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"Let me grow lovely, growing old - So many fine things do: Laces, and ivory, and gold, And silks need not be new; And there is healing in old trees, Old streets a glamour hold; Why may not I, as well as these, Grow lovely, growing old?" ("Let me grow lovely" by Karle Wilson Baker)

"God keep my heart attuned to laughter When youth is done; ... God keep me always loving and believing As I grow old." (from "As I grow old," unknown)

"Let me tonight look back across the span 'Twixt dawn and dark, and to my conscience say - Because of some good act to beast or man - 'The world is better that I lived today.'"... (from "A morning prayer" by Ella Wheeler Wilcox)

"And finally - to cultivate such a measure of calmness in my daily life, as would enable me to bear success with humility, and be ready, when a day of trial or great disappointment comes - to meet it with courage..." from "Philosophy for every day" by Sir William Osler

"Not mighty deeds make up the sum Of happiness below; But little acts of kindness Which any child may show." (from "Deeds Like These," author unknown)

"I sought my soul, But my soul I could not see. I sought my God, But my God eluded me. I sought my brother, And I found all three." Unknown

Many in need Volunteer Your own health and happiness will thank you.

“Lord, let me give and sing and sow And do my best, though I In years to come may never know What soul was helped thereby. Content to feel that thou canst bless All things however small To someone’s lasting happiness So, Lord, accept my all.”…. Prudence Tasker Olsen

“The question is not what a man can scorn, or disparage, or find fault with, but what he can love, and value, and appreciate.” …. John Ruskin

“Grant us brotherhood, not only for this day but for all our years - a brotherhood not of words but of acts and deeds.” Stephen Vincent Benét

“If you want happiness For an hour — take a nap For a day — go fishing For a month — get married For a year — inherit a fortune For a lifetime — help someone else” ….. Chinese proverb

“You may be disappointed if you fail, but you are doomed if you don't try.” - Beverly Sills

“They might not need me; but they might. I’ll let my head be just in sight; A smile as small as mine might be Precisely their necessity.” …Emily Dickinson

(From “A prayer” by Anna Lee Edwards McAlpine) It’s not for worldly goods I seek, But for the grace to live Unselfishly, from day to day With all my love to give To those I see about me… I pray that I may share the gift Of love You give to me. To minister to anyone Who needs that touch from me.

“As you travel through life, When you stop and look behind you, May the times that you have been happy far outnumber the times when fate has been unkind. And may much more happiness Be awaiting you on the journey yet to be.” Unknown (from Chinese poetry)

“Love the people with whom fate brings you together, but do so with all your heart.” — Marcus Aurelius

“That best portion of a good man’s life, His little, nameless, unremembered acts Of kindness and of love.” …. William Wordsworth

The Aim of Life by Philip James Bailey We live in deeds, not years; in thoughts, not breaths; In feelings, not in figures on a dial. We should count time by heart-throbs. He most lives Who thinks most, feels the noblest, acts the best.

Magic It costs so little, I wonder why We give it so little thought; A smile, kind words, a glance, a touch - What magic by them is wrought. Unknown

Wanted to play longer Visited a different memory care today. The workers were engaged. The residents were having fun. One lady, with limited mobility, used only eye contact and hand motions to invite me to play a game of her design. She immediately won my heart.

“The best and most beautiful things in this world cannot be seen or even heard, but must be felt with the heart.” …. Helen Keller

Memory care lesson in kindness Two new, unrelated residents with dementia. Both unhappy. The woman, Stoic; the man, Inconsolable. One day, Stoic held Inconsolable’s hand, softly talked with him. He quietly listened. Both at peace. When thanked for comforting him, Stoic said, “what else could I do?”

From poem by Edgar Albert Guest “Did you waste the day, or lose it, was it well or sorely spent? Did you leave a trail of kindness or a scar of discontent? As you close your eyes in slumber do you think that God would say, You have earned one more tomorrow by the work you did today?”

Years ago, drove across country alone. Met many friendly, helpful people in every state. Thought all Americans should make a similar trip to get a different appreciation of the US. Today - would be afraid to make the same trip.

“Just let me live so that I may By way of word, or work, or deed, Extend an ever helpful hand, Or just a smile to one in need.” from “Purpose” by Laura Baker Haynes

“When we quit thinking primarily about ourselves and our own self-preservation, we undergo a truly heroic transformation of consciousness.” Joseph Campbell

“Be mindful that happiness is not based on possessions, power, or prestige, but on relationships with people you love and respect.” …unknown

“We cannot all do great things but we can do small things with great love.” … Mother Teresa

“Somewhere out there is a unique place for you to help others - a unique life role for you to fill that only you can fill.” ….Thomas Kinkade

Take a break from political chaos - Read positive, uplifting stories and poems to seniors in memory care. You may even be happier than your listeners.

“How far you go in life depends on being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of those who are weaker than you, because someday you will be all of these.” …George Washington Carver