Features

A blessed centenarian

By GEORGE HENRY, STAR WRITER

Centenarian Stephen Wright - George Henry

SPALDINGS, CLARENDON:

STEPHEN WRIGHT OF Sanguinetti in North West Clarendon turned 104 years on Wednesday. His dream is for God to bless him; so that he can better the age of 111 years, the number of years lived by his grandmother and his mother Estelle who died when she was 107.

He pointed out that the way he felt when THE STAR visited him, he could surpass 111 years, as he still feels strong.

According to Mr. Wright, who noted that he is in good health and who is still able to see and hear well, his number of years on earth can be attributed to the fact that he has tried his best to obey his parents, as is stated in the Bible.

"The Bible says children obey your parents so that your days may be long upon this land; and I obeyed my parents, so my days are long. And that is the reason why I am around for so long," said the centenarian.

Apart from being obedient to his parents, Mr. Wright also attributed his many years to what he described as the 'good food' he consumed, especially while he was young. He said among his favourite food was goat soup, which he stated he prepared himself.

"I cooked my soup myself and people used to love it to the extent that whenever there was a wedding they would come and ask me to cook it for their reception. When there is a party or funeral they would ask that I cook for them," said Mr. Wright with a broad smile.

He also stated that the community of Sanguinetti, which has a wonderful climate, has also contributed to him being able to stay around for so long.

He said that all his faculties were intact and that he was involved in agriculture up until 1997 when he got a fall which injured his back. Mr. Wright, who stated that he misses farming, said at 104 years old he still has the urge to do what he liked best.

Crops such as yam, banana, ginger and coffee were among the many crops which Mr. Wright planted before his back got injured from falling off a building.

He noted that he visits his doctor occasionally for check-ups and reports have shown that all is well.

Wright, who does not forget things easily, said he used to travel to the United States to work on contract. He also stated that he remembered when he was disappointed in 1914 after not being able to go to the United Kingdom to serve as a soldier. According to him, he was told that he was too young. He was only 13 years old at the time. It was from there that he said he took up farming.

The centenarian, who looks as if he is just about 80 years old, said God has blessed him with 10 children, eight of whom are still alive. He also said his parents, Estelle and David, had 20 children, 15 of who are still alive and all of them visit him from time to time. This he said makes him very happy.