National Centenarian Day: What's the secret to a long and happy life?

RESEDA, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- National Centenarian Day was on Thursday, and to celebrate, 38 people who were 100 years old or older had a big birthday gathering in Reseda.

ABC7's Denise Dador got a chance to ask about their secret to a long and happy life while attending the party at the Los Angeles Jewish Home for the Aging.

Claire Zunder, 101, said she loved singing the musical classic "You Made Me Love You."

The song had just been released when Zunder was born back in 1915.

Rose Kahan, 100, was very stealthy with her secret to longevity.

"When I live to be a 150, then I'll tell you," she said with a smile.

Myrtle Feenberg said being 101 was just a number.

"All I want to do is make it go up," said Feenberg.

Feenberg credited a positive attitude, volunteer work and exercise for her longevity, but she said her willingness to forgive people is what keeps her healthy.

"I think a grudge or something like that absolutely eats on you," Feenberg explained.

One couple, Bill and Judy Dragin, recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary and both their mothers were there.

Marian Stearn is 105 and Fae Dragin is 103.

"It's not very many guys who have a mother-in-law who will live to be 106," Bill Dragin joked.

The couple hoped to have both their mothers there again for their 60th wedding anniversary.

Studies indicate the number of centenarians has risen 44 percent since 2000.