For Moose Jaw’s Carolyn Wood – who became a centenarian on Sept. 19 – the biggest difference is one she sees around her all the time.
“Everyone has grown up, I remember when everyone was little, now they’ve all grown up and I’ve shrunk,” Wood joked during a party to celebrate her 100th birthday at Moose Jaw Extendicare on Saturday afternoon.
Which is what will happen when you’ve lived long enough that the armistice that ended the First World War was barely even a year old when you came into the world.
Wood was born in the Glen Elder region near Preeceville and grew up on a farm near Mazenod before moving to Winnipeg, where she met her future husband, Charles. Saskatchewan came calling once again shortly after and with the Second World War at its height in 1944, the young family moved to Moose Jaw.
It was here Carolyn and Chuck raised their six kids, which turned into no less that 33 grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
Wood doesn’t have a secret to her longevity, but one thing is certain – a life well lived can lead to a long life and even success as you approach your second century.
Take Carolyn for example: even at 93 she was still square dancing and more recently even won a card game at Extendicare.
“I still like to have fun even though I can’t dance anymore,” Wood said.
Much of her family was on hand Saturday to celebrate her birthday, with the party drawing over 50 people throughout the day as relatives and well-wishers stopped by to say hello and enjoy some cake.
And yes, there were even some little ones around, who Carolyn couldn’t help but point out.
“See, everyone was small like them one time,” she said. “When I was working I saved money to put all my kids through school, now they’re all grown and everyone is so tall.”
