With David's birthday coming up this month, he got his annual birthday card from my Great Aunt Gertrude. Well as it turns out, this month was Gertrude's 94th birthday! In the photo above - taken in February 2007 - she marvels at the fact that my PDA is taking a digital photo. She shook her head in amazement when I showed her the two photos I took. She won't understand when I tell her, "I blogged you."In recent years I've had two business trips to Florida; both time I've made a point of getting down to Sebring to visit. Her home is simple, and represents the life she's lived for decades. Gertrude is a character, my Grandmother Clark's youngest sister and final representative of that generation in our family. She has spent her life in the service of Christ, working among the migrant workers and farm camps of Florida since 1947. Prior to that she worked the cold mean streets of urban Ohio. She has had a long life, no thanks to doctors (she doesn't trust them), and has been wearing the same pair of dentures for 60+ years. Photos of her many adventures in Florida or on trips with her late friend Betty are always out for viewing anytime family visits.
I wanted to share a quote from her letter to David, something which seems to sum up Gertrude's outlook on life:
"Soon will be Thanksgiving. The pastor asked us to write down 5 things we are thankful for. I wrote 25 and could think of more. 1st one was Jesus Christ's salvation."I'm keeping this one. Happy Birthday Aunt Gertrude!
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