ESCONDIDO -- Although Gladys McDonald-Holm was expecting a more intimate lunch, she said Monday's surprise gathering of family and friends was a perfect way to celebrate her 106th birthday.

Sitting at the end of an empire-style table at Marie Callender's Restaurant in Escondido, McDonald-Holm's smile seemed constant as she chatted with loved ones and cracked occasional jokes, including, "I can't go take a nap, can I?"

McDonald-Holm's long life began on Aug. 27 in 1901 in Minnesota. She moved to Escondido with her family when she was 13 years old.

Now, she lives by herself in a mobile home park in Escondido, but is constantly surrounded by the company of family and friends.

"I'm close to people, and I like it like that," she said.

Although she uses a walker, McDonald-Holm said she feels healthy and doesn't necessarily feel her age.

However, she did point out that 106 is "an awfully big number."

McDonald-Holm was part of the first graduating class for the Escondido Unified School District, and she earned her teaching degree at UCLA.

She married her husband, Eric Holm, in 1930, and they lived in Los Angeles, where she taught third grade for 34 years. The couple shared a passion for traveling around the world, including taking numerous cruises, until her husband died in 1978.

Since then, she has visited places such China and Prince Edwards Island, and has served as a member of the California Retired Teacher Association, the Escondido Woman's Club and the Friends of the Library.

Throughout the years, she said there was "not much I missed" in terms of invention or discovery.

She noted, for example, that she has seen the inventions of the automobile, radio and television, and that she also has experienced societal changes that included women's right to vote.

She also has lived through the terms of 19 presidents, including President William McKinley, who was shot less than a month after she was born.

Although she has experienced her share of happy times, she said living through numerous wars has been sad and difficult, especially since her husband served in both world wars.

McDonald-Holm recalled a time when she had hoped things would be different. She was a child when her grandmother talked about losing two brothers during the Civil War, and remembers feeling grateful that times were peaceful.

"I was so glad to live when there was no war," she said, but added solemnly that "there has been war all of my life."

Although she was reluctant to offer advice on living, she said she has learned how important it is to just "be satisfied with what you have."

Florence Holdsworth, of Indian Wells, said her friend of nearly 60 years has always lived her life to the fullest.

In fact, during a weekend trip to San Clemente approximately six years ago, Holdsworth said the two ladies played cards until 2 a.m.

Although the now 86-year-old Holdsworth eventually had to bow out to go to bed, she said the "great card player" who was nearly 100 years old at the time "was still going."

McDonald-Holm's 5-year-old great-grandson, Nathan Elliott, best summed up what appeared to be a collective belief around the table.

"I think she's special, and I love her," he said.