1 00:00:38,001 --> 00:00:41,440 Speaker 1: Hey friends, it's Kelly from Life Audio. We just launched 2 00:00:41,501 --> 00:00:45,181 Speaker 1: something new. It's called The Good Word, our free weekly 3 00:00:45,241 --> 00:00:48,120 Speaker 1: newsletter built for people who want to go a little 4 00:00:48,161 --> 00:00:54,011 Speaker 1: deeper in their faith. Think devotionals, guided prayers, curated podcast recommendations, 5 00:00:54,191 --> 00:00:57,311 Speaker 1: and a little community all in one place. No ads, 6 00:00:57,651 --> 00:01:00,091 Speaker 1: just good content. This one means a lot to us. 7 00:01:00,491 --> 00:01:03,271 Speaker 1: We built The Good Word based on the audience survey 8 00:01:03,491 --> 00:01:05,671 Speaker 1: so many of you filled out a few months back. 9 00:01:05,991 --> 00:01:08,571 Speaker 1: You told us what you wanted and we listened. So 10 00:01:08,611 --> 00:01:11,550 Speaker 1: thank you truly for helping us shape this. Head to 11 00:01:11,571 --> 00:01:14,180 Speaker 1: the link in the show notes and join our community today. 12 00:01:14,481 --> 00:01:15,441 Speaker 1: We'd love to have you. 13 00:01:18,461 --> 00:01:25,420 Speaker 2: Life Audio. Welcome back, friends, loyal listeners, and welcome any 14 00:01:25,501 --> 00:01:34,241 Speaker 2: newcomers to Story Behind Podcasts. Inspiring stories, positive headlines brought 15 00:01:34,261 --> 00:01:37,861 Speaker 2: to you from GodTube.com, where you can watch without worry, 16 00:01:38,481 --> 00:01:44,451 Speaker 2: and LifeAudio.com, where we have a major selection of faith-based 17 00:01:45,031 --> 00:01:49,091 Speaker 2: Christian podcasts, all to help you in your walk with 18 00:01:49,191 --> 00:01:52,231 Speaker 2: the Lord. And today, I want to ask you to 19 00:01:52,291 --> 00:01:56,461 Speaker 2: think about how long do you think that walk will 20 00:01:56,521 --> 00:02:02,021 Speaker 2: go on? Psalm 90 famously says, the years of a 21 00:02:02,061 --> 00:02:05,581 Speaker 2: man are 70 by reason of strength 80. But we 22 00:02:05,641 --> 00:02:09,211 Speaker 2: might be blessed to go even beyond that in our walk. 23 00:02:09,271 --> 00:02:13,370 Speaker 2: We aren't guaranteed anything here, of course. This is a 24 00:02:13,430 --> 00:02:16,590 Speaker 2: harsh place to live, and we are fragile, and we 25 00:02:16,631 --> 00:02:19,911 Speaker 2: need to remember that as we interact with each other, 26 00:02:19,951 --> 00:02:23,571 Speaker 2: that everyone is going through something that we can't imagine. 27 00:02:24,370 --> 00:02:28,511 Speaker 2: But for those of us who find ourselves going longer 28 00:02:28,831 --> 00:02:32,921 Speaker 2: into life, and remember that That involves losing a lot 29 00:02:32,961 --> 00:02:35,870 Speaker 2: of things, a lot of relatives and friends along the way. 30 00:02:36,171 --> 00:02:38,891 Speaker 2: But how old is too old where we can no 31 00:02:38,971 --> 00:02:41,531 Speaker 2: longer do anything, where we can say, well, I guess 32 00:02:41,591 --> 00:02:44,831 Speaker 2: I'll never do that again? I've got a couple stories 33 00:02:44,891 --> 00:02:47,791 Speaker 2: picked out for you today that will challenge our notions 34 00:02:48,111 --> 00:02:51,631 Speaker 2: of when too old is too old to do anything. 35 00:02:51,891 --> 00:02:53,851 Speaker 2: And I'll be back with those in just a second. 36 00:03:01,691 --> 00:03:04,871 Speaker 2: All right, let's get into it with our first story today. 