Aunt Lois is celebrating her 102nd birthday.  Yes, she was born in 1912.  I can not even imagine the changes she has seen in her lifetime. Consider Downton Abbey, – not the English class system that changed – but the innovations and history that has happened in the last 102 years, and you can somewhat understand what Aunt Lois has experienced.  (Downton Abbey’s first episode began with the sinking of the Titanic in 1912.)

Aunt Lois’ life did not begin in an easy way.  This is the story she told to the Stephenville Empire – Tribune.

“My father was a farmer and of course back then we had a wagon and a team. He was a singer and he loved to sing,” she said. “My mother – I don’t know how far away she was when this happened – she said she could hear him singing out in the field where he was working that day. I believe she said he was singing ‘In the Sweet Bye and Bye.’
“He had his team of horses down there pulling the wagon and they were going through a wooded area. The hired man was in the back of the wagon leading a horse. About then this dark cloud came up but Poppa wanted to get his oats in the ground before the shower came. There was lightning in the clouds and the hired man said to Poppa, ‘We’re liable to get killed.’
“And Poppa said to him ‘Well, I’m as ready to go now as I ever will be.’ Then the next streak of lightning hit and killed him and his team of horses and knocked the fellow in the back unconscious for awhile.
She continued, “One of the nephews came by and saw what had happened and came up to the house where Momma was and told her that Poppa had been killed. And she said, ‘I know it.’ Somehow she already knew.”
That left her mother with two-year old twins – a boy and girl – and Lois on the way.

Cousins and friends were on hand during the weekend to help her celebrate.  Her hearing and eyesight are fading, but Aunt Lois is still mentally alert.  She is so sharp – she can put all of us to shame.

We had a little Saturday celebration since some of us (That would be me.) could not be at the “official” party on Sunday.  I did not want to miss getting to wish Aunt Lois Happy Birthday.  Visiting with dear cousins is also a treat.

Her room was filled with family, and she said, “Everybody listen.  I want to say something.  Just like Christmas – when Jesus is The Reason for the Season, I know you all are here because of me.  When I am gone, I do not want you to stop getting together.  It is important for family to get together.”  (This is not exact, but….)  I know how much she enjoys hearing us visit with each other.  What an example and an inspiration Aunt Lois is to all of us.

Happy Birthday, Aunt Lois!

Blessings to you and yours,