Esther Gould's 100th birthday!

Posted by Andrew Gould (Sydney, Australia) on 7 March 2009 in Miscellaneous and Portfolio.

Today, my mother had her 100th birthday. Congratulations came from the queen (this post), governor general of Australia, prime minister, governor of our state, New South Wales, and federal, state and local members of parliament.

Here's what arrived from the queen. I took photos and videos (with the Canon G10), but had an external hard drive fail on me the day before. No photos lost, but this has delayed me posting. It's already the morning of the 8th over here.

So for now, here's a photo of my mother at 96 years of age. You'll find some information about her life there, too:
http://andrewgould.aminus3.com/image/2007-08-08.html

As you might expect, age is catching up with my mother, and she now lives in a nursing home which is just a few blocks from our place. She does not get around as she used to at 96, but is not bedridden or anything like that. My mother is still very much with us!

Please see my photojournal on my website, where I am now posting:

http://www.andrewgouldphotography.com/Galleries/Photojournal

Comments (23)

dj.tigersprout from San Bruno, CA, United States

Congratulations and best wishes to your mother and the family. What an amazing achievement!! I am glad she is getting this wonderful recognition -- what was her reaction? All the best mate -- see you down under soon!!! :)

8 Mar 2009 1:24am

@dj.tigersprout: Thanks, DJ! My mother took it all quite calmly, but did enjoy it. See you soon in Sydney!

Observing from North West, United Kingdom

Congratulations Mrs Gould.....!!! Happy Birthday. I am sure you are very proud Andrew, it's not everyday that the Queen sends out a card.

In the photo of your mother at 96, she looks very well and much younger.

8 Mar 2009 2:10am

@Observing: Thanks, Mike! It certainly isn't every day, and that's why I decided to post this here.

roentarre from Melbourne, Australia

Wow, that is a very special post here. Congradulation on 100th birthday and you definitely have good genes for sure!

My family line hardly surpasses 60 year old of age. So I can only be envious :)

8 Mar 2009 3:14am

@roentarre: Thank you, James! Lets hope for a lot more years for us all... as long as we can hold a camera up and click!!!

Laurie from New Jersey, United States

Oh wow that is such a special day! 100 years young. Congrats to your mom. Happy 100th!

8 Mar 2009 4:27am

@Laurie: Thanks for the wishes, Laurie!

sherri from Little Rock, United States

How very special. Happy Birthday to her. You've captured a fabulous image and what an honor was bestowed upon her. A wonderful post:-)

8 Mar 2009 5:41am

@sherri: Thank you for visiting, Sherri!

Emilio Garcia from Pleasanton, United States

Beautiful recognition from a lot of very important people (how very British and regal). Give your mother our warmest greetings. How well deserved and significant all of this must have been for her.

8 Mar 2009 6:21am

@Emilio Garcia: Thank you, Emilio! It all worked out nicely.

Arash from Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Happy Birthday and congratulation to your mother and the family :)
It's a unique day, Andrew ;)
with all my best wishes.

8 Mar 2009 6:54am

@Arash: Glad you made it to say that, Arash!

Aaron Schmidt from Auckland, New Zealand

Congratulations to your mother, Andrew. Very impressive. I would have to live for another 70 years to accomplish that feat. =) All the best to you and your family.

8 Mar 2009 7:37am

@Aaron Schmidt: Thank you, Aaron! Another 70 years? My mother refers to people at 60 (such as me) as "young people", so where does that leave you!

Mirko Herzner from Mühlheim am Main, Germany

What a moment for an old lady to receive this letter from the queen... :-) Congratulations to her from Germany, Andrew.

8 Mar 2009 8:25am

@Mirko Herzner: Thanks very much, Mirko!

Japanalia from Yokohama, Japan

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! to your Mother, Andrew! It must have been a great event for her to be celebrated in such a style! YOU...are a happy person, Andrew, to have enjoyed your Mother for such a long time!!!!
My best wishes to her and you, too! Gabriela

8 Mar 2009 9:04am

@Japanalia: Thank you so much for dropping in on this occasion, Gabriela!

Betty from New Jersey, United States

Happy Birthday to your mother! You are so lucky to have her so long, she is beautiful. Best wishes to her and the entire family!

8 Mar 2009 10:39am

@Betty: Thank you very much, Betty!

kiji from Valenciennes City of Lights, France

Happy birthday! Happy 100th! Congratulations :)

8 Mar 2009 10:54am

@kiji: Thank you so much, Kiji!

Kylie Greenan from Richmond, Australia

Congratulations to you mum on her 100th birthday. I hope she and your family had a wonderful day... I also hope I look as good as she did at 96. She looks like a lovely lady. Great post!

8 Mar 2009 11:03am

@Kylie Greenan: Thank you, Kylie! We did have a great day.

Lorraine from Gatineau, Canada

Wow, Happy Birthday Andrew's Mum, wow what a honour, the Queen gives you a hug in a card, I like that. Great photo Andrew, I missed you...have you been away? or have i been neglectful?

8 Mar 2009 11:55am

@Lorraine: Thank you, Lorraine! "A hug in a card"... I like that! I haven't been away. It's just life getting in the way. Must be the same for you. I'll visit your pages really soon... I promise!

Ivar from Indianapolis, United States

Wow, congratulations to your mum, thats pretty cool getting a card from the Queen :)

8 Mar 2009 4:01pm

@Ivar: Thanks a lot, Ivar!

Lilly and Ronnie 2¢ from London, United Kingdom

Very special Congratulations to Mrs Gould on the 100 !! I have never seen one of these cards before. A very fine achievement.

8 Mar 2009 5:54pm

@Lilly and Ronnie 2¢: Thank you, Lilly and Ronnie! I'd never seen one, either. That's why I though it would be interesting to use it for the post.

Gloria Alvarez from Barcelona-Menorca o viceversa, Spain

100 años! Felicidades a tu madre y a ti por tener ese privilegio.
Congratulations and best wishes to your mother

9 Mar 2009 8:25am

@Gloria Alvarez: ¡Gracias por el saludo, Gloria!

elmenut from Salt, Spain

100 años !!!
pues dale de mi parte 100 besos!!!

muchas felicidades Esther,y a ti tambien Andrew.

9 Mar 2009 4:39pm

@elmenut: ¡Muchas gracias! So los voy a entregar.

Samuel from New York, United States

Wow！

With my best wish 2 your mother & U ！

9 Mar 2009 5:43pm

@Samuel: Thanks, Samuel. That's appreciated.

Anthony Lambert from Bielefeld, Germany

A very special day for a special lady !!

10 Mar 2009 2:40pm

@Anthony Lambert: Thank you, Anthony!

Rags from Plano, United States

Congrats to her too.

12 Mar 2009 7:19am

@Rags: Thanks, Rags!

Magda from Vancouver, Canada

Happy Belated Birthday! 100 years old! What wonderful age to celebrate! Wishing Her all the best!

7 Apr 2009 8:31am

@Magda: Thank you, Magda! I will pass your wishes on to her.

Bill Jennings from Los Altos (Bay Area Calif), United States

What a great tradition that the Queen sends a personal note. Congratulations on your Mom's Centennial. It must be wonderful to have such great genes in the family.

22 Apr 2009 6:49pm

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ISO 80
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