100 Years Of Wisdom | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

100 Years Of Wisdom

11 Life Lessons from a 100 year young woman

116
100 Years Of Wisdom
Bing

I am 19 years old and this is the summer of 2016, the summer between my freshman and sophomore years of college. I have moved to Crossville, Tennessee for the summer to live with my uncle and to work in the Recreational Department at a private lake, Lake Tansi. My great grandmother lives on the lake, just two coves over from the beach where I work. Her name is Lillian Brooker; she is my mother’s grandmother. She is, as of July 18, 100 years young. She still lives at home, bur requires a rotation of nurses 24/7; for the two months that I am in town I become a part of the rotation.

1. Staying in bed all day is a sin.

This is what she says to me as I help her out of bed one morning. We then go through the morning routine and make our way to the kitchen for breakfast.

2. But if it is the only sin we commit today, I think He will forgive us.

This is what she says to me as we bypass her chair in the living room and head straight back to bed, after breakfast.

3. If you ever have to send something in an envelope, do not lick the glue.

This tip was given after opening more than 100 birthday cards in one night. She struggled with one envelope in particular and ended up ripping the whole thing apart. During that struggle, she said, “Never in my life!” I don’t know about you, but when a 100 year old says, "Never in my life," it’s a pretty serious manner.

4. That being said, when you go on an afternoon wheel chair walk and she stops you to look at the “most beautiful butterfly she has ever seen,” you stop!

When the wings were shut, it was an ordinary brown butterfly, but when the wings were open… the most beautiful blue. I stood there on a hill, holding the wheelchair until the butterfly flew away.

5. When she gets a new wheelchair and you get a new car all in the same weekend, the highlight of everyone’s day is taking trips down the driveway.

And, of course, she finds literally the only scratch on the car and points it out.

6. Always do it yourself because you can never fully trust anyone.

This deep piece of advice was given after she didn’t believe me when I told her I set her heating pad on the lowest setting.

7. If you don’t know, just ask.

She never really put this into words, but I picked up on it after playing 20 questions as to why the Wi-Fi password had to be next to the Wi-Fi box, as well as being interrogated on why I felt it was necessary to color my hair.

8. When you say you’re going to do something, you do it.

I’m not going to tell on myself or anybody else by elaborating on this, but… make like Nike and Just Do It.

9. If you ever feel left out or forgotten, find a Methodist church and sign up for their mailing list.

I figured this one out after going through stacks on stacks of old Christmas and birthday cards, looking for one address. We never really found the address, but we did find enough cards from the Methodist Church Group to last until her 200th birthday.

10. On your 100th birthday, you have the God-given right to be as sassy as you want.

I had the privilege of getting to spend the last night as a 99 year old and the first morning as a 100 year old with Ms. Lillian. The first act of sassiness was when she rang her bells at 11:55 p.m. and demanded that I sit with her until midnight when she was officially 100. Act two was when we officially got up for the day; she demanded coffee and a hairbrush. After I got the hairbrush, my grandmother, her daughter, came in and we all got to talking. After about five minutes, the main act of sassiness occurred. She spoke up from her wheelchair and said, “I want some coffee and it’s my birthday, so I am demanding attention!”

11. I am the favorite.

This might sound conceited but I have strong evidence: I’m the first one that earned her the title "great" grandmother and my pictures are the only ones on her refrigerator. But I say this mostly because she has this smile that I see on only two occasions: one, when she sees me and two, when I tell her I’ll be back tomorrow.

This summer has been full of adventures and memories that I will forever hold in my heart. There are many people who never have the opportunity to meet their grandparents, let alone their great grandparents. I consider myself extremely lucky and will never forget the lessons learned and the love felt.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

2678
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

449202
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

21526
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Moana's Top 10 Life Tips

"Moana" is filled with life lessons that involve far more than finding true love as many other Disney movies do.

44546
Animated image of a woman with long dark hair and tattoos
StableDiffusion

1. It's easy to be fooled by shiny things.

Digital image of shiny gemstones in cased in gold. shiny things StableDiffusion

Tamatoa created a liar filled with shiny things simply for the purpose of tricking fish to enter and become his food. He too experiences a lesson in how easy it is to be tricked by shiny things when Moana distracts him by covering herself in glowing algae so Maui can grab his hook.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments