Eulalio Smith, a resident of Rancho Dolores, turned 102 on Thursday. Now, he's one of the very, very, very few Belizeans to reach that ripe old age - and he made sure to celebrate it in style, indulging liberally in his favourite beverage, Brandy Mist.
That's right, old Mr. Eulalio still likes a good drink. But there's much more to him as Courtney Weatherburne found out today:..
Courtney Weatherburne reporting
"In the sweet by and by", that's one of Smith's favorite songs to sing on his bed. It is where he spends most of his time, listening to his tunes on this 20 year old radio.
But he did get up and enjoy the birthday party his family threw for him on Thursday.
Birthday signs, balloons and messages of admiration for Smith still hang in his room.
Rosalind Joseph, Daughter
"One of my brothers came from the United States, Ervin, one of the Smith brothers. He came for the birthday. So, we had a nice little time with mostly family members. We had about nearly 100 family members here on Thursday afternoon and we cook food and we had two big cakes."
Smith also had a very nice time.
Eulalio Smith, Centenarian
"Yes, yes, yes."
Courtney Weatherburne
"They had a party for you?"
According to his daughter, he has always been this vibrant and free spirited.
Rosalind Joseph, Daughter
"Everybody love lolly sweet, because that's what he says his name is. He is lolly sweet and everywhere he goes, everybody loves him. He gives them jokes. He used to be the first chairman of our community. He used to be a cricketers. Out of all the cricketers, he is the only one that's alive in his age."
Courtney Weatherburne
"So he pretty much played an integral part in this community?"
Rosalind Joseph, Daughter
"Yes. The community center, he help to build it. He would always tell us that he back stones on his back, because it's a stone building you see. He used to be a farmer and hunting was his best shot and fishing. He use to go and bring hicatee for us too and he use to work in Hill Bank. He used to be a chiclero. It feels good to have him around yet. He is 102 and I am 63, so I take care of him."
And, the community feels good to have him too - this huge card tells of their love for him.
Mr. Eulalio has 2 daughters and 8 sons. He is the only one living of his 3 siblings.
Email
Print