Strength and kindness mark the life of Erasto Alvarado
In the year 1912 – 110 years ago – America added its 47th and 48th states, the Titanic sank, Woodrow Wilson was elected president, and Erasto Alvarado was born.
Mr. Alvarado may well be the oldest living person in Floyd County. He moved to California from his native Mexico in 1976 to find work and work he did. He worked in agricultural fields cutting grapes and cherries and sprouting trees. He moved to Georgia in 2014.
To celebrate his milestone, his family planned a celebration and invited his Heyman Hospice Care team to attend.
Afterall, when you turn 110, you should get a birthday party. Who’s not going to celebrate someone’s 110th birthday?
Mr. Alvarado’s nurse, Tracee Hagood, and social worker Kenisha Staples, both attended the event.
“I’ve never been to a 110-year-old’s birthday party,” Tracee said. “It was a wonderful experience for him, gathering with all of his family, his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.”
A highlight of the party is Mr. Alvarado’s traditional dance with his great-great granddaughter with whom he shares a birthday.
“They play a special song. They hold hands, and they sway back and forth as everyone gathers around,” Tracee said. “I can’t express enough how loving and caring the entire family is. They are just so devoted to him.”
Mr. Alvarado has been Tracee’s patient for the past five years. Over that span, he has survived COVID and recovered from two broken hips, making his birthday dance all the more special. She describes him as resilient. His grandson, Manuel, says he’s one of the strongest men he’s ever known.
“He worked in the fields as a young man,” Manuel said. “He is the kind of man who wants to do everything for himself. He needs to try before he asks for help. He always said that a man has to be strong, and that men never cry for any reason.”
Manuel witnessed that strength firsthand, watching his grandfather soldier through the loss of three sons and his wife.
“To be honest with you, I’ve never seen him cry,” Manuel said. “You will never see a drop come out of his eyes. He is a pretty strong man.”
Behind that strength, Manuel and Tracee agree, is a loving, kind-hearted soul and a deep faith.
“He is probably one of the most selfless people I have ever met,” Tracee said. “In spite of all of his ailments, his primary concern is everybody around him – his family. He reads his Bible every day. He has a strong faith that he tells me he has relied on. I’m telling you; I think he has a direct line straight to God.”
He attributes his faith as at least one reason for his long-life, advising “maintain a healthy life and pray to your God at all times.”
Tracee said she checks on Mr. Alvarado about twice a week and each departure is the same.
“He blesses me,” she said. “He takes my hands every time I get ready to leave, and he blesses them.”
And so, when her oldest patient turned 110, Tracee knew she had to go to his celebration. While her patient may have been honored by her presence, once again, it was Tracee who walked away blessed. Mr. Alvarado would have it no other way.