Reporter Lizzie Bell writes about her great grandma Elizabeth Terry turning 102 on March 31.
102 years
April 13, 2016
The tall red chair that overlooked the kitchen and everyone in it will forever be yours. You sit there happy and content, a blanket pulled all the way up to your chest and a glass of water, or coffee next to you at all times. You fall asleep occasionally throughout the day and catch yourself snoring every once in awhile. Your hand taps on your knee to the music that plays from the record player you keep in your room. Music was something you have always enjoyed.
I still find myself wondering how someone can do the things you did for so long. You were stubborn enough to live by yourself until you were 100, drive around by yourself until you were in your 90’s, and continue to do the dishes after meals. You didn’t want people to think you couldn’t do things by yourself and you still feel that way. You have lived for 102 years and yet you still long for more. The things we learn in school were apart of our everyday life. The dust bowl, World war 1 and 2 and the great depression. You were in a car accident at age 101 and broke your neck and continued to keep going. I can honestly say that you are the strongest woman I will ever know.
Even after all these years your heart is just as big. You are sure to give each grandchild a card on Christmas and put everyone else before yourself. You went to my choir show on Sunday and enjoyed every moment of it. You sat in your wheelchair the jacket keeping you warm. Your tired eyes close and even when grandma and grandpa thought you were asleep your hand would still tap along to the beat of the music.
I can’t imagine a day when my eyes won’t land on you in the crowd anymore, holding your warm hand as we listen in on the family talks at thanksgiving, hearing you laugh at a memory or something that was said, or the way you have to know what is happening around you at all times. You aged gracefully and are still full of life. Not many people can say they lived 102 years and experienced the things you did. You have lived 102 years and for the rest of mine I will be proud to call you my great grandmother.