Just possibly, she may be the wisest woman on this planet. Too many people put off something that brings them joy just because they haven't thought about it, don't have it on their schedule, didn't know it was coming or are too rigid to depart from their routine.

I got to thinking one day about all those women on the Titanic who passed up dessert at dinner that fateful night in an effort to cut back. From then on, I've tried to be a little more flexible. How many women out there will eat at home because their husband didn't suggest going out to dinner until after something had been thawed? Does the word "refrigeration" mean nothing to you? How often have your kids dropped in to talk and sat in silence while you watched Jeopardy! on television?

I cannot count the times I called my sister and said, "How about going to

lunch in a half hour?" She would gasp and stammer, "I can't. I have clothes on the line. My hair is dirty. I wish I had known yesterday, I had a late breakfast, It looks like rain." And my personal favorite: "It's Monday." She died a few years ago. We never did have lunch together.

Life has a way of accelerating as we get older. The days get shorter, and the list of promises to ourselves gets longer.

One morning, we awaken, and all we have to show for our lives is a litany of "I'm going to," "I plan on" and "Someday, when things are settled down a bit." When anyone calls my 'seize the moment' friend, she is open to adventure and available for trips. She keeps an open mind on new ideas. Her enthusiasm for life is contagious. You talk with her for five minutes, and you're ready to trade your bad feet for a pair of Roller blades and skip an elevator for a bungee cord.

My lips have not touched ice cream in 10 years. I love ice cream. It's just that I might as well apply it directly to my hips with a spatula and eliminate the digestive process. The other day, I stopped the car and bought a triple-Decker. If my car had hit an iceberg on the way home, I would have died happy.

Now...go on and have a nice day. Do something you WANT to......not something on your SHOULD DO list. If you were going to die soon and had only one phone call you could make, who would you call and what would you say?

And why are you waiting? Make sure you read this to the end; you will

understand why I sent this to you. Have you ever watched kids playing on a merry go round or listened to the rain lapping on the ground?

Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight or gazed at the sun into the fading night? You better slow down. Don't dance so fast. Time is short. The music won't last. Do you run through each day on the fly? When you ask "How are you?" Do you hear the reply? When the day is done, Do you lie in your bed with the next hundred chores running through your head?

Ever told your child, We'll do it tomorrow And in your haste, not see his sorrow? Ever lost touch? Let a good friendship die? Just call to say "Hi"?

You'd better slow down. Don't dance so fast. Time is short. The music won't last.

When you run so fast to get somewhere, you miss half the fun of getting there. When you worry and hurry through your day, It is like an unopened gift....Thrown away.

Life is not a race. Take it slower. Hear the music before the song is over.

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less. We buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness. 

I've learned:

• That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.
• That when you're in love, it shows.
• That just one person saying to me, "You've made my day!" makes my day.
• That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world.
• That being kind is more important than being right.
• That you should never say no to a gift from a child.
• That I can always pray for someone when I don't have the strength to help him in some other way.
• That no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.
• That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.
• That simple walks with my father around the block on summer nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult.
• That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.
• That we should be glad God doesn't give us everything we ask for.
• That money doesn't buy class.
• That it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.
• That under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.
• That the Lord didn't do it all in one day. What makes me think I can?
• That to ignore the facts does not change the facts.
• That when you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting that person continue to hurt you.
• That love, not time, heals all wounds.
• That the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people smarter than I am.
• That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.
• That there's nothing sweeter than sleeping with your babies and feeling their breath on your cheeks.
• That no one is perfect until you fall in love with them.
• That life is tough, but I'm tougher.
• That opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss.
• That when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.
• That I wish I could have told my Dad that I love him one more time before he passed away.
• That one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them.
• That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.
• That I can't choose how I feel, but I can choose what I do about it.
• That when your newly born grandchild holds your little finger in his little fist, that you're hooked for life.
• That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all then happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it.
• That it is best to give advice in only two circumstances; when it is requested and when it is a life threatening situation.
• That the less time I have to work with, the more things I get done.

But only true friends will leave footprints in your heart.

To handle yourself, use your head;
To handle others, use your heart.

Anger is only one letter short of danger.

If someone betrays once, it is his fault;
If he betrays you twice, it is your fault.

Great minds discuss ideas;
Average minds discuss events;
Small minds discuss people.

