Tauranga's Margaret Almond turned 105 years old this month and received her second birthday card from the Queen. Photo / John Borren
Not many people live long enough to get a birthday card from the Queen but Tauranga's Margaret Almond now has two.
"Well, I don't know whether it was actually from her," the 105-year-old says, pointing out on the envelope that the letter was in fact sent from New Zealand, not England.
All the same, she says it was "quite nice" to receive the royal birthday wish.
And how does Margaret feel turning 105 years old?
"No different."
The Radius Matua rest-home resident – born on January 4, 1913 – celebrated the remarkable birthday milestone with about 15 members of her family as well as friends last week.
"It was something for the children," Margaret humbly says of the birthday festivities.
She had her son, daughter-in-law, grandchildren and great-grandchildren there.
In Margaret's room at the rest home photos of those loved ones hang on the wall. There are also flowers and some birthday balloons.
A table is full of cards – one from the Queen, two from Parliament and plenty more from family and friends – as well as some birthday presents including hand lotion, chocolate and soaps.
Originally from Christchurch, Margaret grew up on a sheep farm and then spent several decades in the upper North Island, working as a nurse in Kaeo, Kawakawa and Auckland, until retiring about 40 years ago.
When asked what makes her happy, she replies: "Beautiful weather and the children all healthy and … plenty of money."
And what do you like to do?
"I rest a lot."
She also still takes part in exercises about twice a week, goes to concerts at the rest home, and joins occasional bus trips.
Margaret went to all of Radius Matua's Christmas parties and sang carols.
During the interview, she considers every question and slowly replies with grace.
At one point, she apologises for there not being enough chairs in the room.
Activities co-ordinator at the rest home Klara Luxford says Margaret told her "waking every day in the morning" made her proud.
And so it should when you have done so for more than 38,000 mornings.
"All right," Margaret suddenly announces, calling to an end the Bay of Plenty Times' photo session.
"Not as easy as it was," she says as the camera whirs a few more times.
Later on that afternoon an email from Luxford relays a message from Margaret.
"She asked me to tell you that she thought you were really nice people and that she should have made it more fun for you. But she is sorry, that she couldn't quickly remember how to do that," the message reads.
"She also promised to plan it better for next year."
