Jennie Van Der Aa remembers when South Holland, Illinois, was nothing but onion fields and horse-drawn wagons, a newly-formed village whose population hovered around 1,000 people. She shopped at Walt's when it was just a fruit and vegetable stand. She obeyed the "Blue Laws" against commerce on Sundays. Jennie Van Der Aa remembers the invention of the automobile, electric lights, and the telephone — she was around! Through it all, she's remained a South Holland citizen for 95 of her 105 years.

At the age of 90 she was still driving — mainly because her lady friends needed someone who still had a license to chauffeur them around! But at 92 she decided to turn in her keys and give up the car. Five years later she gave up housework too, when her family hired a caregiver to come in once or twice a week to help out. Finally at the age of 103, Jennie made the move to Providence, where this past January more than 80 people gathered to wish her a Happy 105th Birthday.

"It has been an honor and privilege getting to know Jennie and her family," says Michelle Lagestee, one of the Providence nursing staff in South Holland. "She is an excellent example of the great lives we get to serve."

As someone who has personally witnessed God's providence for more than 100 years, Jennie distills her wisdom into this simple advice: "Eat good food. Get your sleep. Trust the Lord." What a gem! Providence Rehabiliation of South Holland is honored to be a part of Jennie's life and beautiful story.