NIA CHARLESTOWN Nevis, November 02nd, 2012 -- It was a happy day for family, friends and well wishers of Mr. Arnold Chiverton of Beach Road, when they gathered for a small service of thanksgiving in celebration of his 98th birthday. The event was held at the Flamboyant Nursing Home on October 31, 2012.
His granddaughter Ms. Hazel Brandy who chaired the celebrations, in remarks described her grandfather affectionately called “Dada” as being very, very good to his family.
“Over the past years Dada has been a very, very good grandfather. He has been there for us. He has been able to talk to us when we need help or when we need counselling. He has just been a wonderful grandfather,” she said.
Apart from his family obligations, Ms. Chiverton said over the years he had other interests among them politics and sports.
“Apart from everything, he likes politics and he also wants to know what’s going on and every time I would go by him he would say ‘Hazel what’s the latest?’
“He always engaged in sports, he always liked cricket and he likes to know what’s going on but as the years go by, his age and his health is fading a bit but we are still grateful to God that he has life and strength,” she said.
Ms. Chiverton recalled a conversation regarding his age when she visited him at the Home recently.
“I remember a few weeks ago I came to visit him here at the Home and I said to him ‘dada your birthday coming up you know, how old you going to be? and he said ‘me eh remember you know about 70’. I say ‘70 all now? No you going to be 98’.
“I said to him ‘dada [are] you going to make a 100?’ he said ‘100, 98 that’s a lot of years. I first have to send a letter up to the Master and once the Master gives me permission, I would like to live to see 100’. So I am hoping that the Master would give him permission and he would live to see the century and we would be back here and give God thanks for the long life he has lived,” she said.
His grandson Bervis Burke who was also present at the celebration expressed his love and gratitude for his grandpa who he said had been an inspiration to him.
“It was about 18 years ago when I was born into this world and Dada was about 80 years, if my Maths served me correctly. I am very grateful for my Grandfather. I remember when he used to go to the market and bring back some coconut drops for me. That to me was an inspiration to go on in life and do great things even though it was just a coconut drop, I really love coconut drops.
“I would like to thank everyone for coming here today and respecting my grandfather’s birthday and I really love him from the bottom of my heart. I guess everybody in the family knows that already. I would just like to say thanks for coming and Dada, have a good birthday,” he said.
His daughters Mrs. Ester Sutton who resides in St. Thomas and Mrs. Helen Webbe who resides in England also wished their dad happy birthday . They were the only two of Mr. Chiverton’s 12 children present.
During the proceedings, The Social Services Department in collaboration with the City Drug Store presented Mr. Chiverton with a gift basket. His niece Ms. Gloria Liburd offered a word of prayer, his cousin Mr. Brian Morton read a passage of scripture while Pastor John Roberts presides over the service.
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