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Not everyone gets the opportunity to reach the age of 104, but when they do, it’s a time for celebration and reflection. Gerald, a remarkable centenarian, recently experienced just that when his son, Kevin Mills, took to Twitter to request birthday wishes for his father. Little did they know that this simple request would result in an outpouring of love and well-wishes beyond their wildest expectations.
Accompanied by an adorable image of Gerald, Kevin tweeted, “This is my dad, Gerald. He turns 104 on 12 July. Any chance I can muster 104 happy birthdays from Twitter? He’ll be amazed and baffled in equal measure.” What followed was a heartwarming thread of people sharing images and birthdays of their loved ones, with a significant number featuring elderly grandparents.
The tweet instantly gained traction, and Gerald was inundated with replies, receiving far more than the initial goal of 104 birthday wishes. The tweet received over 423,000 likes, touching the hearts of people from all walks of life. One touching reply came from Adam Hill, who posted a picture of his premature baby daughter and expressed his hope that she would live as long as Gerald. “Happy Birthday Gerald. This is my daughter Flora who was born 12 weeks premature and has just come home to us at three months old. Hope she makes it to 104 too,” his heartfelt message read.
Many others shared images of their elderly relatives while extending their birthday wishes. Joanna shared a photo of her 101-year-old grandmother named Bridget alongside the message, “Happy birthday Gerald! My nan, Bridget, shares a birthday with your dad, and she’ll be 101 this year! Hats off and many, many happy returns to these two very special centenarians and all the others on here!” Another heartwarming post featured an image of a baby granddaughter, with the sender toasting to both Gerald and their shared birthday. “Cheers Gerald! My birthday is also July 12th, a toast to us! My new granddaughter thinks the secret to long life is being extra cute, but I think you already know that by looking at your pic!” the sender shared.
Notably, even celebrities joined in on celebrating Gerald’s milestone birthday. Mark Hamill, renowned for his role as Luke Skywalker in the iconic “Star Wars” series, tweeted “For Gerald” along with a birthday cake emoji. Another familiar face, English actor and comedian Stephen Fry, chimed in with a simple yet heartfelt “Happy birthday Gerald! xx.”
Gerald’s tweet didn’t just inspire individuals; it became a small-scale campaign and even received coverage on the radio. “@KHI945OCMD wishes Happy Birthday Gerald from 94.5 KHI in Ocean City, MD,” a tweet read, accompanied by a video of the radio host talking about the heartwarming story. Additionally, Sharon Steed shared a bittersweet image of her late father sitting on a sofa next to an adorable dog. “Happy birthday, Gerald!! My dad made it to 86 (this is him before he passed this past with my dog, Washington); he probably would have talked your ear off and eaten all the cake with you today!” she shared, encapsulating the sentiment of cherishing every moment.
What started as a simple request for birthday wishes turned into a tremendous outpouring of love and happiness for Gerald. From celebrities to ordinary people, everyone came together to celebrate this remarkable milestone. The heartwarming responses showcased the kindness and warmth that can be found in communities, both online and offline. Gerald’s 104th birthday became a testament to the power of connection and the joy that can be shared across generations.
So here’s to Gerald, a true inspiration, and to all the incredible centenarians who continue to enrich our lives with their wisdom, humor, and resilience. May their birthdays be filled with love, joy, and many more happy returns!
