WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — It's not every day someone reaches their 100th birthday, but for Leapling Esther Gibson from Wilkes-Barre, It's just one of 25 times she's been able to commemorate her birthday.
Gibson says she never thought she'd make it this long and still get along as well as she does.
"The last time I been sick in bed was way back in '64. You know I can still get around. I have a can to walk with, of course, but my health. You know, I'm healthy," said Gibson.
She says the food was just better and fresher when she was younger, and she made sure to live an active life. Gibson tells us she loved dancing in her younger days and could sometimes be found dancing in New York when she traveled to see her uncle, jazz trombonist J. C. Higginbotham's band perform in New York City.
"I Just did my dancing and ran my mouth," added Gibson.
Other than dancing, Gibson says her belief in god, prayer, and a strong family foundation played a big role in her longevity. She also credits her long friendships as well. She became pen pals with a woman from the Phillippines whom she met at a Jehovah's Witness convention in Hawaii. They've kept in touch since the 1950s through letters.
"We just talk about what's happening there, and I talk about what's happening here and as witnesses what we do when we're out in our witness circle, how we talk to people about the bible and talk about our health," said Gibson.
Gibson's son, Clifford, says some things may deteriorate as you get older, but his mother's mind isn't one of them.
"There's nothing wrong with her mind. And she can remember things just in an instance. You tell her something, it's there. That's one thing," said Gibson Jr.
Gibson says she'll spend the rest of her birthday with family... She also plans to reach out to one of her best friends, who also just happened to turn 100 last month.
Best friends who lived to one hundred together. They must be doing something right!