It may have been the shiny, red Harley-Davidson, her stylish leather jacket or the prospect of a ride aboard the motorcycle toward our Great Smokies that gave Elsie Godo such a gorgeous smile on Tuesday morning.
Or it could have been what May 28 represented for her — the day this resident of MorningView Village Assisted Living in Maryville turned 100.
It was all of that and more, expressed Godo as she got last minute instructions from her driver, Jimmy Anderson. He and friend Steve Brooks, a retired police officer, guided this new centenarian onto the bike after sliding on the helmet and gloves. Anderson, with Godo aboard, had a police escort from Maryville Police Department as they pulled out of MorningView and onto East Lamar Alexander Parkway for the 20-25 minute ride.
No one was calling her anything but brave, daring, spunky and fun-loving on a day she defied the odds to reach this milestone birthday. And someone ready for the action to unfold called Godo a “motorcycle mama.” She was more than happy to wear the title.
Fellow MorningView residents followed behind the bike in the center’s bus. Passersby were encouraged to give a honk to Godo as she made her way down the parkway. Activities Coordinator Chelsea Rayfield said the bus of well-wishers was a surprise for Godo. She called those on the bus Godo’s fan club.
As she left MorningView, Godo gave the two thumbs up, a huge smile and a wave.
Anderson had asked Godo weeks ago if she wanted to make her 100th birthday memorable with a trek aboard his motorcycle. It was an emphatic yes. She said she had taken a motorcycle ride once before, decades ago, and loved it.
Once Godo returned, she prepared for yet one more celebration as friends and family gathered in a meeting room at MorninView. There, she was greeted by family, including son, Ted, and his wife, Gloria, who came from Texas. Godo’s other son, David, and his wife, Alicia, were present as well. Fresh bouquets lined the tables and the stack of well-wishes grew. Piano music was played and refreshments handed out.
Several friends, like Jeanne Morris and Helen Oslei posed for photos with Godo. Rhonda Simmons drove up from Gulfport, Mississippi to visit with her husband Glynn, a resident at MorningView, and to be part of this milestone event.
Rhonda said Glynn was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s. He loves being part of Godo’s line dancing class. The 100-year-old teaches classes at MorningView every week.
Petite in stature but fiercely independent and confident in her abilities to do what those much younger shy away from, Godo said her life continues to be full of joy.
Godo sat at her party table with tiara in place. She said it was a day full of fun. The love shown to her was a precious gift. And when asked about that morning motorcycle ride, she seemed to get a rush all over again.
“I loved it,” she said. “I didn’t want to come back.”
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