Aug 5 2020

One-liner Wednesday: Born August 4th 1913

Yesterday, my darling Mom-in-law Kathleen celebrated her 107th birthday with her friends and the wonderful staff at the care home in England where she resides.

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Since she turned 105, she now qualifies for a congratulations card from Queen Elizabeth every year.

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As the care home is in strict lock down during this pandemic, no visitors are allowed, not even family. We did however call her on FaceTime and she chatted to her grandchildren and great grandchildren too. She had a wonderful tea party with a gorgeous birthday cake.

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The sides were decorated with sugar- icing broccoli and carrots because when she is asked “What is the secret of your longevity?” she now replies, “I eat broccoli and carrots every day with my dinner.”

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I can remember a few years ago that her answer used to be “Chocolate and red wine.”

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What an inspiration she is to us all. She is always happy and positive when we call and understands why she can’t have family visits. I think she really misses her Scrabble games with a couple of friends who used to come every Friday afternoon, but she keeps herself entertained with her favourite TV programmes and loves taking part in the chair aerobics that the staff organise for the residents.  I hope she continues in good health and that next year when this pesky Covid-19 is over, we’ll be able to visit her again.

To take part in Linda’s ‘One-liner Wednesday Challenge’, just click the link.

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106 comments on “One-liner Wednesday: Born August 4th 1913”

  1. Happy birthday to your dear sweet mother-in-law! She’s beautiful and elegant (as others have commented)! I can’t imagine being as graceful and endearing at that age, but she has inspired that as a new goal for me! Hahahaha
    Much love! Grand post. ❤️🦋🌀

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  2. WOWWWWWWWW!! She’s just so amazing!! Wish her a happy birthday for me and ask her when she switched from chocolate to veggies. I’m taking notes.

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  3. This post gave me goosebumps, Sylvia. Holy moly that is a really long time to live — 107 years!! I like that has an upbeat attitude, love the elegant party decorations and cake. Getting a card from QE2 is absolutely delightful. All this in the pandemic, too. Every photo is beautiful and sweet. Truly inspiring.

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    • Thanks so much, Jet. Yes, 107 years is a long time to be on this earth. I wonder how much longer she’ll live for. She often says to us, “I ask myself what am I still doing here, but there’s nothing I can do about it, so I’ll enjoy it.” 😅

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  4. Happy Birthday!
    (Amazing how many of her generation manage on their own for so long.)
    She looks beautiful. What stories she must have to tell. Hope someone is writing them down.
    Love her cake and that she credits carrots and broccoli

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  6. Happy Birthday to her! What an amazing story! She looks great for 107…better than some in their 70’s & 80’s. I pray for all of you to be together again! Love this! 🙂

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  13. What an inspiration she is! Doing chair aerobics and missing her Scrabble games! I love that she will get a card each year from the Queen. Very best wishes to this lovely lady. What a treat to have such positive and uplifting news.

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  15. Belated happy 107th to your mother-in-law. She looks amazing! I do eat carrots and broccoli, though not every day, so maybe I’m in with a chance of living that long. Now tomatoes, if they bestow longevity, I’ll be laughing all the way to my centenary and beyond.

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  16. Amazing. Happy Birthday to Kathleen!
    I am totally wowed! 🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂 x 5 + 2 = 107.
    (based on that there are 3 candles on the cake)

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  20. Happy Birthday to her. She is amazing and very special lady. Blessing and Happiness to her life. Thank you dear Sylvia, Love, nia

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  29. best wishes and happy birthday to your Mom-in-law, Sylvia. what a blessing to be up and about at her age. she looks fabulous! hopefully, she will be joined by family in person next year. 🙂 🙂

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  31. Whoa. I don’t know what impresses me more – the fact that your MIL is 107 or that the queen doesn’t send cards until birthday 105. England must have some great longevity in their people.

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  33. Oh how wonderful! She’s seen so much life and known so many people! What a sweetheart and so well loved and taken care of. An inspiration for sure!

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  35. Wow….I thought my mother-in-law was doing well at 94! What a lot of turbulent history she has lived through…. birthday greetings to her from Australia!

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    • Thanks so much, Gerrie. Yes you’re so right about all the stuff she’s lived through. She seemed take everything in her stride and I’ve never seen her ruffled except for the first time when my parents were invited for Sunday lunch and she served the roast chicken with the plastic bag containing the giblets still inside it. 🤣

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  38. Oh my goodness happiest of birthdays!!! Chocolate and red wine! If that’s the secret then I’m covered 😉 Carrots and broccoli… well, I’ll work on that. 🙂

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  44. I feel like I have just entered the grandest birthday celebration. Your mother-in-law is beautiful, gracious and elegant. I imagine her as a young woman ready to take on the rewards and challenges of life. She has seen many events and great change over her lifetime. Oh, the story she has lived. Thank you for sharing her with us, Sylvia.

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  47. When I saw your post on FB yesterday, I had hoped you would blog about the big day. Happy birthday! I loved reading this, Sylvia. I thought I remembered her answer of red wine and chocolate…LOL! She looks great! I love that she receives a card from Queen Elizabeth!

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