MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Mossel Bay's Maria Jansen turned 98 on Youth Day, Sunday 16 June.
When asked how she feels, turning this fine age, she has one thing to say: "I am just thankful to the Lord."
She notes: "I have no health complaints, just a sore back sometimes, but the pain goes away again."
Her daughter Alma, who lives with her, describes her as a "very caring, friendly person".
Quiet
Maria is quiet and softly spoken.
She has a Bible scripture on her living room wall and a picture of a rose in a frame with the words: "Mothers are like roses, their hearts are always open...."
Also taking pride of place on a table is a framed photograph of her and Mossel Bay mayor Dirk Kotzé, taken when he visited her on her birthday last year.
Children
Maria has nine children. She had 11, but her oldest son and daughter have passed away.
Her children live in Mossel Bay, except for a son in Atlantis, another son in Kimberley and a daughter in Gqeberha.
Born on a farm
Maria was born on a farm in the Albertinia area and came to Mossel Bay as an adult.
Her husband, who first worked on a farm and then on roads, passed away in 2002.
Watching television
Maria enjoys watching television while she knits jerseys for babies and children, using patterns, but she says humbly: "I just knit in my own way."
She lives in Extension 8, D'Almeida.
Maria enjoys eating vegetables. "She always prefers her vegetables to a piece of sausage or meat," Alma says.
Family's message
Her family's message to Maria on her birthday is:
"Baie geluk met mamma se verjaarsdag. Dankie vir soveel jare se omgee, liefde en gebede.
"Ons weet dis van onvoorwaardelike liefde."
Psalm 91:1-2 - Hy wat in die skuilplek van die Allerhoogste sit, sal vernag in die skaduwee van die Almagtige. Ek sal tot die Here sê: My toevlug en my bergvesting, my God op wie ek vertrou. "Dis ons bede vir mamma."
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