By Amanda Greene, www.lalupuslady.com
 
Amanda Greene is finding the joys of Lupus. She was diagnosed with Lupus and APS at 15 years old. As "LA Lupus Lady" she is an online advocate for Lupus Research and Wellness. Amanda's flair for connecting using Social Media and passion for sharing made her transition to brand ambassador a natural one. Find Amanda online at http://www.lalupuslady.com or tweeting (too much!) @LAlupusLady.
 
It won’t make headline news on CNN and Hollywood won’t be rolling out a red carpet, but on Friday, March 8, my great-aunt Sylvia will celebrate her 100th birthday. My grandma’s older sister has always been a “great aunt” and a wonderful role model for me, both as a woman and as a Savvy Auntie.
 
Honoring this centennial fills me with tremendous pride and joy. Aunt Sylvia is a strong, independent woman who learned from her mother (my great-grandmother Rose) to value education and to put family first. She graduated from UCLA in 1933 and soon after became a pharmacist. She married and had a son. Soon after,, her husband was drafted; he died serving in World War II. She raised her son alone while working as a pharmacist and made sure her son went to law school. Later in life, she lived with and took care of her mother, Rose. Today, she lives in the Bay Area, where she moved to be closer to her son and grandchildren.
 
Along the way, Aunt Sylvia has taught me to lead and create the kind of family traditions and memories that I want to have. She and my grandma have taught me to enjoy the journey and explore the world. The two of them would take trips together; I couldn’t wait to hear about the stories of their travels and often went to pick them up from the airport. As soon as one travel adventure was over, Aunt Sylvia was thinking about her next trip. Whether the trip was to Hawaii, Israel, Thailand, or Desert Hot Springs, Aunt Sylvia taught me to “enjoy wherever you are because you don’t know when or if you will be back.”
 
Eventually, the grandchildren came along with them, whether it was a quick day trip up the coast or a weeklong cruise to Mexico—a lesson I hope my nieces and nephew will learn from me as well. Twenty years ago, celebrating her 80th birthday, Aunt Sylvia invited us to “cruise with her.” Watching the women of my family wear their travel hats and “bargain” in Acapulco was a moment I won’t ever forget.
 
I may not make it to my own 100th birthday, but with inspiration and advice from my great-aunt, I know to make each day special and share more smiles than frowns.

Happy 100th Birthday, Aunt Sylvia! Your life lessons are a gift and now I am sharing your wisdom with the next generation of “great aunts,” known collectively as Savvy Aunties.
 
Great Aunt Sylvia’s Aunt-sights
 
1. Find joy. Laugh together with your nieces and nephews.
 
2. Adventures can happen wherever you are. Taking your nephews or nieces somewhere new doesn’t mean you need a passport—just their parents’ permission.
 
3. Create meaningful traditions that are unique to you and your family.
 
4. Strong women rule and lead the family, but don’t let the men know that.

Photo: Courtesy of Amanda Greene
Published: March 5, 2013