• Mira Armstrong, 92, still lives independently in the house she built with her husband. • She makes sure to stay social and active, and eats a balanced diet with little red meat. • After the loss of her husband and one of her sons, she turned to her faith for comfort.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Mira Armstrong, a 92-year-old from Porepunkah, Australia. It has been edited for length and clarity.

I built my home with my husband, Bruce, in 1956. Now that I'm 92 years old, I still live independently. I hope I croak it here.

I was born in Poland in 1933 during the Depression. My father was a shoemaker and in the army reserve. When World War II broke out, he was taken prisoner and sent to Germany. My mother, siblings, and I followed.

I got a rough start to life

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