Welcome to JOYFUL REFLECTIONS. Also welcome to MARCH!!!! My header picture this month is a photo I took of the pretty Crocus blooms in our yard... The Crocuses and Daffodils are the first signs of spring here in Tennessee. I am definitely ready for SPRING...

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

A 100th Birthday Celebration

My wonderful father-in-law,  John Emery Adams,  turns 100 years YOUNG today!!!!   As you read this,  we are with him still celebrating... 

This past Saturday,  in the Fellowship Hall of his church,  First United Methodist Church in Hendersonville, Tennessee,   many, many friends and family members gathered to help Dad celebrate his birthday... Today I will share some pictures from that party.

Family members came from all over the country to celebrate,   and many friends stopped by to see Dad and congratulate him.  For me personally,  I enjoyed seeing many old friends from Hendersonville ---since I worked in that church for 3 years before retiring.  That made this party even more special for me.

For those who don't know about my inlaws,   let me tell you that when I met and married George,  I fell totally in love, not only with him,  but with his wonderful parents... Mom Adams used to make me a Peanut Butter Pie (my fav) for my birthday every year!!!!  Mom died in June of 2011.  Since Mom and Dad were so very very close (had been married for 72 yrs),  we didn't expect Dad (who was the older one) to live much longer after Mom died.  However,  he has perked up and has made it to age 100.... What an awesome man--- and an inspiration to all who know him.

Hope you enjoy some of the pictures from the party.... Above is Dad Adams and his three children:  Ken (68)--who lives in Indiana;  Janet (60) -- who lives in Tullahoma, TN;  George (70)--who lives in Crossville, TN.  Janet is the one who deserves the kudos --since she is Dad's caregiver.




Many many Family members and friends came by to talk to Dad ---and Dad LOVED it!!!



Dr. Ben and Betty Alexander talk to Dad..  Brother Ben is one of the ministers at the church, and Dad and Mom attended his Bible Studies for years.



This is Janet's two sons and their children. 



This group includes some of Mom Adams side of the family, the Cassidays. 



First Row:  Bonnie (Ken's wife);  Dad;  me;   Second Row:  Ken;  one of Ken's sons (David) and his wife;  George




This family group is the Woodke family,  relatives on Dad's side.



Row 1:  Ken, Dad, Bonnie;   Row 2:  George and me



This was one of the most moving times of the party.  The great grandchildren sang  "Happy Birthday" and "Jesus Loves Me" to their PawPaw.



Finally,  here's one more photo of Dad and us.  Front row:  Me, Dad, Bonnie;  Second row:  George, Janet and Ken


I don't know the number of people who attended that two-hour party---but between family and friends (who came and went all afternoon),  I think there must have been at least 75 people total... Dad handled the day very well---and even ate a good dinner that night when all of the family went to dinner together at the Chop House.

What a remarkable day ---and what a remarkable man.... God Bless You, Dad Adams,  as you enter into year 101 of your life.

Please say a little prayer for Dad today --as we celebrate his 100th birthday together as a family.  If you want to see more pictures of Dad  (pictures of him through the years),  click HERE to see George's blog post today.

Have a great day...

Hugs,
Betsy

56 comments:

Elettra said...

best wishes and much happiness!

eileeninmd said...

Happy 100th birthday to Dad Adams. Looks like a great family get together, Betsy!

Ms. A said...

I've seen George's photos and both your posts are great.

Once again, Happy 100th Birthday Dad Adams!

Rose ~ from Oz said...

Can feel the LOVE in this beautiful family! What an incredibly special day. Happy 100th Dad Adams! Beautiful photos for all the family to treasure.
What a wonderful tribute you and George have put together for this special man.
Hugs Betsy.

Jeevan said...

It sounds like a memorable moment for every one of you attended his 100th Birthday party. It not so ease that everyone lives up to his age, and it’s a historical moment to cherish... what one can expect at this moment than their dear ones showing special concern around! I’m sure he’s glad having u all around. Thanks for sharing the photos and let knowing other in your family.