37 00:03:05,451 --> 00:03:09,391 Speaker 2: About a 97, you heard that right, year old woman 38 00:03:10,951 --> 00:03:16,231 Speaker 2: who proves that can't isn't in her vocabulary because she 39 00:03:16,270 --> 00:03:20,301 Speaker 2: just took a record breaking wing walk. And if you 40 00:03:20,321 --> 00:03:24,801 Speaker 2: don't know what a wing walk is, stay tuned. This 41 00:03:24,841 --> 00:03:28,041 Speaker 2: story is by Heather Riggleman, read by me, your host, 42 00:03:28,561 --> 00:03:34,101 Speaker 2: Sean McAvoy. I want to be Betty Bromage when I 43 00:03:34,361 --> 00:03:39,091 Speaker 2: am 97. And after hearing about what she did, you 44 00:03:39,131 --> 00:03:43,291 Speaker 2: like to? You may not necessarily want to be strapped 45 00:03:43,411 --> 00:03:45,691 Speaker 2: to the wing of an airplane as it loops through 46 00:03:45,731 --> 00:03:49,271 Speaker 2: the sky, although I have learned never to say never. 47 00:03:50,391 --> 00:03:55,441 Speaker 2: I want her courage. I want her determination. Most of all, 48 00:03:55,661 --> 00:03:58,681 Speaker 2: I want her refusal to believe that growing older means 49 00:03:59,041 --> 00:04:05,911 Speaker 2: means becoming less alive. Betty from Cheltenham, England, began wing walking. 50 00:04:06,171 --> 00:04:10,511 Speaker 2: She began at age 87. So, as the story goes, 51 00:04:11,551 --> 00:04:14,631 Speaker 2: she climbed 15 feet onto the wing of a biplane, 52 00:04:14,911 --> 00:04:18,941 Speaker 2: strapped herself in, and took flight for the sixth time. 53 00:04:20,380 --> 00:04:24,301 Speaker 2: At 97, she broke her own Guinness World Record as 54 00:04:24,361 --> 00:04:29,450 Speaker 2: the oldest female wing walker. I'd just get bored of 55 00:04:29,510 --> 00:04:33,770 Speaker 2: life otherwise, Betty said. I want to do the things 56 00:04:33,951 --> 00:04:39,031 Speaker 2: I can do. Those words are exactly why I love 57 00:04:39,071 --> 00:04:43,960 Speaker 2: getting older. The older generation keeps reminding us that age 58 00:04:44,041 --> 00:04:46,841 Speaker 2: may change our bodies, but it does not have to 59 00:04:46,880 --> 00:04:52,061 Speaker 2: diminish our sense of wonder. We are still allowed to 60 00:04:52,140 --> 00:04:58,010 Speaker 2: dream wildly and discover new versions of ourselves. Betty's latest 61 00:04:58,091 --> 00:05:02,751 Speaker 2: flight carried an even deeper purpose. She raised money for 62 00:05:02,851 --> 00:05:07,251 Speaker 2: Cheltenham General Hospital, where she had received care after suffering 63 00:05:07,291 --> 00:05:12,541 Speaker 2: a stroke in August 2025. The stroke affected some of 64 00:05:12,601 --> 00:05:15,861 Speaker 2: her words, she said, but the rest of me is fine. 65 00:05:17,761 --> 00:05:20,141 Speaker 2: To break the record, Betty needed to remain in the 66 00:05:20,321 --> 00:05:23,200 Speaker 2: air for at least five minutes, including takeoff and landing. 67 00:05:24,531 --> 00:05:27,351 Speaker 2: She did that while the aircraft soared through the sky, 68 00:05:28,201 --> 00:05:34,181 Speaker 2: even completing a loop. Her review afterward? Great. Bit bumpy, 69 00:05:34,481 --> 00:05:40,061 Speaker 2: but it was great, she said. Betty's philosophy is beautifully simple. 70 00:05:41,221 --> 00:05:46,751 Speaker 2: Remove can't from your vocabulary. At 97, what have you 71 00:05:46,791 --> 00:05:50,771 Speaker 2: got to be afraid of, she asked. Maybe the generations 72 00:05:50,811 --> 00:05:54,091 Speaker 2: ahead of us are not showing us how to grow old. 73 00:05:55,061 --> 00:05:58,641 Speaker 2: Maybe they are teaching us how to remain young at heart. 