and food, to no expense. All for me they say, but I think they have themselves in mind as well. What can you do for an old woman like me on her birthday? I recall those times with my Ma and Pa when they got up in years. Their birthdays were for making memories. That’s what it’s about.
“Knock, knock. Hi Gran. Are you ready?”
“Oh. Hi, Beth. I was deep in thought and didn’t hear you come in. Is it time for me to go to the auditorium?”
“Yes it is, Gran. Everyone is here and they’re waiting for the guest of honour to join them. Are you ready to go?”
“Yes dear, I just need to grab my sweater and we’ll be off.”
My daughter, Jackie, is waiting at the entrance to the auditorium. She gives me a big hug and says, “You look great, Mom. Let’s go in.” She and Beth escort me into the big room. Everyone is waiting for my arrival, and the minute I enter the room they all start to sing “Happy Birthday”. Well, what a surprise! When the song is finished, everyone claps and cheers. I am a little overwhelmed, to say the least.
I take a quick look around the auditorium. The room is packed. I can’t believe that there is such a big turnout with the weather being what it is. Even some of the local politicians are here. I’m interested in hearing what they will say. They don’t know a lick about me or the times that I’ve come through. I guess they’ll find something to say. I’ve never known a politician who was lost for words. They can talk forever and say nothing. Must be a gift. Wow, what a crowd indeed!
Then, everyone comes forward with lots of hugs and handshakes, smiles and laughter, reminiscing, and catching up with news. It is such a gay atmosphere. Everyone seems to be enjoying themselves. It really is nice to have the chance to get so many family members together today for a happy occasion. In the past few years it’s been for funerals.
My son Jacob and his wife, Nancy, along with two of their children and families have made it. Of course, Jackie, my youngest daughter, and her husband, Eric, along with all four of their children and families have come. They’re Beth’s parents, and, of course, she’s here with her little brood.
Several of my son Murray’s children and their families have come. My daughter Mary Beth’s three granddaughters and their families, and several of my daughter Charity’s children and grandchildren are here.
Logan’s three children, my step children, and most of their families were all able to make it today. John and his crew are here from Halifax. The others all live closer. I raised them like my own, and he mine, after we got together all those years ago. A good bunch of my nieces and nephews have taken the time to drop by. It touches me how they all try to come together on these special days.
I’m happy to see so many of the residents have joined us as well. They’re like family now. Some have become close friends these past few years. It’s nice to have made friends here. Otherwise, this big fancy place would have been pretty lonesome. It’s quite a crowd for sure. There’s lots of chatter and commotion.
Oh, I see the administrator of this big house, Mr. King, going to the microphone. I guess it’s time to get things started.
“Good afternoon everyone. I’d like to invite everyone to take a seat.” We all do, and he continues. “Thank you. Welcome everyone, and happy birthday Anna. It’s an honour to be here today to be part of your wonderful birthday celebration. I haven’t had the opportunity to participate in very many birthday parties for people that have achieved such a milestone. To think that you are one-hundred and five is truly remarkable. When I met you, thirteen months ago, I couldn’t believe how spry you were. You left quite an impression on me during our initial conversation. I remember thinking that your memory was astonishing. I’ve had the opportunity to talk to you on various occasions since then, and I have learned what a wealth of information you are. You are a very special lady, and you bring inspiration to us all. I hope you enjoy your special day immensely!”
Mr. King introduces the local mayor and he says a few words.
“Thank you, Mr. King. It’s a real pleasure to be here today for such a wonderful occasion. Anna, you are truly a remarkable lady. You are not only celebrating a huge milestone by turning one-hundred and five, but you have lived your life in three centuries. That isn’t unheard of, but it sure isn’t very common. You have witnessed a lot of changes in this area throughout your lifetime. I know that you can tell us anything we’d like to know about our local history. Your family has been here since the beginning. They were amongst the first settlers who moved to our outlying townships, and the information you can share is truly amazing. We are blessed to still have you with us.” He then picks up a huge bouquet of flowers from the table beside him and walks toward me and he says, “On behalf of the municipality and myself, I wish to present you with this gift to commemorate this grand occasion. Happy birthday, Anna.” He kisses my cheek and hands me the flowers, then sits back down. Everyone claps.
Mr. King returns to the microphone and thanks the mayor. Then he introduces our MPP and asks him to say a few words.
