This past weekend, my husband and I, along with our oldest 1-of-3, traveled to WV for a very important birthday party. A type of birthday party that many probably can't say they have attended, let alone had for themselves - a 100th Birthday party!
My great Aunt Lillian turned 100 on June 19. She was born in 1917. Y'all, just stop and think about that for a few minutes....1917!! Can you even begin to fathom what this sweet lady has seen in her lifetime? And boy does she remember sooooo much of it!
 |
| Left - Aunt Mabel, Lillian's oldest sister Right- Uncle Clarence, Lillian's only brother |
 |
| Lillian and her Grandfather Collier He fought in the Civil War and lived with them after he got older. |
 |
| Lillian's four sisters L to R - Lucille, Mabel, Byrd and Peggy (my grandmother) |
 |
| Lillian in the 1930s |
Her spunk and smiles and waves and conversation and energy amazed me! I went expecting a much less lively Aunt Lillian but I was oh so pleasantly surprised. About 50 family members traveled to be with Aunt Lillian on her special day - from California, Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina. I think all genuinely enjoyed celebrating her.
 |
| Aunt Lillian with the cousins - her four children and Buzzy and my dad |
 |
| My Doodlebug and her Great Great Aunt Lillian |
Aunt Lillian is my paternal grandmother's baby sister. I only remember two of my grandmother's sisters even though there were five girls and one boy. They grew up in tiny Pennington Gap, VA. Aunt Lillian was even Miss Pennington Gap of 1934! She has a splendid parade wave and smile and if she hasn't ever been in a parade, she should be! I mean every 100 year old needs a parade, right?
 |
| Aunt Lillian and my dad |
I had a few moments with Aunt Lillian to myself, so I asked her what advice she would give to young people today. Her response (paraphrased), Well, young people today want to grow up too quickly. I would tell them them to slow down and not grow up too fast - enjoy being young. Responsibilities, even good ones, come very quickly and then that's your life. Those responsibilities are good, but you have obligations. So, be young while you can.
I also asked her why she had so many scarves tied to her walker and she said, "Oh! That's my hobby. A long time ago, people used to wear beautiful scarves and I just loved them. People don't wear them anymore. I had some in my drawer and thought 'Those are just too pretty to sit in a drawer' so I tied them to my walker. And then people would ask me about them and I would tell them why I had them tied there and they just started bringing me ones that they had in their drawers. I think they are pretty!"
 |
| My grandmother and Aunt Lillian |
All Aunt Lillian asked for - for her birthday was that everyone at the party receive an ice cream cone. I don't know about you, but if that's my only desire after living an incredibly long life - I'm good!
So, lessons I learned from Aunt Lillian on her 100th birthday?
- Take pleasure in the simple things.
- Remember your roots.
- Be kind, gracious and generous and think of others.
- Stay active.
- Have a hobby.
- Enjoy time with your family.
- Smile.
 |
| A very young Lillian Howard |
 |
| Lillian Howard Simpson - 100 years old |