74 00:06:00,181 --> 00:06:03,820 Speaker 2: They are reminding us that courage does not have an 75 00:06:03,921 --> 00:06:09,361 Speaker 2: expiration date, and that we can still become whoever we 76 00:06:09,481 --> 00:06:14,571 Speaker 2: and the Lord decide to be. So, yes, I want 77 00:06:14,611 --> 00:06:18,591 Speaker 2: to be Betty at 97, still chasing the next adventure, 78 00:06:19,411 --> 00:06:22,390 Speaker 2: still doing some good while I'm here, and still looking 79 00:06:22,451 --> 00:06:26,011 Speaker 2: toward the sky as if getting older were never a 80 00:06:26,091 --> 00:06:34,311 Speaker 2: reason to stop flying. It reminds me of Psalm 92, 12-15. 81 00:06:35,651 --> 00:06:38,981 Speaker 2: The righteous will flourish like a palm tree. They will 82 00:06:39,021 --> 00:06:41,821 Speaker 2: grow like a cedar of Lebanon planted in the house 83 00:06:41,861 --> 00:06:44,161 Speaker 2: of the Lord. They will flourish in the courts of 84 00:06:44,241 --> 00:06:48,281 Speaker 2: our God. They will still bear fruit in old age. 85 00:06:48,801 --> 00:06:53,201 Speaker 2: They will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, The Lord is upright. 86 00:06:53,801 --> 00:06:57,491 Speaker 2: He is my rock. and there is no wickedness in him. 87 00:06:59,111 --> 00:07:01,671 Speaker 2: We'll be back in just a moment with our second 88 00:07:01,731 --> 00:07:05,640 Speaker 2: story of inspiration from the older generations, right after this. 89 00:07:14,341 --> 00:07:19,281 Speaker 2: All right, our second story today is very encouraging to me, 90 00:07:19,361 --> 00:07:22,001 Speaker 2: just like our first one was, because as I have 91 00:07:22,081 --> 00:07:25,761 Speaker 2: recently turned 56, I'm starting to think about What are 92 00:07:25,781 --> 00:07:28,441 Speaker 2: my senior years going to look like? And I sure 93 00:07:28,501 --> 00:07:32,261 Speaker 2: hope I remember some of the lessons that we're experiencing 94 00:07:32,301 --> 00:07:36,451 Speaker 2: here today on this episode. Our second story is from 95 00:07:36,811 --> 00:07:41,311 Speaker 2: Heather Riggleman, and it is about twins who marked their 96 00:07:41,831 --> 00:07:47,151 Speaker 2: 100th birthday. Proving life's simple joys can go a long way. 97 00:07:49,071 --> 00:07:53,851 Speaker 2: After a century of living, Jane Southwick and Bill Abbott 98 00:07:53,901 --> 00:07:57,901 Speaker 2: have learned something worth hearing. A long life is built 99 00:07:57,941 --> 00:08:01,261 Speaker 2: less on secrets and more on how you spend the 100 00:08:01,361 --> 00:08:06,001 Speaker 2: ordinary days. God keeps you. Jane and Bill entered the 101 00:08:06,041 --> 00:08:12,091 Speaker 2: world together on April 8, 1926 in Hawaii, although nobody 102 00:08:12,131 --> 00:08:15,991 Speaker 2: knew Bill was coming. They had no idea Bill was 103 00:08:16,051 --> 00:08:21,131 Speaker 2: in there, Jane said. After she was born, everyone realized, wait, 104 00:08:21,791 --> 00:08:27,611 Speaker 2: there's another. A month later, The twins sailed for New York, 105 00:08:28,371 --> 00:08:33,791 Speaker 2: sleeping in cabin drawers used as makeshift cribs. Can you 106 00:08:33,851 --> 00:08:37,731 Speaker 2: imagine what that would have been like? Traveling across the 107 00:08:37,831 --> 00:08:41,501 Speaker 2: ocean with newborn twins? But that was just the beginning 108 00:08:41,661 --> 00:08:45,221 Speaker 2: of 100 years filled with history most of us have 109 00:08:45,261 --> 00:08:50,761 Speaker 2: only read about. Bill served aboard the USS California during 110 00:08:50,800 --> 00:08:54,301 Speaker 2: World War II, and later flew patrol planes in the 111 00:08:54,341 --> 