This 'n That
 

Bessie Higgins to Celebrate 103rd Birthday

St. Clair County Courier
21 October 2008

Another milestone has been reached by Bessie Disney Higgins. She will be celebrating 103 years of life on Oct. 31. Family and friends will gather to share in the celebration on Oct. 23 at The Old Place, Hwy 82 East to NE 1021 Road, turn left.
Most of Bessie's life has been spent in St. Clair County. before her marriage to Clarence Higgins, she taught all grades at Rich Valley School near Taberville. After her marriage, she lived for several years on a farm. She and Clarence raised four children. For a period of time, they lived in California, later returning to Missouri.
In her later years, she has lived in Osceola. She is a member of the First Baptist Church, which has been very important in her life. She loves flowers and gardening and enjoys being with friends, and sharing her beautiful poetry and her knowledge of the old times and the progress that has been made since the early 1900s.
Her motto is, "Keep busy and serve the Lord."
The following is one of her poems:

Did You Take Time?
Did you take time to enjoy a beautiful flower?
Did you thank God for a gentle shower?
Did you gaze in awe at a bird in flight
or listen to its song far into the night?
Did you watch the firefly as it lights its way
searching for a mate at the close of day?
Did you hear the wind whisper to the trees,
or watch the leaves dance to the music of the breeze?
Did you see the sun quietly sink from sight
bidding the world a silent "Good Night"?
Nature is a living picture that tells a true story
which reveals God's creation in all of its glory.

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