Best wishes to him and all!

Linda P said...

Lovely family photos of a special occasion. Thank you for sharing. God bless you all.

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday to Dad A and God bless.

diane b said...

What an amazing man. You are so lucky to have him in your family. He is so alert especially when interacting with the children. The shot of the ggrandchildren singing to him is so joyous and emotional. My mum would be one hundred in November if she had lived beyond her 87 years.You can see the resemblance in all three men.

Snap said...

How wonderful! Definitely a time to celebrate a life well lived.

Dorothy said...

What a wonderful celebration!!! I'm glad you got to visit with some of your friends from Hendersonville!! Very nice pictures!

Buttercup said...

Betsy, what a wonderful celebration. Prayers for your father-in-law and wishes for good health and happiness!

FlowerLady Lorraine said...

What a loving celebration of life. I visited George's blog too and your father-in-law is inspiring, teaching himself how to use a computer at age 90 and buying a riding lawn mower at 94 so that he could keep mowing. A long marriage, a long life, and lots of family and friends celebrating. Bless his heart!

Love and hugs ~ FlowerLady

Linda G. said...

I saw George's post before coming here. Great pictures of a wonderful day!

Donna said...

Special happy birthday wishes to this wonderful man! God bless him!

MadSnapper said...

100 is certainly a true cause for celebration and it looks like he had a wonderful one. everyone looks so happy in the pics. God bless the caregiver.

Ruth Hiebert said...

I am moved to tears as I read this post. It is such an incredible blessing to be ably to celebrate this milestone. Happy Birthday Mr. Adams.You deserve nothing but the very best.

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

How exciting - happy 100 to him!

Betsy, I'm with you - peanut butter pie is The Best!

Small Kucing said...

what a wonderful family you have there :)

wow...100 year young. Not easy to achieve these days . May he have many more wonderful years .

Hey, meeting Reanaclaire yet? Heard she is hopping over to your side of the world .

I Am Woody said...

You aren't going to believe this but I know a couple of your family members. Like know them really, really well! One of Janet's daughters-in-law is one of Prima Ballerina's best friends:)

Janice K said...

How wonderful that so many family and friends were able to celebrate his special day with him. That is so precious!

MTWaggin said...

How can that smile (in the second photo) not make your heart sing. Looks like he had a wonderful time and I bet he was worn out when it was all over. Enjoy your visit.

Dr. Kathy McCoy said...

What a beautiful celebration not only of a very special man, but also of a loving family! It's so wonderful to see someone reach a truly landmark birthday surrounded by so much love. It is testimony to a life well lived. Blessings to you all!

Rose said...

Oh, how wonderful for him to get to see so many of his family...I hope today is just as wonderful.

TexWisGirl said...

that's wonderful, betsy. congratulations to him!

Busy Bee Suz said...

I am so happy that he was treated to a day of celebration! He deserves it so much.
I love that Janet it taking good care of him; what a blessing.
I realized too, that he was 40 when Janet was born!
XOXOXO

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

Such a special day will live on in the memories of all who attended, and the photos will be treasured in the years to come. Those sweet great-grandchildren...I can see why it brought tears to your eyes when they sang to Dad Adams.

Sylvia K said...

What a great celebration for an wonderful man, father, grandfather and great grandfather!! Amazing! I love the old photos that George shared and I love yours! What a fun day for all of you! And thanks for sharing the fun with us!!

Sharon said...

What sweet precious memories to treasure...something about George's dad reminds me of my late FIL who died two years ago this month. Thankfully, we have tons of sweet memories just like this, he knew he was loved and everything had been said that needed to be said!! How we treasure that now. Can't wait to hear about your trip to Cades Cove.

Miss Debbie said...

What a blessing to have him here with you for so long! So glad the party was well attended and that the honoree enjoyed it so much!

