I've been caring for a precious Christian woman for the past several years at an Independent Living facility. And she has become one of my dearest friends. Well…
Helen turns 100 years old on March 12th!
Helen turns 100 3 weeks after my Dad would have turned 100. And 5 weeks before Queen Elizabeth would have turned 100. Yes, 1926 was a very good year.
The address book Helen is holding in the photo was given to her when she was 18 years old in 1944! That book is 82 years old and still in great condition and filled with addresses!
She still lives alone, is doing quite well and so proud of her Danish heritage. Helen completed nurses training after HS graduation, through the Cadet Nurse Corp in Sioux Falls, SD.
Every week we have "church" in the apartment she has lived for the past 25 years. (after her husband passed) We sing hymns from a huge book of "101 Lutheran Hymns". And she knows every single word to every single hymn. Often times I will cry while singing my favorite hymns ~ recalling sweet memories while growing up attending a Lutheran church in Wisconsin.
I Need Thee Every Hour
Onward Christian Soldier
Beautiful Savior
Blessed Assurance
What A Friend We Have In Jesus
I also want you to know that Helen has been faithfully praying for me for all these years. She will often ask about Randy and prays for him too. She loves when I show her weekly photos of my granddaughter Hazel, because she had a sister named Hazel. Helen was the youngest of 9 kids growing up in South Dakota. Her brother recently passed at 106. I tease her that she's still a spring chicken at only 100 years old!
I recently took a fall while on a morning walk. For a split second I thought 'I need to call my Mom!' But she's been gone for 9 years. So I assessed my bruised bones, bandaged my wounds, and went to work. But when I limped through the front door, Helen could see I was a mess. She was so concerned and caring... like my Mom would have been. God was so good to give me Helen that day.
Today I will come bearing gifts ~ balloons, milk chocolate bars and Danish Aebleskivers (pancake balls)! Danish Kringles and Aebleskivers from Trader Joes are the best! And Helen's favorite's!
I am so blessed to have Helen in my life. Happy 100th Birthday!