Yesterday my mother attained a milestone. She became the first person we know of anywhere in her family to reach her 98th birthday.
Sharon took a picture of me leaning over to give Mother a hug:
Then I got one of her and Mother:
A few minutes later my nephew and his family arrived to join the festivities. Here are Makenzie, Cameron, and Brennen with her:
Mother, an inveterate sweets lover (that’s why she loves me so much) was drooling over the prospect of digging into the cake. Too bad the lighting didn’t show the family in the background, but Mother thought the cake was the most important thing anyhow.
Even though she can’t remember much, can hardly see (macular degeneration), and hasn’t walked in over three years, we feel blessed to have Mother still with us after 98 years. Amazingly, the only prescription she takes regularly is for a lifelong thyroid condition. I feel like I’m in pretty good health for my age, but I take around 20 pills a day to maintain it. My sister and I have started hoping at least one of us outlives her so we can continue to see to her care.
Mother raised four of us and has had to deal with the loss of my younger sister and brother, as well as one of her grandchildren. After she and my father divorced, she went back to school at age 48 to get a masters degree and embark on a career as a social worker. She retired from that to move to West Texas and help care for her brother, who was slowly dying of emphysema. Then she took over raising her youngest grandson, keeping him with her until she was 80 years old.
Mother lived independently until she was 93 and had to move into assisted living. She’s always been truly a remarkable person.
Who in your family has lived into his or her nineties or beyond?
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WANA: We may not have it all together, but together we have it all.
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For more information about David N. Walker, click the “About” tab above.
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David N Walker 
David – Your mother is a remarkable woman. Think of the odds that were against her when she decided to go back to school to earn her master’s degree. Even I fought the stigma within my extended family of ‘why do you need more than a college education.’ And your mother was a generation ahead of me. Obviously your mother wanted a better life for you and your siblings and to provide that, she needed that extra degree.
Although I paid for my education, I always loved it when Dad stuck up for me when the rest of the family would give me a hard time. Dad always said, “I educated my boys and I’ll educate my daughter. She’s not going to come home and sit on the porch.”
There’s no doubt in my mind that your mother lived her life walking in step with the Lord. From what you wrote, these extra years of peace of mind are an extra reward for a life well lived. Bless you for this tribute to your mother.
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Thanks, Sheri. You’ve captured the essence of my mother.
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David, your mother’s story gives me hope and strength. It’s hard to imagine a woman living through so much loss and heartache. Perhaps the fact that she has give so much to others has preserved her life. She’s not had time to eat the bread of idleness. She must be an amazing follower of Jesus! Happy Birthday to a sweet woman!
My great grandmother on my father’s side lives into her 90’s. I cannot remember how far into her 90’s she lived, though.
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Thank you, Shannon. Mother always had to be doing something for someone else, right up until her eyesight and knees prevented her from continuing.
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Dear David, Thanks for sharing your thoughts about your dear mother. A twinge of sorrow came over me this Mother’s day as I realized I no longer had my mother with me to share Mother’s Day. What a remarkable person your mother is! As I think back over the years we had together,my heart says “Thank you mother for loving me unconditionally, all those years, despite all my faults” Now abideth these three..faith,hope,love but the greatest of these is love. Blessings, D.S.
Sent from my iPad
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Thanks, Don. She’s got seven years to go to catch up with your mother, but I feel exactly as you do about her.
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Touching tribute to Mom, David. I am sharing it. Thanks a lot!
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Glad you liked it, Sis.
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Happy belated birthday to your mom. Hope she reaches 100 and more.
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Thanks, Carole.
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Happy Birthday to your mother! A beautiful woman with much love. And… see if you can get off your pills and find a natural way to your health and you will be there for her for a very long, long time! Many blessings to all!
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Actually, Karlene, I had my annual physical yesterday and my blood pressure was so low the doctor cut my dosage in half. I’d love to get more of them reduced or eliminated, but with my health conditions I have to be very careful.
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Most of my family went to the Great Beyond before hitting 90. I can only think of one who survived to 90, and that was my dear Aunt Daisy. Your mom inherited some fantastic genes!
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That she did, Sharon.
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Very sentimental and touching!! Our parents are valuable as long as they are there, regardless of age. I wish she’s all well for many years to come. The same for all of you!! I think all parents wish they left before their children. But this decision is not in our hands!! All pain in the world is just another lesson to be learned (most probably). Take care!!
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Thank you, Christina
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