00:08:59,441 Speaker 2: Navy Reserve, for 30 years. Jane became a nursery school teacher, 112 00:09:00,241 --> 00:09:03,161 Speaker 2: married the man who made her think, wow, the first 113 00:09:03,201 --> 00:09:08,121 Speaker 2: time she saw him, and raised five children. And they 114 00:09:08,161 --> 00:09:12,290 Speaker 2: kept living through the ups and downs of life, through cancer, 115 00:09:13,231 --> 00:09:19,031 Speaker 2: a heart attack, pulmonary problems, the deaths of spouses, the 116 00:09:19,071 --> 00:09:23,251 Speaker 2: death of Jane's son Mark, while their older brother Richard 117 00:09:23,881 --> 00:09:28,171 Speaker 2: reached the same incredible milestone dying last year, just one 118 00:09:28,211 --> 00:09:34,271 Speaker 2: month shy of his 103rd birthday. Their parents both lived 119 00:09:34,311 --> 00:09:38,631 Speaker 2: into their 90s. So what does a family like this 120 00:09:38,791 --> 00:09:44,271 Speaker 2: know about growing old? Perhaps more than any supplement aisle 121 00:09:44,331 --> 00:09:49,511 Speaker 2: could tell us. They stayed active. They took their health seriously. 122 00:09:51,061 --> 00:09:54,871 Speaker 2: But woven through their story is something harder to measure. Family. 123 00:09:56,671 --> 00:09:59,030 Speaker 2: One of the nice things about having parents living so 124 00:09:59,071 --> 00:10:01,430 Speaker 2: long is that we were able to spend a lot 125 00:10:01,611 --> 00:10:05,411 Speaker 2: of time together, Jane said. We were able to build 126 00:10:05,551 --> 00:10:10,621 Speaker 2: a lot of family stories. They traveled together to Alaska. 127 00:10:11,601 --> 00:10:12,381 Speaker 2: Back to Hawaii. 128 00:10:13,121 --> 00:10:13,441 Speaker 1: Italy. 129 00:10:14,741 --> 00:10:17,241 Speaker 2: The Grand Canyon, where they even climbed into a helicopter. 130 00:10:17,681 --> 00:10:25,170 Speaker 2: And they laughed. A lot. At 100, Bill still jokes 131 00:10:25,231 --> 00:10:29,771 Speaker 2: about stealing Jane's daughter, Nancy, who helps him with appointments 132 00:10:29,991 --> 00:10:33,921 Speaker 2: and shopping. Jane keeps the ashes of her husband and 133 00:10:33,961 --> 00:10:37,181 Speaker 2: son nearby, waiting for the day they will all be 134 00:10:37,221 --> 00:10:41,091 Speaker 2: laid to rest. together. But that's not going to be 135 00:10:41,171 --> 00:10:44,651 Speaker 2: for a few years, she said with a grin. And 136 00:10:44,691 --> 00:10:48,601 Speaker 2: maybe that is the loveliest part. After 100 years of 137 00:10:49,181 --> 00:10:55,781 Speaker 2: births and funerals, wars and weddings, sickness and ordinary Tuesdays, 138 00:10:56,851 --> 00:11:00,111 Speaker 2: Jane and Bill haven't lost their delight in being here. 139 00:11:01,111 --> 00:11:05,251 Speaker 2: We're still kids, they said. And you can tell by 140 00:11:05,291 --> 00:11:07,331 Speaker 2: the grin on their faces they really do think so. 141 00:11:08,991 --> 00:11:14,231 Speaker 2: Perhaps longevity is partly genetics. Or maybe it really is 142 00:11:14,431 --> 00:11:17,191 Speaker 2: all about movement and medicine and taking care of the 143 00:11:17,231 --> 00:11:20,771 Speaker 2: body God gave you. But a life cannot be measured 144 00:11:20,811 --> 00:11:25,201 Speaker 2: by years alone. Jane and Bill's story reminds us to 145 00:11:25,280 --> 00:11:29,821 Speaker 2: fill those years, however many we have, with people, experiences. 