A woman celebrating her 107th birthday had a heartbreaking reason for asking for three simple food items. Paquita Rodríguez has seen a lot during her time on Earth, having lived through through two world wars, two dictatorships – of Franco and Primo de Rivera – and the Spanish Civil War.
The harships she has experienced through her long life have led her to ask for the same birthday presents each year. Paquita asks her children for chickpeas, oil and rice, as she has believes having access to basic food is important.
Paquita celebrated her birthday at the San Juan Grande care home in Jerez de la Frontera last week. Her surprise party was attended by friends and family.
When asked to sum-up a life full of memories and sacrifice, Paquita says it boils down to three things. “Work, work, and more work,” she told Canal Sur.
Despite a life of sacrifice, raising five children while working tirelessly as a seamstress, Paquita has maintained her good health and sense of humor. Her daughter, Lali Garcia, shed light on the reason behind her mother’s recurring request, explaining to La Voz de Cádiz: “When she hears news about everything happening now.
“All she wants is for us to buy chickpeas, oil, and lots of rice because she’s afraid of what she’s lived through.”
Paquita, known affectionately as “the grandmother of Jerez” for her boundless energy and humour, has declared life to be “boring” since settling into a quieter routine after years of juggling work with a hectic family life, reports Surrey Live.
At an impressive age, Paquita is the elder among two nonagenarian siblings, but it’s she who boasts the finest health, which daughter Lali attributes to her diligent morning gymnastics regime.
Appearing on local television during her birthday celebrations, a modest Paquita appeared a touch bewildered by the attention, humorously remarking that the birthday fanfare was simply over her becoming another year older.
The number of those reaching the milestone of a century is on the rise. As per the latest count, Spain proudly hosts 19,573 centenarians, while figures from England and Wales show a total of 15,120, marking a 3.7 percent increase compared to the previous year according to the Office for National Statistics.
