109! What a great way to celebrate New Year’s Eve!

It’s a VERY happy New Year’s Eve at Marsh’s Edge retirement community today. In addition to the normal year end festivities, there was a milestone birthday being celebrated. Mrs. Cecil Woods, who is one of our hospice patients,  just turned 109! She’s been living there for three years. Up until then, she was living independently. Yes….on her own! When asked what she’s enjoyed the most about living past 100, she said the people. She loves everyone, especially the staff at Marsh’s Edge. “Nice people, I love them. And, I think they love me” said Mrs. Woods. To which the staff eagerly replied in unison, “Yes, we do!”  They prepared her favorite dessert for her birthday, a Pea-Picken cake which I’m told is a southern delicacy with pineapple and mandarin oranges. When I asked  if I could try a piece, Mrs. Woods said “Of course, sugar…I’d love for you to have some of my cake.” Have to say, it was very good. I really enjoyed getting to know Mrs. Woods on her special day. I learned that she was born in Eatonton, GA and moved to Huntsville, Alabama when she was three. She became a seamstress and fashion designer in Miami while dabbling in real estate, buying and selling homes there.  Before I left, Mrs. Woods said she had a good birthday and was ready for 2019! We should all have that passion for people, and zest for life. Happy New Year everyone! To make this an even sweeter birthday for Mrs. Woods, Lewis Turner from First Coast News gave her a special greeting on New Year’s Day.  Click Below to see the video.