• Japan continues to break records of centenarian citizens with more than 86,500

Neither two glasses of wine a day, nor seven pieces of fruit a week, nor practice sports regularly. The secret to living many, many years is "not to take things badly." It's simple as it is. And we are not told by an eminence of medicine. Who assures us is Gabriela Domínguez Andrés, the oldest woman in the Community of Madrid. And how can you not believe it if you have reached 108 years old!

She fulfilled them on September 1 and celebrated it at the residence where she lives, surrounded by her three daughters, five grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, workers and residents. A few months earlier, one of his sisters had died at 104 and another, in 2015, after celebrating 98.

That the three have become centenarians makes us think that this longevity thing is in their blood. But it is unlikely because they were orphaned when they were very young. An illness took away his father and a few years later, an accident to his mother.

Gabriela was the oldest and was only eight years old when her father died. Still, he remembers the day as if it were yesterday. He also has engraved in his memory the moment when his mother, dying, asked him to take care of his sisters. "He ordered them from me. They were both with me until they got married," she says.

His advanced age barely allows him to move and he moves in a tilting chair. But it is enough to chat with her for a few seconds to realize that she has not lost cognitive abilities. He has a memory that many young people would like most and an extraordinary attention span and language for his age.

Gabriela Domínguez Andrés, with 19 years.E.M.

From Salamanca to Madrid

He remembers everything. He talks about the Carmelitas neighborhood of Salamanca, where he was born and raised, as if he were there. It narrates in detail the moment in which it was surprised by the bombings of the Civil War, in the Plaza Mayor of Salamanca. She moves in a few seconds to the day she met her husband and does not forget when her grandmother encouraged her to move to Madrid with only 17 years, "to prepare me better," she says.

And he did. A short time later, at 23, she married the young soldier César Sánchez and began a new life with him and their three daughters, who were born very early. Her husband's profession made them live in North Africa, Burgos and Segovia.

He remembers each of his houses, but with special affection the villa they bought in Ávila and how beautiful he left it. "I never worked. I have always been a housewife, but I took care of everything; I painted, decorated... I did everything to my liking. I also sewed and made dresses for my girls," she says while pointing to her blouse and explaining that it is also her design.

In the mountains of Avila, Gabriela Domínguez Andrés confesses that she has spent very beautiful moments with all her grandchildren and best friends. "The little ones grew up with me in the chalet and enjoyed it very much. To my friends, that house was their home. I called it 'the refuge of widows'. They were running out of husbands, they were going there and they were happy. Now they are all missing," he says sadly but smiling.

This 108-year-old woman confesses that she has never lived badly. "My father worked at the Treasury and, when he died, my mother was left with a pension," he recalls.

Once married, she also struggled and was able to afford help at home. "I had several girls. I especially remember one that I discovered taking away two pesetas. He confessed to me that he took them to buy sandwiches for his brother. I didn't blame her and asked her to take what she needed from the fridge. Despite that, she turned out to be the best girl I've ever had," he says.

Gabriela has always been happy sharing. His fondest memory goes back to when he helped nuns find homes for 25 orphaned children. "I was happy. I really like children. I have enjoyed a lot with my grandchildren. With my daughters I was bossy, but I took away all evil," she laughs.

Gabriela, with two of her grandchildren, in her villa in Ávila, which she called 'the refuge of widows'.

Her limited mobility no longer allows it, but before this centenarian woman did not hesitate to lend a hand to the workers of the center where she lives and to the residents. "When I could, I took care of everyone and helped them. With one who had a very bad temper I got along so well that her relatives told me that I had tamed her," he laughs. In addition, she speaks with great affection of her friend Agustina and the late Rosario, who did not want to see her daughter because she said that with Gabriela she had enough. "I consider myself very friendly with my friends and generous. I share with them the cheeses and cookies that my grandson brings me."

In addition to giving and "compliant" -as she is also defined-, the centenarian is very flirtatious. She is proud of her complexion which, surprisingly, has only one spot on her right cheek. He confesses that the secret is a facial cream that has been used since he was 14 years old. "My grandmother was very modern and I went with her to Portugal to buy it, because it was cheaper there. For two years I couldn't kick it out because they closed the factory. I tried many brands, but I got spots. Finally, I have it again thanks to a grandson of mine, who located it. Everyone comments on how I have the skin and I explain how to rub the cream on the skin so as not to leave it oily. You have to do it with circular movements. I'm thinking of giving it all over my body," she explains amused.

Gabriela Domínguez Andrés has reached the age of 108 with hardly any visits to hospitals. He only had to go the times he had surgery on his digestive system and hip, and when his right kidney was removed by mistake. This happened when I was 26 years old. "It was medical malpractice. A doctor told me about it and, in addition, asked me for money. Finally, another one removed it at the military hospital. After the intervention he told me that my kidney was fine. In the medical part I did not put my name, but that of Rosario Carvajal ...", he says.

Your life in residence

When she turned 100, the centenarian chose to move to the Amavir Pozuelo residence. It was her own decision because, as her grandson David comments, "she has been and continues to be an independent and determined person."

The director of this center, Ana Nicolás Martínez, does not hesitate to confirm that Gabriela has a very good attitude and "is fantastic". For several years she has been following a routine that she has chosen herself. She wakes up at 8 a.m. and is picked up at 15 p.m. Until then, and depending on the day, the physiotherapists, occupational therapists, cheerleader and psychologist do the sessions in your room. After eating, Gabriela likes to spend some time in the living room, where she chats with the residents and shares sweets or fruit brought to her by relatives. It is at this time that we can see how she has always been the oldest woman in the Community; A person who likes to take care of and give everything he has to others.

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

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