Picture of the day - April 2, 2007

Gay Helton Celebrates Her 90th Birthday

Yesterday marked a major milestone for one of the most wonderful ladies I have ever met, Mrs. Gay Helton of Bristol, Virginia. God grants relatively few among us the opportunity to become a nonagenarian, but yesterday afternoon Gay celebrated her 90th birthday at a festive party attended by dozens of close friends and family members. And a great time was had by all! Gay spent the afternoon walking around, greeting friends and posing for pictures with a huge smile on her face, all the while basking in the love and affection of all the people she has touched with her love and kindness over the years. Most of us can only dream about being even half as vibrant and energetic as Gay when (and if) we reach that golden age! Cheria and I have had the great privilege of knowing Gay's son Teddy and his wife Phyllis for some time now, and it didn't take us long to learn just how much love and respect they have for this amazing lady. When it comes to expressing one's feelings towards a loved one, no one could do it more eloquently than Phyllis: "It's hard to put into words the person who is Gay Helton. She has been a mother to me since the day Teddy brought me home as his wife. I said "Hello, Mrs. Helton" and she said "No, I'm not Mrs. Helton, I'm your Mommy", and she has been ever since. Our children can tell you she dispenses love like a never empty barrel, and she gets it back in spades. I don't know of a soul that knows "Mommy" that doesn't love her. She has worked since the age of 15, and she got her own car at the age of 15 or 16 so she could get to work. She and Teddy's dad always supported us in every thing we have done. There is not a selfish bone in her body - she will give until there is nothing left to give. She is also very independent, and she will not let you do anything for her that she can do for herself. She still cooks, keeps her own house, gets her own groceries and digs in her flower beds. What else can I say? We love her." Few daughters-in-law hold this much love and respect for their husband's mother, and the fact that Phyllis does says a lot about how Gay has lived her life. She has surely experienced a lot in her long lifetime and she shows no signs of quitting any time soon. May God continue to bless Gay Helton as she continues on her wonderful journey towards her heavenly reward. Along with many others, Cheria and I look forward to attending a lot more of her birthday parties!   Visit the POTD Archives for previous "Pictures Of The Day"!     Submit a photo of your own!            Why I publish the "Picture of the Day"