Photo provided by Valparaiso University
Connie Bretscher, center, (with her son and daughter-in-law) is a regular at Valparaiso University men’s basketball games. In January, they recognized her over the PA for her 103rd birthday.
Article by Ashley Wiehe
Director of Communications
Constance "Connie" Bretscher lives each day to spread her joy in Christ - all 103 years of them.
Bretscher is an author for Worship Anew's Hope-Full Living devotional. She has been writing for the publication for eight years, but writing has been a lifelong passion.
She graduated with a degree in journalism from Valparaiso University and has been writing ever since, including for her church’s paper. When she was approached about writing for Hope-Full Living, it was an opportunity to share the joy that she knows in Christ to even more people.
“My inspiration is simply that I want to spread my joy in Christ,” Bretscher said. “I’m glad to do it now because I have things to say. I have a joy in my life that I want to share.”
Bretscher grew up in southern Illinois and now lives in Valparaiso, Ind., where she stayed following college. She is an avid writer and pianist. She loves to exercise, and cheers on the Valparaiso Beacons whenever she has the opportunity.
“I’m thankful for what He lets me do, and I don’t cry in the corner for what I can’t do,” she said. “I have a thing on my fridge that says ‘Never, never stop moving.’”
Twelve years ago, Bretscher was diagnosed with macular degeneration. Since that time, her eyesight is not what it used to be. Writing is a struggle, but she can do it, and she can only play music on the piano that she knows from memory. And yet, she does not get discouraged and leads her life, knowing that God has a plan for her.
“He is leading me on,” she said. “It’s just what God has put in front of me to do.”
On January 21, Bretscher celebrated her 103rd birthday. She went to a Valparaiso basketball game and saw friends and family who brought by flowers and candy. For her, it was just like any other birthday.
“I’m amazed at how people look at this as a huge thing,” she laughed. “I felt like it was a normal birthday.”
Bretscher lives alone in her own house with the help of her son and daughter-in-law who live nearby, and as she says, “people that God sends to help me.” She attends as many Valparaiso basketball games as she can. Even though she can no longer see the numbers of the players on the jerseys, her family is there to help her enjoy the game.
“I’m active at the basketball games. I sit way up in the bleachers. I don’t sit in the chair backs. Those are for old people,” she chuckled. “I’m close to the players. They are kind of my guys.”
Day by day, she is not complaining, but living her best life. She helps others, not only through Hope-Full Living devotionals, but also through those who just need to talk. For her, it’s a consistent calling—spreading the joy that she has in Christ.
As she writes in her Hope-Full Living devotion this month, “With new aches or pains or fading vision and memory that may come to us with the advancing years, we can say, nevertheless, I can walk with my hand in your powerful hand through whatever may come, with joy, knowing your love supports me, and my years are in your hand.”
“I have a joy in my life that I want to share.”
~ Connie Bretscher
Hope-Full Living Author