Having just celebrated her 83rd birthday on Monday, June 25, Pacoima resident Elizabeth Thomas could not be any more satisfied about the life she's led up to this point.

As I sat across from her on a couch in the community room at the Telacu Las Flores housing for seniors, I immediately picked up on Elizabeth's lively personality and positive energy.

I asked her how she felt about turning 83 and she stated in a loud and vivacious voice, "glad to be living."

I wanted to know how she had spent her birthday, imagining balloons, cakes and maybe even karaoke or live music. Couldn't have been further from the truth.

Turns out she had visited one of her dear friends whose health is deteriorating.

Wow, not too many people I know sacrifice a birthday to bring a little bit of joy to others, but again, just talking to Elizabeth made me realize she was a big person.

Besides, its not like she missed out entirely. Earlier in the week she had participated in a Birthday/Father's Day celebration where there was cake and even singing.

"I sang Oh My Pa-Pa with some friends," Elizabeth said with excitement in her voice.

She was even more excited to tell me about her great relationship with her husband Lensy, whom she deeply admires and thinks of highly.

During her marriage, she has had three children, her oldest having passed away eight years ago. Her daughter lives in Van Nuys and her son lives in Princeton, Minnesota.

Born in Ontario, California, Elizabeth's family moved to Corona when she was 8 years old. Five years later, Elizabeth's mother sent her to live with her sister in Pasadena, where Elizabeth says she spent many happy years.

It was then, when she was just in 9th grade when she met her life's mate, Lensy, and at the tender age of 17 she married him. Lensy was two years older than her.

After 66 years of marriage, Elizabeth has nothing but positive things to say about her husband and their relationship. Just like in any relationship, there were ups and downs, but she said she's had a wonderful time with her husband.

"He's fun to be around ... anytime we go anywhere," Elizabeth said.

And even though they were extremely young when they got married, Elizabeth says they both knew they had something serious.

"We were trully in love," she said. "People say you don't know you're in love when your young but you know."

Elizabeth say she and her husband enjoy living at Telacu Las Flores housing in Pacoima, and couldn't be happier.

Elizabeth likes it because its very peaceful, plus the Alicia Broadus-Ducan Multipurpose Senior Center is nearby. And although she says she doesn't go as often as she should, she does make it a priority to attend any affairs the center might have.

She considers all the residents at Telacu her friends. This became obvious when a woman came out to the living area where we were sitting and just struck up a conversation with Elizabeth, didn't even matter that I was there. But that's the kind of person Elizabeth is ... very approachable, friendly and charismatic.

"There's no one here I dislike, I love people," Elizabeth said.

One of Elizabeth's favorite things to do is attend Taking Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) every Tuesday at Prince of Peace Church in Northridge.

Elizabeth has been going consistently for 15 years. After attending just one meeting, she decided to join and lost 24 pounds shortly after that. She says she has kept the weight off for 15 years.

In the class, trainers offer up guidance on eating and exercise.

And if she's not busy with physical activity, Elizabeth enjoys playing BINGO with other Telacu residents. She says they play almost every day. And if she's not doing that, then she's probably reading ... anything she can get her hands on.

She also spends time going to the movies with her daughter who lives nearby. They also attend service at Greater Missionary Baptist Church. She's been going there for about 11 years.

Elizabeth talked about the wonderful days when her kids were near and the family had many outings.

"We did a lot of family travel at one time in our lives including two cruises, one to the Mexican Riviera and another the Carribean.

One of her favorite family traditions was going to Yosemite National Park every Spring or Summer.

"My husband and the kids loved it," Elizabeth says ectastically.

She also recalls with excitement staying at the Hotel Del Coronado.

"We didn't have much money, but we knew how to handle it," Elizabeth said. "We used to go to Vegas all the time ... but we don't go anymore ... they don't pay off like they used to."

Thinking back on her life, Elizabeth said enthusiastically "Me and my husband have had the best times."