Life is Like a Bank Account

--by keepsmiling, posted Nov 26, 2008

This story is about a 92 year old, petite, well-poised and proud lady. She is fully dressed each morning by eight, with her hair fashionable coifed and makeup perfectly applied, even though she is legally blind. She is moving to a nursing home today. Her husband of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary.

After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, 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 sheets 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 yet. Just wait." "That doesn't have anything to do with it," she replied. "Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time. Whether I like my room or not doesn't depend on how the furniture is arranged, it's how I arrange my mind. I already decided to love it. Its 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 get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do. Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open I'll focus on the new day and all the happy memories I've stored away...just for this time in my life."

"Old age is like a bank account...you withdraw from what you've put in. So, my advice to you would be to deposit a lot of happiness in the bank account of memories. Thank you for your part in filling my memory bank. I am still depositing."

26.2K Reads

Posted by keepsmiling
Nov 26, 2008
Comments (19)

Readers Comments

JuneBug wrote: I have read this before but always enjoy the remider...Thank you for posting it! :}

Jimpa wrote: What a wonderful reminder that life is a matter of choice.

Many Blessings,
Jimpa

makesomeonesmile wrote: Very true, thanks for sharing!

sukrity wrote: yaaa true....dis is true way of living life...thanks for sharing wid us..!!
GOD BLESS !!
lots of love,
sukrity

Cary wrote: This is so touching. Very true. That's what every single individual should be. That'll make the world a more happier place to live in. Thanks for sharing. God bless. :)

flowergirl wrote: What a beautifull way to live your life ,to make the decision to love what ever your life gives you. She is one very inspiring lady ,and i will give thanks for the bits that do work rather than focus on the parts that dont or that hurt ,thanks ,love and peace flowergirl

cabbage wrote: I love this piece. Thanks so very much.

What a great read on this thanksgiving day--
We should all wake up and count our blessings! Much love and hugs to you!

Dr Abdul Hayee Khoso Baloch wrote: Although out side circumstances have influence over peoples, but it is more that how a person react over the circumstances. It is in mind the heaven and hail humans carry. The reaction with in mind.

Baofei wrote: Love this story :) it's a good reminder that my problems are never worth my happiness

RABIA wrote: Wonderful story. Reminds me of the saying that there is nothing good or baz but thinkind makes it so, also we should learn to live happy with whatever we have. Life is precious indeed!

Stories of Kindness from Around the World