A French nun all 118 years old has been named the oldest living person in the world after Kane Tanaka who was the recipient of the record. Sister André, born on February 11, 1904, was called Lucile Randon then and now she is a Guinness World Record holder.
Sister André became a Catholic nun in 1944. She is said to be the third-oldest French person and the third-oldest person from Europe. She had been a teacher, a governess, and looked after children in World War II. Even after the war got over she continued to follow her philanthropic interests and began working with orphans and elderly people in the region of Vichy, Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes. Here are some interesting anecdotes about the French nun who continues to live an active life. She was born at a time when the world wasn’t acquainted with world war yet.
She Does Not Laze Around
Despite being a centenarian, Sr. Andre still does not believe in lying in bed. She still wakes up early and prepares her own breakfast. She attends Mass every morning, although she has lost her sight, she has not lost her verve to attend Mass and be around people. There have been scientific studies supporting the fact that people who are part of larger social network has 45% fewer chances of dying.
She Had a Goal
It is said what you think and manifest comes true. And it is not any random statement it is true.
Sr. Andre had a goal or challenge to fulfill and she believed that she would be able to achieve her goal. It was to beat Jeanne Calment’s record, she was France’s oldest ever living person who breathed her last at 122. She believed and she accomplished it.
Retirement is Not on Her Cards
Although she has the verve to continue she sometimes feels challenged by so many activities and she wants to retire, but the others around her won’t let her. So she continues to work at her desk after her breakfast.
Her Strengths and Weaknesses
The nun has shared in a report, how she is known for her wisdom and intelligence. However, people have also recognized a stubborn streak in her. Well, you have to be dogged to live this long and it may be the secret sauce of her attaining the status of the oldest living person in the world. She also has her wit intact and never forgets to throw her head back and laugh even at her own expense.
She Found Happiness Along The Way
Before Sr. Andre went on to join the Daughters of Charity, Sr. Andre had worked as a governess in France (Paris) and those were the happiest times in her life. Her selfless philanthropic work has given her a lot of joy along the way. She also found solace in praying. How often do we ignore the small things in life which can give us indescribable happiness? Thankfully, Sr. Andre discovered what made her happy and she went on to revel in the small joys of life.
She Beat Several Diseases
There have been many impressive statistics associated with the nun, she is regarded as the world’s oldest living survivor of the deadly virus COVID-19 after she beat the virus just a few weeks before turning 117. Even if she had the disease, she was not bogged down by the symptoms, all she felt was a little bit of tiredness. Perhaps she survived because she wasn’t bogged down at the thought of death. Prior to her tryst with this virus, she also survived the Spanish Flu.
She Too Has a Guilty Pleasure
As per the members residing with her in the retirement home, she gives in to her indulges from time to time. For her indulges mean candies and chocolate. Also, she never forgets her glass of wine. Her birthday is never complete without the wonderful combination of wine and chocolate. She also has a cup of chocolate every day!
One Among Many
Sr. Andre resides in a country that has close to 21,000 centenarians and a country of 67 million inhabitants, which seems pretty incredible! Another OMG fact right there! The country is surely doing something right that so many centenarians are thriving in the country.
Is it the chocolate or the wine or just their lifestyle? Well, for now, we have to appreciate their lifestyle and we must mimic some of their habits to try and have a goal for ourselves too, much like Sr. Andre.