146 00:11:30,501 --> 00:11:34,300 Speaker 2: Take the trip. Tell the old family stories again. Laugh 147 00:11:34,401 --> 00:11:38,101 Speaker 2: when you can. Love people while they are still sitting 148 00:11:38,141 --> 00:11:44,381 Speaker 2: beside you. Because reaching 100 is extraordinary, especially with a 149 00:11:44,441 --> 00:11:49,111 Speaker 2: sibling by your side. But having people you still want 150 00:11:49,231 --> 00:11:52,471 Speaker 2: by your side when you get there, that might be 151 00:11:53,361 --> 00:12:00,941 Speaker 2: the greater gift. I'm reminded of Psalm 90, 12-17. Teach 152 00:12:01,021 --> 00:12:02,901 Speaker 2: us to number our days that we may gain a 153 00:12:02,921 --> 00:12:06,701 Speaker 2: heart of wisdom. Relent, Lord, how long will it be? 154 00:12:07,641 --> 00:12:11,471 Speaker 2: Have compassion on your servants. Satisfy us in the morning 155 00:12:11,530 --> 00:12:14,790 Speaker 2: with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy 156 00:12:14,891 --> 00:12:18,410 Speaker 2: and be glad all our days. Make us glad for 157 00:12:18,451 --> 00:12:21,430 Speaker 2: as many days as you have afflicted us, for as 158 00:12:21,451 --> 00:12:25,170 Speaker 2: many years as we have seen trouble. May your deeds 159 00:12:25,231 --> 00:12:28,191 Speaker 2: be shown to your servants, your splendor to their children. 160 00:12:29,530 --> 00:12:31,771 Speaker 2: May the favor of the Lord our God rest on us. 161 00:12:32,030 --> 00:12:36,571 Speaker 2: Establish the work of our hands for us. Yes, establish 162 00:12:37,211 --> 00:12:44,721 Speaker 2: the work of our hands. This episode really gave me 163 00:12:44,801 --> 00:12:48,881 Speaker 2: hope as I'm approaching my older years. I hope you 164 00:12:48,961 --> 00:12:52,021 Speaker 2: caught something that I did in both of our stories 165 00:12:52,081 --> 00:12:56,191 Speaker 2: today about the importance of of seeing age only as 166 00:12:56,251 --> 00:13:01,771 Speaker 2: a number, but in everything else, considering yourself young, youthful, 167 00:13:02,530 --> 00:13:06,391 Speaker 2: just a kid, aware of wonder, holding hands and being 168 00:13:06,431 --> 00:13:10,451 Speaker 2: with others as you go out into the world. All 169 00:13:10,471 --> 00:13:13,171 Speaker 2: of that is so important, no matter what age we 170 00:13:13,571 --> 00:13:16,631 Speaker 2: are or where we find ourselves in life. So let's 171 00:13:16,651 --> 00:13:20,361 Speaker 2: be encouraged and inspired by 100-year-old twins and the 97-year-old 172 00:13:20,461 --> 00:13:27,841 Speaker 2: wing walker today. Thanks for listening to the Story Behind Podcast. 173 00:13:29,001 --> 00:13:33,060 Speaker 2: I hope today's episode encouraged you and reminds you of 174 00:13:33,101 --> 00:13:36,331 Speaker 2: the ways God is still moving in the world around us, 175 00:13:36,791 --> 00:13:40,111 Speaker 2: even as we age. Visit the links in the show 176 00:13:40,151 --> 00:13:43,351 Speaker 2: notes to find the original articles, photos, videos, and any 177 00:13:43,410 --> 00:13:47,491 Speaker 2: resources mentioned in today's episode on the God Updates blog 178 00:13:47,631 --> 00:13:53,001 Speaker 2: at GodTube.com. If you enjoyed these stories... Be sure to 179 00:13:53,061 --> 00:13:56,501 Speaker 2: follow Story Behind wherever you listen to podcasts and share 180 00:13:56,541 --> 00:14:00,501 Speaker 2: with someone who could use a little encouragement. Story Behind 181 00:14:00,561 --> 00:14:06,050 Speaker 2: is a Life Audio production. For more faith-based podcasts, visit lifeaudio.com. 182 00:14:06,991 --> 00:14:10,191 Speaker 2: I'm Sean McAvoy. Thanks again for joining me, and we'll 183 00:14:10,231 --> 00:14:12,851 Speaker 2: see you next time on Story Behind.