A Brit in Tennessee said...

Happy happy birthday dad Adams, I hope you celebrated your 100th in style !
Betsy and George, you are indeed blessed to have this wonderful gentleman in your lives, he looks like he's enjoyed a full one !!
Congratulations.
~Jo

Nellie said...

Betsy, it is a distinct honor for me to wish Dad Adams a joyous happy birthday today!

xo Nellie

imac said...

I bet the birthday boy slept well that night.

Small City Scenes said...

A wonderful tribute to Dad Adams. A lovely family on all sides. The picture of the children and Paw Paw is excellent. MB

Unknown said...

AWESOME defined!!

LV said...

Sometimes memories are all we have. You are storing up some of the best. I am sure he was pleased to get the attention and love. So many seniors do not. Great family pictures.

Ann said...

What a fabulous milestone and and wonderful celebration he had. I had to scroll back up and look when I read that George's sister is 60. Holy smokes I never would have guessed. She looks so young.

Susie Swanson said...

This is so touching..Like I said on FB, to think what he has lived through and seen so much, it brings tears to my eyes.. I wish him a Happy Birthday and may God Bless..

Chatty Crone said...

Happy 100th birthday to him! And you know he has a lot of friends and family there - that is a sign of a great life. sandie

carolina nana said...

Happy 100th birthday to your father-in-law he looks like a sweet man who is loved by his family and friends.
What a wonderful celebration
Blessings
Marilyn

Carletta said...

Awesome post Betsy!
May his 101 year be blessed and filled with love.

Cicero Sings said...

A big mile stone and a great celebration to top it off.

Fun to see all of the pictures. Dad Adams looks great. Imagine getting himself a ride on lawn mower at 94!!! Spunky guy.

joy said...

Very touching moments. Happy birthday to your father-in-law. I am happy to see your family out there:) yes, i will include him in my prayer and you and george:)

Connie said...

Happy birthday to your dear father-in-law, Betsy. That is quite a milestone. Looks like you all had a wonderful celebration.

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful celebration!

Sally Wessely said...

This is just marvelous! Thanks for sharing this joyous occasion with us.

Beth said...

Happy Birthday to Dad Adams! How lovely that he could celebrate such a special milestone with his loved ones around him...may God bless him and all those who love and care for him.

Janie said...

Happy birthday to him! It's wonderful to see someone still able to enjoy life and love in the midst of his family for so many years.
My favorite photo is the last one, of Dad Adams with the children.

Out on the prairie said...

What a great time!!!I would love to meet him. The peanut buter pie sounds yummy, been a long time since I have had some.

Glenda said...

What a special occasion! I can tell by the smiles that it was a treasured day in honor of a family patriarch!

Grandma Bonnie said...

Happy Birthday to John!! He deserves a congratulations!!! Love your photos.

Andrea said...

Hi Betsy, being 100 today is very-very exceptional. He is so blessed for having a long life and a wonderful loving family.

Fred Alton said...

Betsy, this is a wonderful tribute to Dad Adams. He sounds like the kind of man I want to be at age 100. Very special that you have that love for George's family - and I can see why. They sound and look like outstanding people.

Shilpa said...

That’s wonderful and hoped u all had a great time sharing with the youngest among the young :)
Lovely photos, and what a remarkable day to remind forever! I wish him all the best and happy returns of the day!

Cheers and Hugs
Shilpa

Lynda said...

Not only do you have pics of the memories of a special day - - - but to the genealogist in your family, they got treasures that day for the scrapbooks!

A Colorful World said...

Happy Birthday to your wonderful Dad-in-law!!! 100 is awesome! Good for him! Great pictures of a very happy celebration!

Love your new header, by the way.

Heidrun Khokhar, KleinsteMotte said...

May all continue to keep well.
I too spent an awesome time with a 100 year old, my auntie's partner who still walks well and plays cards so well he's hard to beat.