He who loses money, loses much;
He who loses a friend, loses much more;
He who loses faith, loses all.

Beautiful young people are accidents of nature,
But beautiful old people are works of art.

Learn from the mistakes of others
You can't live long enough to make them all yourself.

• The partner who hogs the covers every night, because he/she is with me. 
• For the mess to clean after a party, because it means that I have been surrounded by friends.
• For the clothes that fit a little too snug, because it means I have enough to eat.
• For my shadow that watches me work, because it means I am in the sunshine.
• For a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning, and gutters that need fixing, because it means I have a home.
• For all the complaining I hear about the government, because it means that we have freedom of speech.
• For the parking spot I find at the far end of the parking lot, because it means I am capable of walking and that I have been blessed with transportation.
• For my huge heating bill, because it means I am warm.
• For the lady behind me in church that sings off key, because it means that I can hear.
• For the pile of laundry and ironing, because it means I have clothes to wear.
• For weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day, because it means I have been capable of working hard.
• For the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours, because it means that I am alive. For the taxes that I pay, because it means that I am employed.

Dear Dad:

Well, we are still out at sea, with little direction as to what our next priority is. The remainder of our port visits, which were to be centered around max liberty and goodwill to the United Kingdom, have all but been canceled. We have spent every day since the attacks going back and forth within imaginary boxes drawn in the ocean, standing high-security watches, and trying to make the best of our time. It hasn't been that fun I must confess, and to be even more honest, a lot of people are frustrated at the fact that they either can't be home, or we don't have more direction right now. We have seen the articles and the photographs, and they are sickening. Being isolated as we are, I don't think we appreciate the full scope of what is happening back home, but we are definitely feeling the effects.

About two hours ago the junior officers were called to the bridge to conduct Ship Handling drills. We were about to do a man overboard when we got a call from the LUTJENS (D185), a German warship that was moored ahead of us on the pier in Plymouth, England. While in port, the WINSTON CHURCHILL and the LUTJENS got together for a sports day/cookout on our fantail, and we made some pretty good friends. Now at sea they called over on bridge-to-bridge, requesting to pass us close up on our port side, to say goodbye. We prepared to render them honors on the bridgewing, and the Captain told the crew to come topside to wish them farewell. As they were making their approach, our Conning Officer announced through her binoculars that they were flying an American flag.

As they came even closer, we saw that it was flying at half-mast. The bridgewing was crowded with people as the Boatswain's Mate blew two whistles- Attention to Port- the ship came up alongside and we saw that the entire crew of the German ship were manning the rails, in their dress blues. They had made up a sign that was displayed on the side that read "We Stand By You". Needless to say there was not a dry eye on the bridge as they stayed alongside us for a few minutes and we cut our salutes.

It was probably the most powerful thing I have seen in my entire life and more than a few of us fought to retain our composure.

It was a beautiful day outside today. We are no longer at liberty to divulge over unsecure e-mail our location, but we could not have asked for a finer day at sea. The German Navy did an incredible thing for this crew, and it has truly been the highest point in the days since the attacks.

It's amazing to think that only a half-century ago things were quite different, and to see the unity that is being demonstrated throughout Europe and the world makes us all feel proud to be out here doing our job.

After the ship pulled away and we prepared to begin our man overboard drills the Officer of the Deck turned to me and said "I'm staying Navy."

