On October 1, Jimmy Carter celebrated a major milestone, becoming the first U.S. president to reach 100 years old. While his family honored this remarkable moment, his grandson shared that Carter is now “very limited in what he can do,” reflecting on the final stages of his life’s journey.
Friends and family gathered in Plains, Georgia, Carter’s hometown, to celebrate his birthday, marking the first one without his wife Rosalynn. President Joe Biden sent a heartfelt message, acknowledging the bittersweet occasion, reminding Carter that even though Rosalynn passed away, she remains with him in spirit.
The milestone celebration took place at the home Carter and Rosalynn built in the 1960s, where Carter has been in hospice care. His grandson Jason shared that this home has always provided Carter with the most comfort and support, and there is no other place where he’d want to spend these final moments.
Jason also spoke about the difficulty his grandad has faced since Rosalynn’s death, after 77 years of marriage, noting that no one can fully understand what Carter is going through. He emphasized the importance of accepting that this stage of life is deeply spiritual and beyond full comprehension.
At the birthday celebration, Carter’s son Chip and other family members enjoyed cupcakes on the lawn while World War II planes flew overhead in honor of the former president. Chip mentioned that Carter is still engaged and intends to live long enough to vote in the upcoming election, showing his continued dedication to democracy.
Jason reflected on the significance of Carter’s 100 years, highlighting the immense good he’s done throughout his life. He also shared how the last 19 months, during which Carter has been in hospice, have been an opportunity for the family and the world to reflect on his legacy.
While physically limited and rarely leaving home, Carter remains emotionally engaged, still laughing and enjoying meaningful experiences in these final stages of his journey. Jason expressed that this time has been deeply significant for his grandfather, a unique chapter of life that can only be experienced at the very end.
The 5-year-old piano prodigy plays for his 101-year-old grandmother, her last request brings him to tears
Piano prodigy Ryan Wang recently performed an extraordinary private concert for 101-year-old Dorothy Landry, months after he captivated audiences on “The Ellen Show” and graced the stage at Carnegie Hall. This special performance was organized by CBC Music, a Canadian digital music distributor, and featured five-year-old Ryan playing “Variations on an Inner Mongolian Folk Song” exclusively for Landry.
Although Dorothy had been an avid fan of Ryan since he was three years old, her hearing impairment made it difficult for her to fully enjoy his public performances. To address this issue, CBC Music arranged a private concert that gave Dorothy an intimate musical experience.
In a cozy atmosphere, Dorothy sat in her wheelchair while young Ryan performed beside her, clutching a large teddy bear and jumping with excitement. Ryan expressed to “Grandma Dorothy” how much it meant to him to play just for her, and her face beamed with joy at the personal touch of the performance.
Dorothy was keen to show her gratitude by calling Ryan a “very special little human” and sharing her excitement for his future performances. She also invited Ryan to visit her again after his upcoming trip to China and expressed her heartfelt thanks. This heartfelt exchange highlights the profound connections that music can create across generations and borders.
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