My Father celebrated his 100th birthday last week and I have been reflecting on how he has reached such a grand old age!

His life, of course, has not been without it's fair share of troubles - like everyones has. As a boy he lived through the 1st World War, the depression and then was a soldier in the 2nd World War, until he was injured in Normandy in 1944. My Mum died of Motor Neurone Disease in 1972 and Dad has never stopped missing her. He has also had a serious illness and had to have a replacement hip following a fall.

So just what is it that has helped him to keep going? If I were to sum it up in one word, that word would be "FAITH". Although not a church-goer, Dad has always had a strong faith in God and never fails to start and end his day with prayer and thanks for all that is good in his life.

Is this the key to a long and happy life?