Yesterday I attended a birthday at church of our oldest member. Vernon was 100. I have never been to a 100th party before. His whole family was there but his wife. She has passed a few years ago and it was just him and his cat. Half our church was there as well. The night before one of the news channels did a little item about him and when I was talking to him a reporter was taking notes, she had pages.
Vernon has had an amazing life so far. He was part of the team that drew the map for the state of Alaska from an airplane when it became a state. He retired from the military and went on to teach school and be a scout leader. His kids are all military as well as some grandkids.
I would often sit him at Fellowship after church, it was as if my dad was still alive. He has not been doing well lately and has not been to church for a while but yesterday he was as sharp as ever and having the time of his life.
People like him need to be celebrated before they are all gone. I asked him if he thought he would ever live this long and he said his first goal was 75, then to see the turn of the century and next year he was going to start all over again and turn 1.
Happy Birthday Vernon, you definitely need to be celebrated. Thanks for sharing your life with our little church, we are blessed to have you as a member.
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