So my father's oldest sister, the only sibling remaining, is celebrating her 102nd birthday in this month of April in the year of our Lord  - two thousand and seventeen. She's remarkable, living on her own, meeting her own needs (with only the help of a neighbour or two for groceries and such) and caring for her very healthy plants.

In a recent visit with my sisters, she quoted from memory and almost word-perfect the words of an old hymn. The verse she remembered is seldom sung; I've never before heard it, though I'm familiar with the hymn itself.

She remembered -

"E'en down to old age all My people shall prove
My sovereign, eternal, unchangeable love;
And when hoary hairs shall their temples adorn,
Like lambs they shall still in My bosom be borne.

She's known 'deep waters' and 'fiery trials' such as each of us must face, in our own times and ways; but her resiliance and health - of mind, body and soul, continues to inspire her family, still.

And her faith is contagious, inspiring and uplifting. Trusting in a caring, sovereign God and placing her life in child-like trust to be borne in his arms, is exemplary to those of whatever age.

Here's to the years she has left with us before God calls her 'Home' where so many of faith, of her family and friends, she knows await her.

Here's more of the hymn: -

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said
To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?

"Fear not, I am with thee, oh, be not dismayed,
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid;
I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.

"When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
The rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
For I will be with thee thy troubles to bless
And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.

"When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace, all-sufficient, shall be thy supply.
The flames shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine.

"The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose
I will not, I will not, desert to his foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I'll never, no never, no never, forsake!"

Text: Isaiah 43:1-7
Author: "Keen", 1787