Almost 100 and going strong

Long-time viewers of Belizean society may notice two seemingly irreconcilable demographic trends occurring simultaneously. On one hand more Belizeans than ever appear to be dying young–from natural causes as well as multiple gunshot wounds. But at the same time the number of Belizeans living over a century seems to be much greater than in the past. Fortunately, our next story is one that celebrates the extension of life and not its sudden end.

Marion Ali, Reporting

Remember Viola Myles–the feisty lady who captured Miss Y in 1998? Although it’s a few weeks short of February twenty-fifth, her relatives and close friends gathered today to celebrate all one hundred years of her life. A devout believer in God, Myles says she has no secrets to longevity, but keeps fit around the house.

Viola Myles, Centenarian

“I’m not too bad. My health is not too bad, but since you’re old you can’t always expect to be always on the go. I can’t be always…I do get a little stick of pain now and again and that’s how it works.”

Marion Ali

“But you keep pretty active though?”

Viola Myles

“Uhuh. I can’t sit quiet. The only time I sit quiet is when I’m reading.”

Marion Ali

“You read a lot?”

Viola Myles

“Uhuh…I sew, I’m a seamstress. I sew my dress myself. I sew this one when I was in Miss Y and I have one now sewing.”

While she has no children of her own, she is mother to six of her husband’s, and grandmother to many more. She is thought of in her West Street neighbourhood as a humble, caring person. One of her well-wishers at today’s luncheon celebration was Dame Minita Gordon, whose mother accompanied Ms. Myles from Jamaica to Belize in the early 1920s.

Dame Minita Gordon

“Some of us will never live to get there. I wish you strength, health, God’s blessings for the rest of your life Mrs. Myles, and if it is God’s will, you will see another hundred years.”

But the celebration of Mrs. Myles’ one hundredth would not have been possible were it not for businessman, Vinod Bhojwani, who said he got to know her several years ago.

Vinod Bhojwani, Merchant

“She used to come to my store and still she comes twice, three times a week. And so about twelve years ago I ask her, how old you are? She say, eighty-eight. I said when you will be hundred I will celebrate your birthday.”

“Monday night I told my son, Wednesday I want to have this thing. I said just print out the invitations and she has given the list. Yesterday my son took her to all the places of whomever she wanted to invite. And I said okay no problem. This morning I cooked everything and I made everything, because anytime I invite somebody for something like this, I love to do that.”

And for a lady who has led a full life, there’s only one thing she is looking forward to.

Viola Myles

“All my plans is to go dah heaven now, go and meet mi saviour…I’m old enough.” (Chuckles)

Marion Ali for News 5.