But this woman had lived long enough to understand something many people take decades to learn.
Life passes quickly.
The things we worry about today may not matter years from now. The arguments we have may eventually become forgotten. The possessions we spend years collecting may someday belong to someone else.
What remains are the memories.
The laughter around a table.
The sound of children playing.
The feeling of holding someone's hand.
The taste of a favorite meal.
The sight of a beautiful sunrise.
The people who stood beside us when life became difficult.
Those are the treasures that cannot be bought.
Perhaps that is why her smile feels so powerful.
She had already lived through 102 years, yet she wasn't looking backward with sadness.
She was looking forward.
There was still another sunrise to see.
Another meal to enjoy.
Another conversation to have.
Another day to be thankful for.
Her little home stood behind her, quiet and simple. The land around it was dry, and the trees were sparse. To some people, the surroundings might appear harsh.
