Aunt Nell Turns 90

We traveled to Oklahoma at the end of October to help my Aunt Nell celebrate her 90th birthday.  She lives in an assisted living facility near her son's house.  She has lost much of her hearing and her sight is compromised but not her spirit.  She attends church every week and contributes much to her class.  She was a Sunday School teacher and school teacher in Georgia for decades.

Aunt Nell & I Ready to go Shopping

There were seven children in her family.  Now she is the last survivor.  My mother, Mary Arliva - called Rabbit, died at age 88 as did my Aunt Hazel.  I don't remember the ages of my Aunt Ruby Mitt and Aunt Virginia when they died.  My Uncle W.C. had left the family long before I was born and Uncle Dub lived nearby.

Aunt Nell Smiling Before Leaving Her Apartment

Aunt Nell's apartment is small but efficient.  She has room for two beds and has a little kitchen.  Her son, Paul, has asked her not to cook on the range but to use the microwave instead for all her meals.  There should only be a small amount of time that she cooks because the dining room is just a few steps from her apartment door.  Meals are provided, so only snacks would require any heat.

Walter & Aunt Nell Relax in Her Apartment

Walter and I surprised her with our visit.  We didn't want her to fuss or worry about our trip.  Paul arranged for us to have a visitor's apartment within the complex.  That made it very convenient and also made it financially easier too.  Although we used his car while we were there, we could have walked to her place from ours.

Sharing Birthday Cake

We went to Cracker Barrel for supper, then returned to the facility for dessert. We had a birthday cake for her in the dining room. 

Mary Anne Cuts the Cake

Paul and wife Mary Anne and son Paul contribute to the fun. 

I wish we could see one another more often.  The distance makes it challenging to plan.
Aunt Nell makes friends easily and is very resilient so I am assured that she is being well cared for.

God is good!