Meet A Centenarian

I think it's fun to think about making it to 100 years old. (If you didn't have to worry about the money running out) I've never met a centenarian. Life expectancy in the United States has continually been on the increase with the advance of medicine and healthier lifestyles. In conjunction with this increase, the number of individuals 100 years old or greater, or centenarians, has also increased. According to the US Census Bureau:
In 2000, there were 50,454 centenarians in the United States, or 1 per 5,578 people, or roughly 18 per 100,000
In 1990, there were 37,306 centenarians in the United States. or 1 per 6,667 people, or roughly 15 per 100,000
When Forrest Wilson turned 100 years old last May, people asked how he has remained in such good shape. He said, “Living a good clean life, being a Baptist, and being a Republican.”
His advice for a long and happy life is “have a sense of humor” and “make friends.” “It’s easier to smile and make friends,” he says, “than it is to be a grouch.” Mr. Wilson smiles at everyone he sees in the Lois E. Harrill Senior Center in Boone, NC, especially pretty women, and it’s a frisky smile that sometimes seems to hide a secret or a sweet memory. He’s a regular at the senior center lunches, driving his Ford Tempo GL down from his Boone Mountain house off Highway 421 near Vilas after tending to his animals or other chores. He’s up at about 7 each morning and generally makes himself breakfast: grits or instant oatmeal, one cup of coffee, and two or three times a week he makes three eggs, sausage or bacon, and buttered toast with grape jelly or honey. His diet must suit him. He says the only time he’s been in a hospital was to visit. The only medication he takes is a half an aspirin per day. He grew up in Watauga County before electricity reached there and people got around by horse and wagon. Even after working with Blue Ridge Electric for 25 years–from 1946 to 1971–he jokes that he’s still not entirely accustomed to electric lights.
If I live to be 100, I would have to have at least 3 more knee replacements if they last 15 years each. Looking at it that way doesn't make it seem so fun.