“Thank you, Mr. King. It is a great honour to be here today for this very special occasion. I am excited to be part of it, Anna. I can see by the huge turn out today, in spite of the miserable weather, that you have touched the lives of many. I was talking to some of your family before you arrived. I could see the love in their eyes, and hear the pride in their voices when each of them was talking about you. You are a special lady and you must have been a wonderful mother. I am here today to present to you a certificate, signed by the Premier, to commemorate your one-hundred and fifth birthday. I wish you well, Anna. Congratulations and happy birthday.” And with that, he brings the framed certificate over to me and shakes my hand.
“Thank you,” said Mr. King “Now, I would like to ask Anna’s daughter, Jackie, to say a few words.”
With that, Jackie approaches the microphone and starts her speech.
“Thank you Mr. King. I would like to thank everyone for coming today to help Mom celebrate this joyous occasion. I know that it means a lot to her. She was very apprehensive about having a birthday party. It took a lot of convincing by my daughter, Beth, to talk her into it.” Jackie looks towards me and smiles, “I’m so glad that you changed your mind, Mom. It would have been sad to have this special moment in time pass you by without any recognition. It is a very good possibility that no one else in this room today will have the opportunity to live long enough to celebrate their one-hundred and fifth birthday. It’s very rare. Thank you, Mom, for letting us share in your special moment.”
Jackie returns her attention to the rest of the audience and continues. “Mom’s life journey has not been an easy one. She grew up during tough times. Her childhood was spent on the Hayes family homestead, with her nine brothers and sisters. There was no hydro, plumbing, telephones, or cars in her early years. It was a very rigorous lifestyle. Everything was done by manpower or horsepower. Mom would tell you that it was a simpler and purer life, in those times. She was very close to her parents and siblings, and has many happy childhood memories to share. Family has always been very important to her.
It was during the war years, World Wars I and II, and the depression years, that Mom married and raised nine children. Life was not always kind to her. There were many hardships for both Mom and Dad to overcome, but their strength and perseverance pulled them together and got them through. As time passed, life improved, and they were able to enjoy many happy times in their later years. That’s when Mom and Dad did some traveling, and enjoyed seeing Canada’s landscape from coast to coast.
Mom has always had a keen appreciation for nature. She enjoys the seasons and finds beauty in each one. She always loved being outside gardening and taking long walks in the woods. I’m sure that has helped her to maintain her physical health. She always said that fresh air and sunshine are good medicine.
Mom is an extraordinary woman. She is a wonderful mother, and a very dear friend. Mom was born in 1897, and has lived her whole life in this area. She has often remarked that she couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. She was born of humble beginnings, and has witnessed history in the making. She is a wealth of information, and has so many life experiences to share. Mom, we love you dearly and have been blessed to have you with us for so long. Happy Birthday”
With all the formalities over it’s my turn. Mr. King introduces me. I stand tall and walk with a brisk step to where the microphone is. I look out at all my visitors, smile, and read from the papers where I have written down these words.
“Thank you, Mr. King, and thank you everyone for all those kind words. I’d like to thank everyone for coming out today to help me celebrate my birthday, and I really want to say thank you to all the people who worked hard to put this party together for me. I sure do appreciate it. It’s important to spend all the time you can with those you love, especially when you get up in years like myself.
I was just thinking it’s hard to believe that so many years have passed. I don’t feel one-hundred and five. It just seemed to sneak up on me. It’s really difficult to even fathom that I’ve made it this far. I sure don’t know why I have. Maybe it’s good genes. My parents, Chase and Beth Hayes, both lived into their nineties. Several of my brothers lived into their nineties, as well. My sister Eva, that’s short for Geneva, died a few years ago, a week after her one hundredth birthday. She was a real gem.
It’s a puzzle why I get to see each day come, then go. I can’t say that I have any real secrets to share. No real advice as to how to live to be so dang old. I just really enjoy life. Always have. I just try to take each day as it comes, and make the most out of it. I love to laugh and I enjoy seeing others laugh, even if it’s at my expense.
Oh, I’ve shed a lot of tears along the way. I’ve buried three wonderful husbands, all my siblings, and my parents, and four of my own children. I’ve also had to say good-bye to many friends that have gone on before me. Those were all sad times. But I made up my mind early on that I would give myself a few weeks to grieve, then I had to pick myself up, dust myself off and move forward. You can’t rewrite history, so you just have to accept things as they come.
I believe in fate and think everything happens for a reason. Sometimes it’s hard to understand what the reason is, but eventually everything just seems to work out. Hindsight is twenty-twenty, you know.
