EL PASO, Texas -- It was a birthday celebration filled with family, friends, and gifts, but it was nothing new to one Borderland resident.

On her 104th birthday, Amelia Leyva’s granddaughter gave her a pillowcase. Not an ordinary pillowcase, but one with a photo of her grandmother kissing her late husband on the cheek more than 50 years ago. Tears came to her eyes as she recalled just one of the many memories she’s made in her 104 years on earth.

"It was a very normal life,” Leyva said. “Everything was happy, all of my life."

Born in 1905 in Casas Grandes, Mexico, Amelia and her family came to the United States when she was 6. Nearly 100 years later, she said she's lived a full life.

"I currently have six children, four boys and three girls," she said.

Her youngest son died several years ago. Leyva now lives in Anthony, New Mexico surround by friends like Father Andres Alava.

“She amazes all of us,” Father Alava said. “I don't know where she gets so much life and wisdom and generosity.

Father Alava believes he knows one secret to her long life.

“She's a holy lady and she's in continuous communication with God,” he said.

And genetics may have something to do with it as well.

"My father died when he was 100 years old,” Leyva said.

Leyva believes another key to long life is living happily and caring for your children.