Every day is a gift

A man of 92 years, short, very well-presented, who takes great care in
his appearance, is moving into an old people's home today. His wife of
70 has recently died, and he is obliged to donate his home for orphan house.

After waiting several hours in the retirement home lobby, he gently
smiles as he is told that his room is ready. As he slowly walks to the
elevator, using his cane, I described his small room to him, including
the sheet hung at the window which serves as a curtain.

"I like it very much", he said, with the enthusiasm of an 8 year old boy
who has just been given a new puppy.

"Sir, you haven't even seen the room yet." I wonderingly asked.

"That has nothing to do with it", he replied.

"Happiness is something I choose in advance.

Whether or not I like the room does not depend on the furniture, or the
decor rather it depends on how I decide to see it & how I look at it."

"It is already decided in my mind that I like my room. It is a decision
I take every morning when I wake up."

"I can choose. I can spend my day in bed enumerating all the
difficulties that I have with the parts of my body that no longer work
very well, or I can get up and give thanks to heaven for those parts
that are still in working order."

"Every day is a gift, and as long as I can open my eyes, I will focus on
the new day, and all the happy memories that I have built up during my
life."