I feel that I’ve had a good life. I’ve been very fortunate next to others I’ve known. I was privileged to have shared love with three kind and gentle men. They all loved me dearly, as I did them, and they took good care of me and our children. I raised nine children in all. They turned out to be hard working, good living people. That’s all a parent can ask, and I’m proud of every one of them.
My family and friends were always an important part of my life. We sure put in some fun-filled days together. We also shared many a tear. Some in joy, and others in sadness. That’s what gets you through the rough spots life throws at you. It’s friends and family that help you through.
I’ve never had the luxury of great wealth, but I sure can say I’ve had the good fortune to do a lot of good living. My wealth has been the memories I’ve made as I’ve gone along. Good memories are golden, I say.
I’ve always had lots to eat. It was mostly home grown and fresh from the garden. Good nutritious home cooking keeps a body healthy. Mostly I’ve cooked my own meals. I was never one to purchase those premade meals. I like to know what I’m eating and where it came from. At least until I moved here.
Being out of doors has always been a key element in my life. Me and Mother Nature enjoy each other’s company. Nothing like a day of gardening or hiking to freshen the mind and cleanse the soul. I loved to spend time with my Pa growing up, and he had a huge appreciation for nature. He loved all the beauty and grandeur nature offers us, and passed that love on to me. Up until the last few years, I always took the opportunity to get outside every day. Nothing better than the feel of the sun’s warm rays on your face to cheer up your insides. It was like a form of therapy. I loved to smell the sweetness of the fresh air and see the blue in the sky. A bright sunny day always made me appreciate how good it was to be alive. It has dang near killed me being cooped up inside so much since I moved here. I know the good doctor is just doing his job, telling me I shouldn’t go outside without an escort, but the way I figure it, we all have to die of something. At my age, I’d like to have the choice and take my chances.
This path of life that I’ve been living has sure taken me on quite a ride. There have been many changes in this world since I was a youngster. Not so long ago my granddaughter, Beth, stopped by for a visit and we spent the day reminiscing and talking about just that. I shared many stories with her about all the changes that I have witnessed during my lifetime here in the East Parry Sound and Nipissing Districts. So much has transpired in the last one hundred years. We went from horses, to trains, to cars, to airplanes, and even space travel. The modern electronic gadgets are beyond me. I thought I had it made when I gave up the scrub board for a wringer washing machine. Kind of hard for an old gal like me to keep up! Everything in this world has gone automatic.
I have no real secrets to pass on to explain why I stand here today in fit mind and body at one-hundred and five. They used to say that a person lived three score and ten. That means seventy, all you youngsters. I’ve managed to hang around a lot longer than that. Why? Can’t tell you. I guess my life story isn’t finished yet. Hard to say what’s left for me? All I know for sure is that I’m grateful to still be here today.
When Beth was here she tried to convince me that having a birthday party was such a grand idea. She talked like I was some sort of a celebrity, having lived in three centuries and all. She wanted me to share my story. Beth felt it might shed a little light on a resident’s point of view. I wasn’t so sure on the matter. I was feeling a little sorry for myself. I hadn’t planned on having to end my time by living here. It’s not the way I had things figured out at all. I’ve done some thinking since then. I’ve always felt that every life experience is worth living. There is a reason behind it all. Even having to give up the comforts of my own home after I was one-hundred and three has had positive attributes. It’s not always easy, but you just have to keep an open mind to see it.
This place isn’t a bad place to end your days, if you can’t fend for yourself. I’ve gotten to meet some wonderful folks here. I’ve also seen life from a different angle. It’s a harsh reality to see so many folks suffering from the many ailments that old age doles out. Not all have been so blessed with good health as long as I have, and few are able to tell their story. I’ve always been able to enjoy the gift of gab. I’ve taken that for granted.
In closing, I’d just like to say thanks again to all those that worked so hard to put on this wonderful party, and say thank you to everyone who has come today to help me celebrate one-hundred and five years. I appreciate it more than words can say. I hope everyone enjoys themselves.”
As I return to my seat everyone claps and cheers. Mr. King steps back up to microphone and says, “Thank you, Anna. Well done. You are a remarkable lady. I hope you enjoy your special day. Happy Birthday.”
As I sit and chat with all my guests, I realize that I am really glad that Beth persisted on doing this party. I haven’t seen some of my family for a few years. Everyone is spread out all over this dang country. So nice to see all the little ones. They grow and change so very fast. Weddings and funerals, so it seems, are the only times we all show up. Such is the way of the world these days. Not like when I was a youngster. Families were close back then. We all depended on one another to get by. Times have changed. That’s one thing I know for sure.