Age is a concept a lot of us take for granted. We spend a lot of our time fooling around and not taking advantage of everything life has to offer us. For my Great Aunt, however, the same can't be said. She's lived a long, fruitful life and today, her family, friends and I celebrated her 100th birthday and threw a large birthday party to celebrate everything that she's been through.
Her full name is Anna Freet and she was born on June 28th, in the year 1916. She was one of seven children, four boys and three girls in all. She grew up on a farm and as expected, she had to work for most of her youth to help ensure her family's financial stability. As the oldest child, she had a lot on her plate in terms of responsibility. Even though the family worked hard on the farm, they knew when to put down the tools and have fun, a point that she still emphasizes today. When she was old enough to have a job, she found a career for herself at a local clothing factory, where she worked until her retirement.
Through these years, she married, had two children, and settled down in her hometown. Now, she's outlived most of her siblings, her husband, but also one of her children. While these were rather sad experiences for her, she did not let these events derail her own joy and today, she still sits with a smile on her face and welcoming arms, ready to bring you in for a hug.
In her current age, it's difficult for her to hear of course, but this doesn't stop her from taking full of advantage of all the opportunities around her. She currently resides at a retirement home, but even that doesn't limit her activities. She has a full schedule, taking weekly drives through town on a bus courtesy of the home, doing physical therapy to make sure her body is in good condition, taking leisurely strolls around the building and completing 10,000 piece puzzles, which is a favorite past time of hers.
At the actual party, she was nothing but smiling and welcoming to everyone who walked in, even those she wasn't well acquainted with. She caught up with her brother and sister, as pictured above, and even sported her own special sash.
It was during the party that she began to inspire me. If she can do everything she does at her age, after everything she had been through, then I should be able to set a goal and accomplish it, regardless of the obstacles in my way. She gave me an optimism I didn't know I had and it was awesome to see her so happy and comfortable at her party. I wish her the best birthday and many more, deservingly so!