• At 7 I learned when I wave to people in the country, they stop what they are doing and wave back.
• At 9 I learned just when I get my room the way I like it, Mom makes me clean it up again.
• At 12 I learned if you want to cheer yourself up, you should try cheering someone else up.
• At 14 I learned although it's hard to admit it, I'm secretly glad my parents are strict with me.
• At 15 I learned silent company is often more healing than words of advice.
• At 24 I learned brushing my child's hair is one of life's great pleasures.
• At 26 I learned wherever I go, the world's worst drivers have followed me there.
• At 29 I learned if someone says something unkind about me, I must live so that no one will believe it.
• At 30 I learned there are people who love you dearly but just don't know how to show it.
• At 42 I learned you can make some one's day by simply sending them a little note.
• At 44 I learned the greater a person's sense of guilt, the greater his or her need to cast blame on others.
• At 46 I learned children and grandparents are natural allies.
• At 47 I learned no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.
• At 48 I learned singing "Amazing Grace" can lift my spirits for hours.
• At 49 I learned motel mattresses are better on the side away from the phone.
• At 50 I learned you can tell a lot about a man by the way he handles these three things I learned a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.
• At 51 I learned keeping a vegetable garden is worth a medicine cabinet full of pills.
• At 52 I learned regardless of your relationship with your parents, you miss them terribly after they die.
• At 53 I learned making a living is not the same thing as making a life.
• At 58 I learned if you want to do something positive for your children, work to improve your marriage.
• At 61 I learned life sometimes gives you a second chance.
• At 62 I learned you shouldn't go through life with a catchers mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back.
• At 64 I learned if you pursue happiness, it will elude you. But if you focus on your family, the needs of others, your work, meeting new people, and doing! the very best you can, happiness will find you.
• At 65 I learned whenever I decide something with kindness, I usually make the right decision.
• At 66 I learned everyone can use a prayer.
• At 72 I learned it pays to believe in miracles. And to tell the truth, I've seen several.
• At 75 I learned even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.
• At 82 I learned every day you should reach out and touch someone. People
• At love that human touch-holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.
• At 90 I learned I still have a lot to learn.
• At 92 I learned you should pass this on to someone you care about. Sometimes they just need a little something to make them smile.

The Taliban are telling their people to prepare for Jihad. Instead, let's give the Afghani people their first good meal in years. Seeing your family fully fed and the prospect of stability in terms of food and a future is a powerful deterrent to martyrdom. All we ask in return is that they, as a people, agree to enter the civilized world. That includes handing over terrorists in their midst.

Do we want to live a life of fear as people in the middle east do? 

Skelton later wrote down, and eventually recorded, his recollection of this lecture.

• I - - Me; an individual; a committee of one.
• Pledge - - Dedicate all of my worldly goods to give without self-pity.
• Allegiance - - My love and my devotion.
• To the Flag - - Our standard; Old Glory; a symbol of Freedom; wherever she waves there is respect, because your loyalty has given her a dignity that shouts, Freedom is everybody's job.
• United - - That means that we have all come together.
• States of America- - Individual communities that have united into forty-eight great states. Forty-eight individual communities with pride and dignity and purpose. All divided with imaginary boundaries, yet united to a common purpose, and that is love for country.
• And to the Republic - - a state in which sovereign power is invested in representatives chosen by the people to govern. And government is the people; and it's from the people to the leaders, not from the leaders to the people.
• For which it stands
• One Nation - meaning, so blessed by God.
• Indivisible - - Incapable of being divided.
• With Liberty - - Which is Freedom; the right of power to live one's own life, without threats, fear, or some sort of retaliation.
• And Justice - - The principle, or qualities, of dealing fairly with others.
• For All - which means, boys and girls, it's as much your country as it is mine.

Reportedly, it all began in 1862 during the Civil War, when Union Army Captain Robert Ellicombe was with his men near Harrison's Landing in Virginia. The Confederate Army was on the other side of the narrow strip of land. During the night, Captain Ellicombe heard the moans of a soldier who lay severely wounded on the field. Not knowing if it was a Union or a Confederate soldier, the captain decided to risk his life and bring the stricken man back for medical attention. Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire, the captain reached the stricken soldier and began pulling him toward his encampment. When the captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered it was actually a Confederate soldier, but the soldier was dead.

The captain lit a lantern and suddenly caught his breath and went numb with shock. In the dim light, he saw the face of the soldier. It was his own son. The boy had been studying music in the South when the war broke out. Without telling his father, the boy enlisted in the Confederate Army. The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission of his superiors to give his son a full military burial despite his enemy status.

His request was only partially granted. The captain had asked if he could have a group of Army band members play a funeral dirge for his son at the funeral. The request was turned down since the soldier was a Confederate. But, out of respect for the father, they did say they could give him only one musician. The Captain chose a bugler. He asked the bugler to play a series of musical notes he had found on a piece of paper in! the pocket of the dead youth's uniform. This wish was granted. The haunting melody, we now know as "Taps" used at military funerals, was born.

I, too, have felt the chills while listening to "Taps" but I have never seen all the words to the song until now. I didn't even know there was more than one verse. I also never knew the story behind the song and I didn't know if any of you had either so I thought I'd pass it along. I now have an even deeper respect for the song than I did before