I love when I’m allowed to have fun with no trouble after. No consequences. Fun at no one’s  expense. Like if the whole world knew what I did, no one would be hurt. No one would mind if I were having fun if they were my friend.

I don’t like when people copy what I do because they probably wouldn’t enjoy doing what I do anyway.

For example, I’ve had a lot of people jealous of me, and that is hard when they have no idea what I had to go through. “Oh, you went to college!” Ya, I did, because I saved money for college since I was ten. I didn’t let anything interfere with me going to college, not even boys.

I didn’t slow down enough to get mixed up with guys until I had a wreck. After that, I couldn’t finish my graduate work. It was then I met the traveling salesman of all history. The character in all the jokes. Well, it was no joke when he took my home and my pride. I got married and ripped off.

Don’t worship yourself, but say, “I’m going to take care of me the best I can, so if someone else needs anything I can help provide it.” Remember, but don’t dwell on bad things.

One of the best things in my life is I learned to meditate. I can do it anywhere.

And, never lose your attitude of gratitude. I wake up in the morning and say thank you for the beautiful morning, the beautiful life.

Just be happy. Figure out what the definition of happy is for you, and pursue it.

Written 5-22–2016

Dr J’s Comments

My second oldest sister, Zella, when asked to tell me a story, switched between being reflective of her life and giving wise counsel from what she has learned. She spoke in the first person, and then as a teacher giving advice.

Zella’s picture was taken in 1991 when she was 51. Today, she is very frail but lives on her own and truly does have a joyful attitude. She is a great story teller with an acute memory of our childhood years. We all have our own version of what happened when we were young, but Zella’s are most entertaining.