Honouring my centenarian friend

     Today, as I write, that is exactly what is happening in my home province of New Brunswick, if the Maritime winter weather cooperates for the revellers. 

     My dear brother-in-law, Gordie, (as we lovingly liked to call him) will be showered with much-deserved love and attention for reaching this awesome milestone. 

     

     

     I came to know Gordie when his younger brother, Nelson became a permanent part of my life as I joined the Eagles’ clan. 

     Exactly one year ago this month, I posted a blog honouring Hazel, Gordie’s wife, who passed to her eternal home. 

   It retold the tale of Nels' accompanying Gordie and Hazel on the first part of their honeymoon — as he was returning to Vancouver, and they were going in that direction. 

     It all happened because of Gordie’s generous and loving heart, one of his many attributes.  (You may wish to check it out here.) 

     Psalm 68:6 reads thus  — “God sets the lonely in families,” so we can be cared for and won’t be lonely — (my words). 

     It was God’s initial plan to have each of us born and grow in a family, nurtured to maturity. Much of who we eventually become in life, is because of the influence of our ancestors. 

     Growing up in a rural setting in New Brunswick, the Eagles and Estabrooks families worshipped in the same little, country church. 

     I recall Gordie’s dad, Edgar, faithfully teaching the adult Sunday School class each week, and also singing in the church choir. 

     As a young child, I remembered being awed, when hearing these older men of our community offering their prayers of faith to God.

Edgar and Ella Eagles.

     No doubt Gordie’s dad’s voice was one of them I heard. 

      I was fortunate to see love and faith lived out in many practical ways.

     Gordie was fortunate to have grown up with a mom and a dad, within a large and loving family of nine children. 

     
     
     The seeds of God’s love were obviously deposited early in Gordie’s heart. 

     “One generation will commend your work to another; they will tell of your mighty acts.”

 — Psalm 145:4  

     I believe Gordie learned early that the attitude of one’s heart and the manner of one’s life are what’s most important in getting through life. 

     What words could I use to describe Gordie?            How about: loving, sensitive, humble, helpful, resourceful, peaceful, honest, faithful, and a man of integrity — a true man of God! 

     

Beulah and Gordon during a 2010 visit.

     I shall always remember Gordie for his pure loving, sincere, and welcoming hugs. 

     Each time when Nels and I returned home for family visits, Gordie’s welcome reassured us “we had really come home to family.” 

     Psalm 71:18 says, “Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come.”  

     Not to worry, Gordie. That you have already done! 

     

     From what I can see, your children Sandra, Charlene, Stephen and Ron, along with their spouses, have already “picked up the torch” and are busy living and sharing God’s love, even to the “next generation” already. 

     Most of us will not live to be Gordie’s ripe old age of 100. 

     But each day — no matter the length of our life’s span, while we're here — we can be a blessing to those around us, just as Gordie was, and still is.   


— beulah