Looking for the good in people is where you find happiness in yourself. One of my sweet grandchildren said that she wanted more than anything to be like everybody else, to which I replied, "How boring that would be if all little girls were alike. We all have our gifts. You can sing like an angel, I cannot sing my way out of a paper bag. I can paint a bird, you cannot now; but you can open your eyes and sing like him."

I do not pretend to be where I want to be in life. Even at eighty-one, I have things left to do. I have failed many times, but I have also succeeded as many or probably many more times. I have been disappointed in myself and in others many times, but I have been inspired and awed by their goodness even more times.

I have a family that I love and for whom I have great hopes. They may not change the world; but I hope they will make it a better place in their own part of it, letting their lights shine before all and each other.

I am so grateful to God for the gift of long life, even though it is filled with aches, pains, doctors, and all those things that work to make new possibilities and continued opportunities, maybe another bird to paint.

And finally, I want to give thanks for Margaret, my mom and dad, grandparents, and all those who surrounded me with love. And especially Margaret for sharing these wonderful stories of lives well lived.