Three ladies in my motherline were blessed with celebrations for their 90th birthdays, although they chose different ways to mark their special occasions–one took her first plane trip, her oldest daughter enjoyed an open house, and the next one, also an oldest daughter asked for an excursion on a dinner train.
Great Grandmother Laura Jordan Goff, took her first plane trip to California in 1958. Laura was born in a Guthrie County log cabin, September 28, 1868. She nurtured a family of ten children (plus another who lived only a year), moving dozens of times, traveling mostly by horse and buggy or by train. She’d already taken the train to California to spend time with some of her children and grandchildren. But when she turned 90, she flew there with her oldest daughter, Leora.
My mother and her sister (Doris and Darlene) held an open house in1980 for their mother, Leora Goff Wilson, when she turned 90. Some of her great grandchildren were there to celebrate with the woman (born in Guthrie County, December 4, 1890) who had given birth to ten children, raised seven to adulthood, only to lose three during WWII. Later she’d made a home in Guthrie Center for her own mother for fourteen years.
Mom, Doris Wilson Neal, born in Guthrie County, August 30, 1918, didn’t want an open house. She asked to celebrate her 90th birthday with a ride on the Boone an Scenic Valley Dinner Train, so that’s what we did in August of 2008, including her sister Darlene and only grandchild, who traveled from the Twin Cities to attend.
If I’m blessed to live another ten years, I wonder what sort of celebration I’d enjoy. Maybe something with my only granddaughter, who will be 17 by then!
Your family certainly has the longevity gene!
Those three generations sure did!
How wonderful that the women in your family have got to celebrate their 90th birthdays! My mom lived to be 92. She was in a care home by the time she reached 90 but we made her an open house there and she loved it. Many people came. She glowed.
Oh, how dear!
If I’m here in 10 years, I’ll be sure to look you up, Joy!
If I’m here in 10 years, it would mean living with fibromyalgia for 1/3 of my life! I don’t know whether I want to or not.
Oh, don’t say that. You never know when they’ll come up with relief – they finally did for migraines.
What wonderful ways to celebrate 90th birthdays! All four women had seen such changes in the country in their lifetimes.
Yes! Great Grandmother was born just after the Civil War. Doesn’t seem possible, just four generations.
I know just what you mean!
Super to hear about the 90th birthday celebrations in your family. So fortunate and so different.
Thanks, Tim!
I love your great grandmother’s birthday wish…from being born in a log cabin to celebrating her 90th with a flight to California. Wonderful — and here’s to many, many more years for you, dear Joy! Ninety and beyond! 🥰
Bless you, Vicki!
🥰🥰🥰
The women in your family live long lives, a very good sign for you. Your plan to do something with your granddaughter sounds perfect. It would be something for her to remember and perhaps carry on the tradition.
Thank you, Pete. I’m working on my motherline stories. Granddaughter Kate’s motherline is more interesting than mine! Her other grandma, born in Italy, came to America as a child with her sister and parents.
A lovely post, Joy. Thanks for sharing those wonderful celebrations.
Thank you, John. I just discovered the earlier one, then realized I’d been in on two more!
😊
Wow… very few people in my lineage reached their 90s..
Annette, these three generations are the only ones to live into their 90s. I’ve been wondering about that. Two of them had 10 and 11 babies, so many uprootings, and difficult lives!
Well, you certainly don’t have any choice in the matter about celebrating your 90th, God willing. You must carry on the tradition and it has to be something different. You and your granddaughter have ten years to plan it! Love the pictures, Joy. 🙂
I love the way you think, Nancy!
I’m approaching 80, but the male side of Goff, Wilson, Scar doesn’t “measure up” so well. Regardless, I feel blessed in so many ways. We wish you 90 and many years beyond.
Most of Laura’s 7 sons lived into their 80s, and Willis lasted the longest, didn’t he? A remarkable generation. We have been blessed, Bob, in ways we probably took for granted. I don’t anymore!
Yes, your Mom and mine visited Ann and Willis and their daughters in February 1999. They had passed their 70th wedding anniversary. Maybe my genes from that family aren’t too bad!!
How wonderful, Joy! My mom was also Doris and lived to be 90, and my dad lived to 97! My father-in-law surpassed them both by reaching 100! I just take it one day at a time and hope that my husband and I have another 25 years. We’re in our early sixties. 🙂 Take care and have a good weekend. ❤️
Thanks for your note, Lauren! My mother-in-law just turned 101, still in her own home with her husband (who is 14 years younger than she is). We turned 80 this summer, but Guy has Parkinson’s and I’ve dealt with fibromyalgia for two decades. We’re downsizing but not giving up!
Wow, 101, that’s incredible, Joy! I’m sorry to hear your husband has Parkinson’s, and I know you’ve lived with fibromyalgia. I know what I’ve dealt with regarding nerve pain, so I have a small idea, but then again, I can’t imagine what it’s like. My niece has had fibromyalgia for years and I know it’s been difficult. I’ll keep both of you in my prayers. But you continue to inspire us all! xo
You are also on my prayer list for your stenosis, dear Lauren.
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It’s marvelous that members of your family make it to 90, Joy. To celebrate their 90th birthday the way they did is wonderful.
It was fun to learn about my great grandmother’s trip, and to find a photo of it!
Skydiving? Roller coaster ride? Campfire dinner in the Grand Canyon?
At least you’re creative! Or maybe you’re planning your own?
Oh no! I plan to celebrate my 90th sitting in my recliner, covered in one of Marleen’s quilts and sipping a nice hot cup of cocoa.
Sounds good to me as well!
Awesome celebrations!