-event kicks off ‘Month of the Elderly’ observations
MINISTER of Human Services and Social Security Ms. Priya Manickchand and members of her staff yesterday celebrated with Ms. Doris Morrison her 105th birthday. A special programme was put together by the Ministry to honour Ms. Morrison who resides at Prince William Street, Plaisance, East Coast Demerara.
At the birthday celebration, family members, close friends, church members and villagers gathered to wish health and strength to Ms. Morrison.
Minister Manickchand noted that celebrating with Ms. Morrison is the perfect way to kick off observations of the Month of the Elderly, which is recognized every year in October.
Ms. Morrison gave birth to two children, but only her daughter is alive and lives overseas. Her son died on her 100th birthday.
She is being cared for by her granddaughter, Maxine, who was rather tearful at the celebration. She explained that she has great faith and patience in caring for her grandmother.
According to Maxine, her grandmother was born in Buxton, but moved to Plaisance where she remained. She also noted that her grandmother has nine grandchildren, 26 great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren.
She also said that even though her grandmother is now senile, she is sometimes surprised by some of the things she would say.
“She’s senile, but sometimes the things she says would leave me surprised. She knows taste good; she likes when I gave her ice-cream, but not water. She makes up her face when I give her water,” Maxine said.
As members of the Seventh Day Adventist Church sang and Buxton drummers beat their drums, Ms. Morrison could be seen tapping her finger slowly on her lap as though she was enjoying the music.
The afternoon celebration in recognition of Ms. Morrison’s 105th birthday concluded with her cutting the birthday cake, and taking the first piece to taste.