A celebration for a centurion

Yesterday I was honoured to celebrate in the country the 100th birthday of the matriarch of a family I know well. Her grandson had prepared a photographic celebration of her life as well as a time line of world events from 1917 which took place in her lifetime. It was the first time I have attended a centenary celebration like this and enjoyed myself immensely. It was an occasion for reminiscing and nostalgia as I have known her two sons for some 40 years: stories were told, slightly embellished over the years and characters that crossed our lives fondly recalled.

I once asked my father what were the two most important inventions of his life: he replied the television and the motor car. If I was asked the same question I would say the Internet and the pill that gave woman the right to determine their pregnancy and consequently enhanced their rights. I do recall much negative apocalyptic prophesy about the effects of AIDS and various computer viruses but no one actually predicting the World Wide Web nor the collapse of the Soviet bloc.

Elderly people are expected to be right on PC, remember how the the Chairman of Wigan kept on putting his foot in it big time but I believe he did not intend to offend.

Still to reach 100 is really something, and to be present at the celebration, the lady was also there for dinner till 10.00 pm and told her carer that it was impolite of her to leave the table before her guests. She enjoys watching cricket and I asked what form of the game she prefers. She replied she enjoys a test match but will watch whatever they choose to show her, in this case a t20 game.

As a society we might emulate the Japanese and have a deeper respect for the aged for their wisdom and life experience. One final point: the family have always enjoyed fine wine and most of the photos of the venerable lady had some alcohol in them. I doubt even now if she sticks to 5 units per day and it seems to have done her no harm. When I first visited the home there was lady who was once her children’s nanny. There was a regular supplication: ” Have another gin, Mrs M” which was never refused as they filled a huge tumbler full of gin.

Mre M would take her gin bottle with her water in a wicker basket to bed. She lived to a ripe old age and her daughter and granddaughter were present at the party. The the anti drink campaigners might take note.