At 105 years old, Blynda Vidock has lived through more than a century of history. But when asked what has kept her going all these years, the Texas woman points first to God.

“The good Lord put me here for so many years, and it’s His life through me,” Vidock told FOX 26 Houston during a recent birthday celebration.

The Baytown resident also credits an active lifestyle, healthy eating and good genes for helping her reach the remarkable milestone.

“I’ve always been very athletic, played tennis, swam all my life and ate good food,” she said.

Born in 1921, Vidock grew up in West Palm Beach, Florida, and has collected plenty of stories over the past century. While earning $15 a week working at a bank, she crossed paths with Hollywood legends Clark Gable and Fred Astaire and recalled encountering a young John F. Kennedy.

Her life took another turn during World War II, when she volunteered with the USO and met Coast Guardsman Charles “Chuck” Vidock. The couple married and moved to Texas in 1946, later traveling the world together.

More than a century after her birth, Vidock remains independent and mentally sharp. Video from her birthday celebration showed her walking around, laughing and talking with the friends and relatives who gathered to mark the occasion.

“It’s wonderful to have you people here, and I don’t know if I’m supposed to dance or sing or get up on the table,” she joked. “I think I’ve been made queen for a day, and I’ve got my 15 minutes of fame, so you better enjoy it because it won’t come again.”

Behind her sense of humor is a deep gratitude for each day God has given her.

Vidock said that when she wakes up in the morning, she asks, “This is another day, Lord, why am I here?”

“Every day is a blessing!” she added.

She also credits God for allowing her to maintain her mental sharpness, noting that one of the hardest parts of growing older is watching others lose theirs.

When it comes to practical advice, Vidock’s formula is refreshingly simple: take care of yourself, treat others well and don’t overdo things.

“Living like you know you’re supposed to live, being kind to people, and everything in moderation helped, and I got blessed with good genes, but then I took care of my body,” she said.

Her habits also line up with much of what longevity experts recommend. Regular exercise, nutritious foods, quality sleep, strong relationships and managing stress have all been linked to healthier aging. Experts also point to the importance of maintaining a positive outlook and a sense of independence as people grow older.

Vidock remembers a slower way of life, when families were more likely to gather around the table.

“We live faster nowadays,” she said. “We used to have time to sit down and have a meal together.”

And while science may offer many explanations for healthy aging, Vidock’s perspective, after 105 years, remains rooted in something deeper. Good genes and good habits may have helped, but she sees every new morning as a gift from God.

For Vidock, the lesson of 105 years can be summed up in five words: “Every day is a blessing!”