Are you, or do you know someone who is eighty-plus years old?  These folks are our elders. Elders have reached the age where they are wise, worldly, wonderful, and sometimes a bit wacky. And, oh my, do they have stories to tell.

A good place to start is by asking, “What is your secret for a long and happy life?” 

The following secrets from the verified ten-oldest people ever prompt stories:

The oldest-documented human is Jeanne Louise Calment. Jeanne lived in France for 122 years and 164 days. She took up fencing when she was 85, rode her bike and roller skated until she was 100, smoked until she was 117, became a recording artist when she was 120, and ate over two pounds of chocolate a week until the day she died. She was quoted as saying, “If you can’t do anything about it, don’t worry about it.” Jeanne’s secret: Maintain tranquility and a sense of humor.

Sarah Knauss lived in the United States until she was 119.  When a reporter told Sarah she was the oldest of seven  generations in  her family and THE oldest person alive, she said, “So what!” Sarah’s secret: Don’t let little things upset you.

Marie-Louise Febronie Meilleur lived in Canada until she was 117. Out of her twelve children, only four survived her. Marie-Louie’s secret: Hard work could never kill a person.

Nabi Tajima lived in Japan until she was 117. Her living descendants numbered over 140. Nabi’s secret: Eat delicious things.

Violet Brown lived in Jamaica until she was 117. Violet worked on a sugar plantation, served as a maid, was Queen Victoria’s last living subject, and eventually opened a bread shop. Violet’s secret: Eat plenty of fruit, an occasional cow’s foot, and work to help yourself.

Emma Morano lived in Italy until she was 117. She ate two raw eggs and one cooked egg every day, avoided meat, and loved cookies. Emma’s secret: Don’t get married, and go to bed early.

Misao Okawa lived in Japan until she was 117. She outlived her husband by 84 years. On her 117th birthday she said that her life seemed short. Misao’s secret: Eat sushi and sleep well.

Maria Capovilla lived in Ecuador until she was 116. She was a member of upper-class society, famous for fanning herself with a fine fan, and loved to read the newspaper. When she was 100, the priest gave her last rites, but she lived another 16 years. Maria’s secret: Tranquility—Don’t get upset by anything.

Susannah Mushatt Jones lived in New York City until she was 116. Her grandparents were slaves and her parents were sharecroppers. As a child and young woman Susannah worked in the fields. But she was determined to make a better life for herself, so she graduated from Tuskegee Institute, became a teacher, and used some of her salary to establish the Calhoun Club, which provided college scholarships for African-American students. She never smoked or drank, but she did eat four strips of bacon, scrambled eggs, and grits every morning for breakfast. Susannah’s secret: Family makes you happy.

What is YOUR secret for a long and happy life?

Tell the story.