Twins Mark Their 100th Birthday and Prove Life’s Simple Joys Can Go a Long Way

Twins mark their 100th birthday and prove life’s simple joys can go a long way. And after a century of living, Jane Southwick and Bill Abbott have learned something worth hearing: a long life is built less on secrets and more on how you spend the ordinary days God gives you.

Jane and Bill entered the world together on April 8, 1926, in Hawaii, although nobody knew Bill was coming.

“They had no idea Bill was in there,” Jane said. After she was born, everyone realized, “Wait. There’s another [baby].”

A month later, the twins sailed for New York, sleeping in cabin drawers used as makeshift cribs. Can you imagine what that would’ve been like, traveling with newborn twins? But that was the beginning of 100 years filled with history most of us have only read about.

Twins Celebrate Their 100th Birthday Together

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Bill served aboard the USS California during World War II and later flew patrol planes in the Navy Reserve for 30 years. Jane became a nursery school teacher, married the man who made her think “Wow!” the first time she saw him, and raised five children.

And they kept living through the ups and downs of life:Through cancer. A heart attack. Pulmonary problems. The deaths of spouses. The death of Jane’s son Mark while their older brother, Richard, nearly reached the same incredible milestone, dying last year just one month shy of his 103rd birthday. Their parents both lived into their 90s.

Family Has Been at the Heart of Their Long Lives

So what does a family like this know about growing old? Perhaps more than any supplement aisle could tell us. They stayed active. They took their health seriously. But woven through their story is something harder to measure: family.

“One of the nice things about having parents living so long is that we were able to spend a lot of time together,” Jane said. “We were able to share a lot of family stories.”

They traveled together, too. Alaska. Hawaii. Italy. The Grand Canyon, where they even climbed into a helicopter. And they laughed. A Lot, every chance they could. 

At 100, Bill still jokes about stealing Jane’s daughter Nancy, who helps him with appointments and shopping. Jane keeps the ashes of her husband and son nearby, waiting for the day they will all be laid to rest together.

“But that’s not going to be for a few years,” she said with a grin. Maybe that is the loveliest part. After 100 years of births and funerals, wars and weddings, sickness and ordinary Tuesdays, Jane and Bill haven't lost their delight in being here.

Their Story Is a Reminder to Treasure Every Day

“We’re still kids,” they said. And you can tell by the grin on their faces, they really do think so. Perhaps longevity is partly genetics, or maybe it really is all about movement and medicine and taking care of the body God gave you. But a life cannot be measured by years alone.

Jane and Bill’s story reminds us to fill those years with people. Take the trip. Tell the old family stories again. Laugh when you can. Love people while they are still sitting beside you. Because reaching 100 is extraordinary, especially with a sibling by your side!

But having people you still want by your side when you get there? That might be the greater gift.

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“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12

Twins Mark Their 100th Birthday and Prove Life’s Simple Joys Can Go a Long Way 

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h/t: People

Featured Image Credit: Facebook/PEOPLE

Heather Riggleman is a believer, wife, mom, author, social media consultant, and full-time writer. She lives in Minden, Nebraska with her kids, high school sweetheart, and three cats who are her entourage around the homestead. She is a former award-winning journalist with over 2,000 articles published. She is full of grace and grit, raw honesty, and truly believes tacos can solve just about any situation. You can find her on GodUpdates, iBelieve, Crosswalk, Hello Darling, Focus On The Family, and in Brio Magazine. Connect with her at www.HeatherRiggleman.com or on Facebook.