Isn't it wonderful how different our lives seem when the sun shines through? After days of seemingly gloomy weather and ice that not only kept us more or less captive, a new day arrives.

It’s hard to believe that another month is gone already in this new year. The shortest month is such a busy month, maybe because we have so much to accomplish in fewer days. 

It will be nice to be able to look ahead to things that remind us spring is coming. In the not too distant future, we will be able to dig in the dirt, mow the lawn, pull a few weeds and pick up sticks, which is much more attractive to one than slipping on the ice, pushing snow or donning an extra sweater in this cold winter weather. 

Earlier this month, we celebrated Valentine’s Day. Why do we need to have a special day to tell people that we love and care about them? Maybe because it gives us an excuse to make a special point in saying so to the people we know and love. 

My aunt Helyn has a February birthday. Helyn is a beautiful lady who fits right in with the Valentine mood. The love she gives to others shines in their eyes and thoughts.

I reap rewards as people recognize me as Helyn’s niece and often come up to tell me how much they enjoy her presence at Thorne Crest in Albert Lea. It always gives one a lift to spend some time visiting her — having coffee, though neither she or I drink coffee,. 

Nevertheless, we just enjoy sitting or talking about the good times. Things we weren’t always able to do in the past when we thought we were too busy to take the time to count our blessings.

I've never been disappointed in visiting the elderly. They have so much to offer. They put a smile on your face and a spring in your step, and I guess I can see that "getting older" doesn't seem old anymore. 

One wonders if a younger generation will step up to the plate when they are vacated by the forever young or growing older crowd. Perhaps when one’s self grows older, one recognizes so many who are in attendance at church, showers, benefits and the like are apt to be in the older category. Do they have more time to volunteer and play a part in community events?

On second thought, I am not being fair. Where would some of our senior citizens be if younger people didn't get them where they need to go and look after their welfare? 

Sometimes, we do forget that young lives are busy with dual employment, making sure their children get to practice or games, attend school and benefit events, march in parades and promote the elderly so they not only live longer, but comfortably as well. 

Older people have the advantage of experiences. Young people have the enthusiasm, energy, imagination and muscle needed to keep things advancing. 

It's great to see a lack in the generation gap as young and old work together. Isn't it wonderful that those with silver hair or none at all can blend in so nicely with these youngsters who are learning from their older experiences?

Yes, antiques are worth their weight in gold, or should I say the silver in their hair reminds us that they have lived through times both good and bad?

They are tough! You have to be if you’re old, because from what I hear, it’s not always the picnic people think it is going to be.

My dad described the golden years as tarnished tin. My mother said they are more like rusty barbed wire. They both were kidding of course! My great aunt, Carol Christensen described the golden years as a time you have reached when you have a tendency to cling to a special bond that forms with a different love than that of long ago.

When I was a child, people sat around kitchen tables and told their stories. We don't do that so much anymore. 

Sitting around the table telling stories is not just a way of passing time; it is the way the wisdom gets passed along. Despite the awesome powers of technology, many of us still do not live very well. We may need to listen to each other's stories once again.

The stories we can tell each other have no beginning and ending — they are a front row seat to the real experience. Even though they may have happened in a different time or place, they have a familiar feel. In some way, they are about us, too.

Real stories take time. We stopped telling stories when we started to lose that sort of time, pausing time, reflecting time, wondering time. 

Life rushes us along and few people are strong enough to stop on their own. Most often, something unforeseen stops us and it is only when we have the time to take a seat at life's kitchen table to know your own story and tell it, to listen to other people's stories, and to remember the real world is made of such stories.

Honor your senior citizens. You, too, will be old someday. Think of all the fun things you can talk about regarding those good old days with your younger family members and friends.

Birthdays and anniversaries:

• Thursday, February 28th: Troy Utpadel, Neil Pence, Jackie Miller, Steve Engel, Dan Nesdahl, Bennett Dobberstein, Atom Oquist, Sharese Lehmberg, John Marlin, Gerry Flim, Michelle Nelson, Michael Nelson, Tyler Titus, Tiffany Mischke, Michael Coy, Jim & Diane Butler.

• Friday, March 1st:  Dan Nelson, Arlen Brekke, Chet Alan Hansen, Jordon Cook, Rick Loberg, Sara Ihrke, Duane Reichl, Nicole Farr, Emily Ayers, Paula & Richard Conroy.

• Saturday, March 2nd: Willard Christenson, Wilfred Christenson, Laurie Jensen, Angie Hagen Rasmussen, Joanne Kaiser, Roger Langlie, Casey Lyman, Abner Smith, Alexis Elizabeth Klocek, Ronnie & Marcia Hutchins, Paul & Kathy Underland.

• Sunday, March 3rd: Jeff Lageson, John Crabtree, Valerie Tobiason Quiring, Maurine Larson, Frank Thompson, Bill Draayer, Terri Jensen, Darlene Christensen, Charlie Hanson, Jessica Tufte, Terri Miles, David Underland, Darren & Christine Hanson, Angie & Jeff Rasmussen, Nicole & Nathan Milender.

• Monday, March 4th: Dawn David, Teresa Hove, Larry Spear, Julia Elizabeth Neitzel.

• Tuesday, March 5th: Dayna Schember, Nicole Ella Schultz, Tim Toft, Vickie Haberman, Steve Van Ravenhorst.

• Wednesday, March 6th: Valerie Schember, Aaron Reese, Larry Reese, Dawn Dulas, Lynda Maddox Norland, Wade Wacholz, Ryan Schimek, Marlene Peterson, Lillian Weaver, Jami Ann & Travis Marzolf.

Wishing you quiet moments of beauty on your special day!