Someone sent me the following item and I thought that following Easter would be a good time to share them to refresh how our lives are meant to be lived. These are words of wisdom that apply to life no matter your age. In fact, the younger you begin to practice them, the better your life will be.

They are the life lessons that were written by Regina Brett, 90 years old, of the Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio. Her preface read: “To celebrate growing older, I once wrote a column of the 45 lessons life taught me. It was the most requested column I ever wrote.”

I’m sharing an edited version of her thoughts, with a few of my own favorites thrown in at the end.

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and family will.

4. You don't have to win every argument. Stay true to yourself.

5. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

6. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

7. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

8. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

9. Everything can change in the blink of an eye, but don't worry, God never blinks.

10. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

11. Get rid of anything that isn't useful. Clutter weighs you down in many ways

12. It's never too late to be happy. But it’s all up to you and no one else.

13. Don't save things for a special occasion. Today is special.

14. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

15. The most important sex organ is the brain.

16. Forgive.

17. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

18. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

19. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

20. Believe in miracles.

21. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

22. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

23. Growing old beats the alternative of dying young.

24. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

25. Envy is a waste of time. Accept what you already have, not what you think you need

26. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

Following are some truths I’ve learned (or still working on learning) through my life:

1. Life here is not endless, so make the most of what time you are given.

2. Take time to smell the roses, watch the clouds, enjoy the view and marvel at the world.

3. The old advice, “Eat it up, wear it out and use it up” still holds true today. Now we call it recycling.

4. If you don’t make the most of today, tomorrow probably won’t be much better.

5. Einstein was right when he said: “Doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results is insanity.”

6. If everyone hung their troubles out on a line, we’d probably each take back our own.

7. Be thankful you don’t always receive what you deserve!

8. It really is okay to be wrong. That’s how we learn.

9. Don’t try to be like everyone else. With personality as with art, it’s the original that receives the most acclaim.

10. Laugh. It improves your looks, your health and your spirit.

11. Don’t try to do everything alone. Remember: God set the Ark’s passenger list as two-by-two.

12. Learn early that “Reality Shows” are far from real!

And the last two from the ageless wisdom of Abraham Lincoln:

13. Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm.

14. You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by putting it off today.

High Fives!...Will Turner of Nashville, Tennessee was selected to the US Youth Soccer Olympic Development Program's Region III 2001 team. Region III includes 14 states in the southern U.S. from North Carolina to Texas. He is participating in an international tour of Italy with his teammates from Region III and will represent USYS in matches with clubs from Parma, Verona and Milan. This is the second international soccer trip for Will, a junior honor student at Father Ryan High School in Nashville. In Nashville, he competes for his high school and for Tennessee SC in the Elite Club National League. Will is the son of Kelly and Tom Turner (FHS class of 1981) and the grandson of lifelong resident, Mary Conrad Janzou.

Sing out!..The Cardinal Singers of the Red Bird Christian School in Beverly, Kentucky will give a one evening special performance at Memorial United Methodist Church in Farmington on their annual Spring Tour. The free concert is on Saturday, April 21 at 6 p.m. and the public is invited. The evening includes traditional and contemporary vocal music, drama and a 24-member dulcimer ensemble. In addition, a display of traditional crafts produced in the Appalachian Mountains will be available for purchase. The Red Bird Mission is a National Mission Institution in covenant with the United Methodist Women and is located the mountains of southeastern Kentucky. The mission serves the needs of families there through a variety of programs, including a K-12 school with approximately 230 students. Further information, if needed, is available by calling the church office at 756-4565. prom

Blowing out candles....A small group of friends were invited to celebrate the 80th birthday of Jon Cozean on March 30. The surprise party was arranged by Angie Hahn and held in the kitchen at Cozean Funeral Home. Refreshments of cake, ice cream and punch were served. Jon failed to be surprised though, as he said the tip-off came when he saw the number of cars parked there and knew no viewing was scheduled that evening. He enjoyed the opportunity to visit with his many friends anyway.

Word was received Tuesday as this column was being written, that Mem McCalister, formerly of Farmington, died Monday, April 2, at his home in Florida. Mem was a well-liked 1944 graduate of Farmington High School. Arrangements were not complete at this time.

Coming up:

Tuesday….Women's Connection Brunch meets at the First Baptist Church, 210 N. A Street in Farmington from 9:15 to 11 a.m. Speakers feature Gabriele Libby of Farmington who shares her family's trip to Germany and Dee Vincent, a retired national sales director of a major company, tells about her involvement in Stonecroft Ministries in “Looking In the Rear View Mirror.” Reservations/cancellations are required for the $10 event by calling Joan at 756-7226 or Lucy at 573-562-7492. Bring a friend and enjoy a delicious brunch catered by ColJac, as well!

June 1-3…The 40th annual Farmington Country Days will again be held in downtown Farmington. Those interested in participating or to secure vendor space for the three-day event should ema