My 81-year-old grandma is still in remarkable health. She says not chasing traditional success is the key to her longevity.

"Last New Year's Eve, I was in my pajamas, getting ready to watch the ball drop, when I got a call from my 80-year-old Nana. She wanted all her grandchildren and great-grandchildren to come to her house to celebrate. My grandmother has seven children, numerous grandchildren, and even more great-grandchildren. I was shocked that she wanted them all to come, but we obliged and took them over. That moment summed her up perfectly: full of life, spontaneity, and joy."

"She was born in Jamaica, where she had her first two children. She later moved to England to create a better life for her family and had three more kids. She then moved from England to the US and had two more. When she came to America, she had to rebuild a community from scratch. She found it through her church family. She learned American traditions, adapted to them, and thrived."

An 81-year-old grandmother credits longevity to family, community, and lifestyle choices. She was born in Jamaica, moved to England and later to the United States, building a large family with seven children, many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She rebuilt community in America through her church, embraced American traditions, and values being surrounded by people. She maintains a busy life—gardening, socializing, and attending appointments—and emphasizes mental engagement: "Your mind will keep working if you keep working it." She prioritizes vitamins, organic food when possible, daily walks, morning prayer, breakfast, and garden meditation, and values emotional and mental balance over physical health alone.

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