After living 114 years, Elizabeth Francis still loves meeting new people — a personality trait linked with enjoying a long life. She greets a reporter calling her on the phone with an enthusiastic, “Good morning, how are you?” When asked how she feels at 114 and what her secret to longevity is, the great-great-grandmother credits a higher power. “It’s not my secret. It’s the good Lord’s good blessing,” Francis, who lives in Houston, Texas, tells TODAY.com. “I just thank God I’m here.” Longevity runs in Francis’ family: One of her sisters lived to be 106, another sister made it to 95, and their father died at 99, says Ethel Harrison, Francis’ granddaughter. Francis lives with her 94-year-old daughter, Dorothy Williams, in a private residence. It’s not an assisted living facility, but caregivers come to the home every day, says Harrison, who visits both women most days of the week. The supercentenarian always had a little garden in her backyard where she grew her own vegetables, including collard greens, mustard greens, carrots and okra. She’d bring the produce right into the house and cook it, her granddaughter recalls. “She always cooked at home. … I just think she enjoyed cooking,” Harrison says. “I don’t ever remember her going to a fast food (restaurant).” Chicken was often on the menu, as was okra with rice. “I cooked everything. If they’ll eat it, I’ll cook it,” Francis says. Texas woman, 114, has simple tips for long life and 1 personality trait for longevity (msn.com)
Fantastic! Keep it up Elizabeth! I've always wondered why folks are always asking about a secret? Be it health, long life, long marriage, etc. Methinks there are no secrets to these things.
