While I have been personally following the world oldest people for years, the FFP first reported Besse Cooper as the world’s oldest person way back in August.  She was born in Tennessee in 1896 and moved to Georgia in WWI.  World War One.  The Red Baron, 19-teens, 100 YEARS AGO!  Her life stretched across three centuries.  I think I find this so interesting because she was alive for every major event you could possibly think of.  30 years removed from The Civil War.  30 years!  The sheer volume of first hand knowledge this person had with them is staggering. It is also so depressingly fragile.  She had a stomach flu but got her hair done anyway.  Afterwards she had trouble breathing, and was dead hours later.

If I was to pinpoint the genesis for the decline of culture in the US, I think it starts with our absolute obsession with youth, and the complete dismissal of the elderly.  The circle of life was meant to close with review.  Lessons, traditions, stories of times gone by.  Things we could look at as our foundation, to take the good and improve on the bad.  They made the mistakes, and their job is to make sure the youngest generation does not make those same goofs.

Seniors aren’t useless, they are vital.  Although I never met Besse, I am confident she was a national treasure.

In her place lies another American, NOW world’s oldest person 115-year-old Dina Manfredini of Iowa.