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OREM — Miracles and surprises sometimes go hand in hand. That's the case with six-month-old George Elton.
"I was told by the doctor I would never have kids," said his mother, Waihana Elton, who goes by Hana. She and her husband, Gary, are live-in managers at the Seville senior living center in Orem, where little George is now doted on by the 104 residents.
"All of these people here are his grandparents," Gary said, looking over the Seville's crowded communal dining room during lunch on Monday.
"Prince George," as the residents call him, gets hugs, kisses and rides on walkers.
"It's such a surprise to have a baby around," said Seville resident Martha Cook, who at 93 is six years shy of being the center's oldest resident. "She's so happy to have that baby," she said of Hana. "Everybody here is so happy to have that baby."
Hana, a native of Samoa, saw her 40th birthday come and go before finding out a baby was on the way. But the news may have been a bigger surprise for Gary, who at 76, has two daughters and six sons from another marriage and is already a grandfather and great-grandfather.
It's such a surprise to have a baby around. She's so happy to have that baby. Everybody here is so happy to have that baby.
–Martha Cook
"We never dreamed this would happened to us," Gary said. "I'm still getting used to it. The other night I was holding him on my lap and I was thinking something like 'I wonder when his parents are going to come pick him up.' It's a touching thing, but a lot of work too."
The Seville residents didn't know when they dubbed their youngest resident "Prince George" that he has a distinguished tribal lineage.
Gary said Hana's mother was the chief in their home village of Tafatafa in Samoa until she died two Decembers ago, passing the title to Hana. Not having any children left the new chief without an heir, but that has now changed.
The Eltons are traveling to Samoa next month to introduce little George to the family. "When we go we fully expect a big group waiting for us," Gary said.
"It's a blessing for me and for my family as well," Hana said.
Adding George to the lineup in Gary's family also meant his son Andrew shed his position as baby of the family at age 33.
"One of his brothers sent him an email saying 'Now you'll have to give up your coat of many colors,'" Gary said.
"Who wouldn't want a baby brother?" Andrew said, bouncing baby George in his arms. He said the new addition to the family was "a little surreal" at first, but he and his brothers plan to have a big role in George's life. "I think he's the coolest little guy."
Email: sfidel@ksl.com
