This is Elsie standing with me. She is 104! Elsie is a pillar of my home church. She still attends church every week when she is able (which I understand is most of the time!).
This past weekend, I was able to attend my home church where I grew up. I came in late because I was at breakfast with my cousin. My wife and daughter were sitting next to a family friend. After I sat down, my wife leaned over and said, “Elsie is here,” signaling where she was seated right behind us. During the sharing of the peace, after I said my hellos and kissed my wife, I crawled across the pew on my knees to Elsie. With a huge smile on her face, she said, “Oh Phillip, so good to see you.” She has always known me as Phillip, which didn’t change to Phil until I was in the 5th grade (a story for another day).
A fellowship hour followed the church service, and that is when I was able to get a picture with Elsie. When I asked her to take a picture with me, I said, “Will you stand next to me for a picture?” She was sitting and asked, “Do you want me to stand up?” I said, “Oh no—sorry, you stay seated, I will sit next to you!” Yes, I forgot she was 104. She said, “No, I am going to stand up.” It took her a few tries over about 5 seconds, but she did it and walked away from the table for the picture. Then she told me her body was failing her. YEAH RIGHT, LADY! Are you kidding? LOL. I can only HOPE to make it to 104.
My bigger HOPE?
Elsie is one of the pillars of the church I grew up in, and I can only hope to continue to use her as an example to live like Him.
Have a great weekend, everyone!
Pingback: FUN FRIDAYS! – Stats – Give Your Story
Pingback: FUN FRIDAYS! – Stats – Give Your Story
Hi Phil,
Surprise my friend! I’m finally here. : ) This post was definitely serendipitous. A note fell out of my notebook. It was written by my husband Robert. It was dated 2/26/19 and read:
The first time I experienced the fact I was getting old was when we bought our “dream” home. It struck me that my time to live in this home was limited. I didn’t feel old at all. I just knew at 69+ that I was now officially old. I’ll turn 70 this year.
Even with Parkinson’s I’m able to play a decent brand of tennis. I can move well on my feet and have quick reaction time with my racquet. I do occasionally get light headed after going at it hard for a bit. A new medicine has helped. Boxing has helped some too.
That was pretty much the end of it. As you know, Robert died on January 30 of this year. He was 74. He stopped playing tennis in 2022 and his health dramatically went downhill after that.
I am 69 (Did I type that out loud?). The exact age of Robert when he wrote that note. Uh… can’t say that 69 is middle age! It’s WAY past that and that thought hit me this morning.
Now that most of the legal paperwork and transferring everything over to me is finally coming to an end, I’m faced with Robert’s absence truly becoming a reality as I remain in our “dream” home navigating life without him.
How many years do I have left? What will I do? How do I rebuild my life now without the love of my life?
You sent me the link to your website about a month ago and I hadn’t checked it out yet. Then I finally did and the post about Elsie living to 104 was the first post I saw. Definitely a God thing.
I’m not sure I want to live until 104! It depends on how strong I can remain. I’ve known other folks living to 100+ and it’s not too pretty.
But I had to write and tell you that your post gave me hope that I could have many good years left. It came right on time. God’s time. And God’s time is always perfect. Thank you.
Welcome to Give Your Story Jackie! Thanks for your support and thanks for the wonderful comment. I love you Jackie. If I were with you I would give you a big giant hug. You are the best. Thanks for being my friend.