Exploring the Longevity Secrets of My Centenarian Family
My great grandmother died when I was 30 years of age. She was 96 years old. Her second husband outlived her and was over 100 years of age when he died. Her first husband, my great grandfather died in an automobile accident. However, I knew his three brothers. Two of them attended my great grandmother’s funeral. They walked to the church which was about two miles from their home. One of them walked with a cane.
That was the thing I remember most about them, my great uncles. They walked every evening to my great grandmother’s house if she was home. They walked at a brisk pace, too. She and her second husband lived in separate houses and would trade nights living at each other’s house. They would walk to each other’s house or would catch the school bus in the afternoon if it was raining.
Why did they live such long lives?
1. First they were farmers. They grew most of their own food and raised chickens, hogs, and cows. She would arise early in the morning and work until 10:30 and go back later in the evening when it was not so hot. Sometimes I would go out with her and pick peas. I only did this because I would not have to shell those peas which was a task I hated. I remember imitating bull fighting with her cows. The one in the barn ignored us. She cautioned us about messing with the bull in the open pen. Being kids that we were, we ignored her advice!
2. They were all lean and fit. My great grandmother wore a pink dress with a pillbox flowered hat to social activities. She would complement herself on her waistline and the trimness of her figure. Her husband and brother in-laws had lean and wiry bodies.
3. They had social activities. They sat on the porch in rocking chairs or those straight-back cowhide seat chairs in the late evening. I remember people would slowing down in their cars to speak and my great grandmother would holler “Get out and come in!” They also attended church activities.
4. They went to bed with the chickens and arose when those blasted roosters crowed.
I also believe that genetics play a role; however, lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, and habits like not smoking and drinking also contribute to longevity. Interestingly, my grandmother dipped snuff. Let me tell you this, that snuff was hot, burnt the devil out of my tongue!
