And one woman who has lived to tell the tales of the COVID pandemic - and over a century's worth of other major historical events - is Leonora Patnett. Mrs Leonora turned 108 today and we've been covering her birthdays over the past 8 years, since she hit the triple digits back in 2013. And she doesn't look a day older!
But today, on top of the usual interviews, Mrs Leonora also got a visit from some big time guests. Courtney Menzies was there when they greeted her, and has this story.
The oldest Belize City resident just got one year older. Leonora Patnett turned 108 today - a birthday that not many get to see. And to celebrate, she got a visit from Prime Minister, John Briceno, and the Mayor of Belize City, Bernard Wagner.
The PM explained how he first met Mrs Leonora.
Hon. John Briceno, Prime Minister
"What happened is that when we were campaigning for the City Council elections, we stopped right outside here and she was looking through the window and the family was telling me at that time she was 107 years, or a 106, and I promised her I was going to come a visit her for her birthday which is today. The mayor then reminded me last week, remember the lee lady you promised you would come visit her, I said yes, he said well she's going to be 108. Little did I know she's going to be a 108. It's certainly a blessing to live to see 108 years on this earth and one with a presence of mind that she can still talk, she spoke to me in Spanish also because she said she's originally from San Ignacio and she sai din this same very house she passed Hurricane Hattie so that could tell you about the history that she knows. And I joke with her, I like to boast that my grandfather lived to 102 but look at her, 108 years, can still carry a conversation, and she sits and have a lot of energy. I think it's a blessing and also a testament to the family that has been looking after their grandmother, or the daughter still looking after her mother. There's so many sad stories in Belize where we see that we abandon our old folks when we supposed to be looking after them, taking care of them, as opposed to just abandoning them so this is a good example of what love, attention, and caring can do for our elderly, giving them a life of love, attention and dignity."
The mayor added that elderly resident like Mrs Leonora are like walking history books about Belize.
Bernard Wagner, Mayor of Belize City
"Not many people live to see 108 years and regrettably my mother died at the age of 76 and my mother name Ms Leonora Patnett as well so you could see how I feel, I'm very attached to this family here. And so we felt compelled as a city to recognize her birthday and do something for her."
"This lady went through Hattie, one of the worse hurricanes that ever hit Belize and she was telling s a story up there that I was in this house that she weathered Hattie and so having these elderly people in our society, not only Mrs Patnett but whenever you have people that are elderly, we must learn to appreciate the history and the knowledge they contribute and the experience they contribute."
And Mrs Leonora had some sage words of advice if you want to live as long as she has.
Leonora Patnett, Celebrating 108th Birthday
"Well I feel very, I feel glad and I thank God that he bless me to see the day."
Courtney Menzies:
"I know people ask you what's the tip for living so long so what can you tell our viewers?"
Leonora Patnett, Celebrating 108th Birthday
"Well, live a good life, don't be all around. You go to sleep to time, you don't drink, you don't smoke, like some people, not all, some. They don't drink, they don't smoke and by that you'll have good health."
Courtney Menzies:
"How do you feel getting a visit from the prime minister and the mayor and they brought you gifts?"
Leonora Patnett, Celebrating 108th Birthday
"I feel very glad. It's the first time I meet the prime minister. The mayor, first time I meet them close to talk to."
And, knowing Ms Leonora as long we have, we expect that she'll be right here next year waiting for her special guests.
