Today she has moved to a nursing home. Her husband of 70 years recently passed away, making this move necessary. After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, where I am employed, she smiled sweetly when told her room was ready. As she maneuvered her walker to the elevator, I provided a visual description of her tiny room, including the eyelet curtains that had been hung on her window. "I love it," she stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old having just been presented with a new puppy.

"Mrs. Jones, you haven't seen the room...just wait," I said. Then she spoke these words that I will never forget: "That does not have anything to do with it," she gently replied. "Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time. Whether I like my room or not, does not depend on how the furniture is arranged. It is how I arrange my mind. I have already decided to love it.

It is a decision I make every morning when I wake up. I have a choice. I can spend the day in bed recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer work, or I can get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do work. Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open, I will focus on the new day and all of the happy memories I have stored away...just for this time in my life. Old age is like a bank account. You withdraw from what you have already put in.

I believe- that our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.

I believe-that no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt you every once in awhile and you must forgive them for that.

I believe-that just because someone doesn't love you the way you want them to doesn't mean they don't love you with all they have.

I believe-that true friendship continues to grow, even over the longest distance. Same goes for true love.

I believe-that it's taking me a long time to become the person I want to be.

I believe-that you should always leave loved ones with loving words. It may be the last time you see them.

I believe-that you can keep going, long after you can't.

I believe-that we are responsible for what we do, no matter how we feel.

I believe- that either you control your attitude or it controls you.

I believe-that heroes are the people who do what has to be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.

I believe-that money is a lousy way of keeping score.

I believe-that my best friend and I can do anything or nothing and have the best time.

I believe-that sometimes the people you expect to kick you when you're down, will be the ones to help you get back up.

I believe-that sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.

I believe-that maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.

I believe-that it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others. Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I believe-that no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief.

I believe-that just because two people argue, it doesn't mean they don't love each other. And just because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do.

I believe-that you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret. It could change your life forever.

I believe-that two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different.

I believe-that your life can be changed in a matter of hours by people who don't even know you.

I believe-that even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you, you will find the strength to help.

I believe-that credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.

I believe-that the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon.