Thursday, July 22, 2010

One Hundred and Counting

This morning I took my mom to visit her Uncle Louie in a nearby nursing home. Uncle Louie celebrated his 100th birthday last October. He is the only remaining uncle of either of my parents. (My father's 96 year old Aunt Margaret died last December.)

Uncle Louie did most of the talking during our visit and we did a lot of listening. He told us of a recent gathering of centenarians, there were three men and thirty women in the group, and he was asked for an interview by a local newswoman. She asked him his formula for living so long. He answered that he didn't have any formula. The Lord had just blessed him with long life. She asked what the highlight of his life was. He answered that it was the day he gave his life to Christ and the Lord began a transformation in him. She asked many questions and portions of the interview were later broadcast on TV.

Uncle Louie was distressed to learn that the interview had been edited and the answers to his questions rearranged. The newscaster asked what the highlight of his life was and, rather than Uncle Louie telling of his conversion, he told of getting his driver's license at the age of 17 and keeping it for the next 72 years. I guess the media is not looking to promote religion in any way, shape, or form...

I have heard the story of Uncle Louie's salvation many times. He was dating Aunt Francie and asked her to marry him. She told him she could not marry him because he was not a Christian, and then she went home, threw herself on her bed, and cried. She really did love him. I believe this happened a few times and one day when Aunt France said, "No, Louis, you are not a Christian," he told her that he had given his heart and life to Christ. Of course, she thought he was lying at first, but then she saw his life begin to change. She noticed that he stopped smoking cigarettes. When she asked him about it, he said, "Remember when I gave my heart to Christ? Well, he just took that all away."

Aunt France and Uncle Louie were married for over sixty years. Her pictures sits on the bookcase in his room and he still misses her. I heard him say so.

11 comments:

  1. It's too bad that the media hides the true story sometimes.

    I'm glad you took Gramma to go see him. He must've enjoyed their visit.

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  2. A life well lived. Such a legacy.

    That is very sad about the interview and how they still manage to say what they want to say.

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  3. How disappointing that they changed the interview responses to suit what they wanted it to.
    I'm so glad you got to take Mom for the visit. I wasn't even aware that he had moved, but I'm glad he's there.
    I like how you got yourself in the picture too! :)

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  4. Eyes filled with tears this morning as I read this wonderful post of your Uncle's faith and life.

    Those media people...they will never change...how sad.

    Martha...I would love to watercolor the blueberries in your header, but can't copy it. Would it be too much trouble to email me the picture. I love the rich colors, and pastel colors in the same picture.

    Have a great day...

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  5. That is really bad that the best part of his life was edited out, just like it was nothing. I got goosebumps from this post, Martha. He gave up his cigarettes and he gave his life to God. His secret formula really made me smile, too....

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  6. That is a shame what the media did! I'm glad you could state the truth here at least.
    I wish I could have come along. Next time you do something like this, let me know. I'd like to be a part of something.

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  7. Oh...and I'm glad you got to do this. She didn't mention it when I saw her later.

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  8. I kind of just decided to do it Thursday morning.

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  9. OH! This post made me cry. Such a sweet love story. That is such a travesty that the media changed the answer to the question!

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