Can you imagine living for 117 years?
By Marie Coyle
@MarieCoyle (61860)
August 24, 2026 12:18am CST
Usually if I don't watch the nightly news (I didn't today) I read an online news page to see what's up. I like the people stories the best--when people do good things for someone they don't know, when someone finds a long lost friend or family member--you know, happy stuff. This story about a woman turning 117 years old caught my eye this evening. She is currently the world's oldest person.
She lives in Surrey, and was born a Brit.
She survived two world wars, the Titanic sinking, many other wars and conflicts, and survived Covid-19 at age 110.
Amazingly, she also has her memories and can converse, etc. I cannot even begin to imagine all she has seen in her lifetime.
I do hope to live a long life and enjoy my family and my friends. I can't even imagine living 117 years, can you?
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/world-s-oldest-person-ethel-caterham-celebrates-117th-birthday/ar-AA2aEeUU?cvid=6a8bd16c5ec14e3ba3bd9d547b5442f3&ocid=edgntpruby&pc=U531&uxmode=ruby&ei=25
17 people like this
17 responses
@MarieCoyle (61860)
•
15h
I thought the fact she still has her memories was wonderful, too.
3 people like this
@AmbiePam (125383)
• United States
14h
I’m thrilled her mind is intact. She should be celebrated. @MarieCoyle
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (61860)
•
14h
I think I just thought the article was rather fascinating since she apparently is still blessed with her memories. I know none of us expect to live nearly that long, this is just really unusual.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (61860)
•
3h
@AmbiePam
Very few people even make it to 90. I would be sad to outlive my children, though.
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (211892)
• United States
7h
I can't at all. Although I suspect I will lead a relatively long life, it isn't going to be until 117 I know that. I am sure she had some amazing stories to tell.
2 people like this
@Marilynda1225 (91870)
• United States
6h
that's remarkable that she's 117 and still has her memories. I'd be happy to live that long if I had all my memories and still had a good quality of life.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (61860)
•
14h
I don’t think most people want to outlive not only a spouse but their children. That would be the hardest thing ever.
2 people like this
@MarieCoyle (61860)
•
15h
From what she said in the article she doesn’t seem to be depressed.
1 person likes this
@Juliaacv (57172)
• Canada
11h
That is amazing, but I cannot think of anyone who would wish for that.
I remember when my grandfather passed away at 96 years, he still drove, and had all of his mind and was very sensible but he explained to me that he outlived all of his family, his in-laws, his farming neighbours, friends from church and so on, then he moved and made new friends and met new neighbours, and he outlived many of them. He told me that he was lonely for someone his own age.
@wolfgirl569 (139508)
• Marion, Ohio
7h
She has had a wonderfully long life. Glad she still has her mind to enjoy it
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (100044)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
Just now
Sorry despite being blessed with no diseases and taking no meds and having the Lord watchg ove mer I can hardly imagine the next five.
