Woman has first birthday bash at 100
Most of us would consider ourselves blessed with a long life if we reach eighty or ninety. But as this next story shows, there are those among us who reach one hundred and arrive at this amazing milestone full of energy, vigour and good humour. News Five was invited to a very special celebration at Helpage this afternoon.
Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
These days it?s truly a blessing to live for one hundred years…just ask Isabel Garbutt, affectionately called Ms. Bell.
Isabel Garbutt, Centenarian
?And when I was a child I said, that dah stupidness man, nobody can live fi see one hundred years, and the thing ketch me. My father was ninety-nine when he died, and I am the only one in the family, both father and mother, nobody ever live that age. And I noh feel so much about it you know. I noh feel like I get to that age.?
Indeed it is a time to celebrate. The birthday party hosted by Helpage Belize was well attended by family and friends.
Maria Elena Sylvestre, Chairperson, Helpage Belize
?Well it just means that Helpage is achieving its goals of having older persons live long, healthy, vigorous lives, like Ms. Bell, who when you look at her you say, I can?t believe she?s a hundred. That?s what Helpage is all about: aging with dignity and aging with joy.?
Only one other invited guest knows exactly what it?s like to live a whole century. Viola Myles, who is one hundred and two years old, gave a wonderful tribute to her friend and encouraged them both to keep on attending meetings.
Sharon Pollack, Ex-Director, Helpage Belize
?Today when she came she was so happy and she said, I don?t feel like a hundred, I feel like I?m sixteen. So I?ve been calling her Sweet Sixteen all day. She really, really is a wonderful, wonderful member of Helpage and she encourages all the others, it makes them realise that they can get there too.?
Isabel Garbutt, Centenarian
You know, from when I was a child I never had a birthday party, never. So this is it now, this is the day God has made.?
Garbutt says no one should fear getting old.
Isabel Garbutt
?No, I do everything you know. I wash, I cook, I go to church. This morning I was in church. I get around; it?s nice to get around. When I don?t have anything to do I feel easy, I want to get around to do something, that?s how it is with me.? (Laughs)
Just as Garbutt has been blessed with longevity she hopes all young persons will get to share the same experience and do what is right to achieve it.
Isabel Garbutt
?They will take notice and try to live up to it, don?t stray the other way. Many of them stray from good training, and so I only hope that this will change many of them.?
