Thought for the Week===

A SENIOR American lady at a petrol-filling station saw the young man next to her was smoking.

“You know, I used to smoke when I was young,” she said to him, “but I gave up when I was about your age. And I’m very glad I did.”

He enquired how old she was and, hearing that she was ninety six, he said “wow, can I give you a hug?”

This incident comes from a most inspiring biography of Beverly Almond. The 97-year-old American lady had a fascinating life.

During World War II she worked as a secretary at Bletchley Park with the code-cracking team. Later she lived in Iraq and Lebanon with her husband who started working life as an American missionary teacher. Together they had many bridge-building experiences working with those from different faiths and nationalities through their work with Moral Re-Armament.

But perhaps the most inspiring part of the book refers to her present situation. After a happy marriage lasting 61 years, Beverly now lives alone, greatly supported by family and neighbours.

She is active in the community through her church and neighbourhood activities for seniors. She regularly reads the newspaper, does the crossword and knows about many situations world-wide through a lively correspondence with friends and contacts. Her out-going life style demonstrates that age can be an asset.

Beverly’s conversation is peppered with lovely phrases like 'hidden wisdom'. She told her family that what kept her going were the 3 “F”s, Faith, Family and Friends. Then she added two more, Food and Fun.

This book* is a tonic for anyone considering life as a silver-haired wrinkly!

Ruth Neal, member Altrincham Interfaith Group.

*Beverley Almond, an Ageless Adventurer, by Anne Hamlin