One Day on Earth

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A day in the life of an amazing 102 year old lady


Her name is Sister Mary Loyola Engel and she was born on July 22nd, 1908 in the North Bronx, New York, USA. She was born in her father's house and was delivered by her aunt: then a nurse at Bellevue Hospital. Sister Mary Loyola Engel has been a Nursing Sister of the Infant Jesus for 80 years; more years than some of us may even hope to live.

To put things in perspective, the Model T Ford was introduced in October 1st of 1908 and the Wright Brothers had flown in their experimental airplane only 5 years earlier. She has lived through all major wars of the 20th Century, the Great Depression, all recessions and has seen more global change than most of us can only read in history books. Greatest importance of all, she has dedicated her life to helping others through her nursing and social services. I have the honor of being in her family because she is my wife's grand aunt.


My wife, our seven year old daughter - there is a 95 year generational span between her and her Great Grand Aunt - and I went to visit Aunt Adelaide on October 10, 2010. In the photo above she is giving my daughter a cross that she got on one of her many trips to the Holy Land. She is always sharing whatever she has. Although she is a centenarian, she is still very active and sharp and always has new and interesting stories and topics to discuss with us whenever we visit.


Throughout her years, she has been a Superior, a teacher, a nurse, a hospice worker and a guide on pilgrimages to the Holy Land. She received her Masters of Art in Theology in 1965 when she was 57 years old and wrote two books at 97 and 99 years old, respectively. She even uses email to currently communicate with her family and friends around the world.


Sister Mary Loyola lives in a convent on Long Island, New York along with the other 50 or so elderly Sisters of her congregation. She spends most of her day reading or visiting with her friends at the convent. They all meet at the dining room for their evening meal and go to the chapel a few times a week. Although she "can't do what she used to do" and "need(s) to slow down" she is by no means sedentary. She is still invited to social functions and attends many of them.


Whenever we visit, Aunt Adelaide loves to play games with my daughter. Although there is a 95 year difference between them, she always takes the time - and energy - to be involved. They play cards or board games or just sit around talking and enjoying each other's company.


Since Aunt Adelaide is 102 years old and we don't live too close to each other, it's always on the forefront of our minds the amount of time we may have together. In the end, that is something we all - as human beings - should take into consideration in our lives. Even at 102 years, our time on this planet is limited and we should enjoy, be grateful, share, teach and respect each other to the fullest extent of our ability. That's the lesson i've learned from Sister Mary Loyola Engel.


If you would like to see more photos of our day together, please visit the photo gallery.


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