NIAGARA, Wis. — We all want to be happy. For most of us, we easily remember the happiness of our childhoods when our parents took care of us and worried about all the big problems. Our biggest problems back then were the perceived “unfairness” of losing at a game of kickball, going to bed much earlier than we believed necessary, or not being allowed to go see a movie our classmates were all going to see.

As we got older, we may have believed a particular grade given to us by our teacher was unfair. Older yet, and we blamed our girlfriend for “stealing” a boyfriend. We certainly all remember our parents not allowing us to do some things our friends were doing. I can still remember my mother’s favorite response when I complained that my friend was allowed to go wherever or do whatever. She would ask, “Well if she jumped off a bridge, would you?” That used to just infuriate me! Back then, freedom was the path to happiness for many a teenager.

Once I was in college and living in the girls’ dorm, I had a lot more freedom. I could go out every night of the week if I wanted to as long as I was back in the dorm by10 o’clock — midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. I could go to any movie I wanted to see; there was no one telling me what was acceptable behavior. Truth be told, however, I was very good at giving myself boundaries and setting up a schedule that would allow me enough study time to meet my goals. I was that typical first-born child driven to succeed. I had a vision of my future and was not opposed to putting in the long hours of work and study it would take to fulfill that vision. I went through final exams with mononucleosis. I did not realize it at the time and had planned to work two jobs that summer — the college library during the day and waitressing in the evenings.

Those summer employment plans fell through as I ended up sleeping for two weeks straight. I woke up to eat the meals my mother brought to me in bed. Thankfully, they held my job open for me at the college library. As it turned out, getting sick and losing the waitress job was the key to all my future happiness. I worked all day, but my evenings and weekends were open to have some fun. Because of that free time, I went out with my girlfriends one Friday night to a teen bar in Oshkosh and met my future husband. He asked me to dance because I just happened to be taller than my girlfriend … and the rest is history.

My husband was the one who taught me to recognize and appreciate the smaller moments of joy along the way to a deeper happiness. In those early years of our life together, if there was a difficult way to do something, we seemed to find it. We had our first baby before we finished college. I stayed home and worked evenings while my husband finished his degree. We both worked weekends while his parents took care of our first son. I will never forget our first night in our first apartment. The kitchen table and chairs, along with our bedroom dresser, came from his parents. The coffee table was made for us by my brother in his high school industrial arts class, and the little TV that sat on it came from my husband’s grandparent’s back porch. The sofa and chair in our living room had come from my grandmother’s parlor on the farm, and the end tables were TV trays from his parent’s attic. My mother had bought the baby crib, and wedding money had been enough to buy our bed. We had done our first grocery shopping, and his parents had just left when we heard a knock on the door. We opened it, and there stood his dad with a case of celebratory beer. As we sat on the sofa and drank a bottle, my husband looked around and with immense satisfaction in his voice said, “And just think … it’s all ours!”

I love that story, for it says everything about how my husband always looked on the bright side. He taught me to do the same. There was a tremendous amount of joy in that small moment because of his perspective — always optimistic and able to find bright spots in the most challenging of times. Our early years of marriage were a series of joyful moments as we made our way to a deeper true and lasting happiness.

True happiness can take years to build, but when we recognize the smaller moments of joy along the way, the journey becomes easier. Noticing and experiencing joy in our daily lives is a fun and illuminating practice. Some say individual moments of joy are actually the essence of the abiding happiness we seek. Over time, acknowledging and savoring the joy we find in the little things can help us build a happy, grateful and full life.

The following quotes are from people who have found this to be true.

— “Perfect happiness is a beautiful sunset, the giggle of a grandchild, the first snowfall. It’s the little things that make happy moments, not the grand events. Joy comes in sips, not gulps.” — Sharon Draper, American children’s writer and educator

— “I still get wildly enthusiastic about little things… I play with the leaves. I skip down the street and run against the wind.” — Leo Buscaglia, American author and motivational speaker

— “In the sweetness of friendship, let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures. For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.” — Khalil Gibran, writer and poet

— “The things that I see as I walk along the streets — a little flower that blooms in May, a lovely sunset at the end of day, someone helping a stranger along the way — that’s heaven to me.” — Sam Cooke, American singer-songwriter

— “The sun looks down on nothing half so good as a household laughing together over a meal, or two friends talking over a pint of beer, or a man alone reading a book that interests him.” — C.S. Lewis, British writer

— “When you get the perfect parking space, hear your favorite song on the radio, approach a light that turns green, or find an empty seat on the bus or train, say thank you. These are all good things that you are receiving from life.” — Rhonda Byrne, author of self-help books

— “I am convinced that we, as adults, must constantly cling to, affirm, and celebrate with our children those things we love; sunsets, laughter, the taste of a good meal, the warmth of a hickory fire shared with real friends, the joy of discovery and accomplishment, the constant surprises of life.” — Eliot Wigginton, historian

— “I don’t have to take a trip around the world or be on a yacht in the Mediterranean to have happiness. I can find it in the little things, like looking out into my backyard and seeing deer in the fields.” — Queen Latifah

As you go through life building a future, remember the insights embodied in the quotations above. It is a fine thing to have a vision for our life and to work hard to fulfill our dreams and goals, but sometimes we miss the little bits and pieces of joy that life has to offer each day. As Ralph Waldo Emerson expressed so well … “Many eyes go through the meadow, but few see the flowers in it.”

——

NURSING HOMES/SENIOR LIVING FACILITIES

Freeman Nursing and Rehabilitation Community

Kingsford

906-774-1530

They welcome anyone who would like to entertain the residents. Volunteers are also needed to help with crafts and other activities.

On the third Tuesday of every month at 2 p.m. they host a Memory Cafe – a fun hour to spend with others. For more information, contact Jaime Hathaway at jlhathaway@protonmail.com. The program runs on donations.

Sunday: Catholic Mass on TV, 10 a.m.; Strong Tower Church, 1 p.m.; coloring.

Monday: Room visits, 10 a.m.; small group in activities room, 11:30 a.m.; card club, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Nails, 10 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Movie in the dining room, 10 a.m.; crafts. 1:30 p.m.

Thursday: Resident council meeting, 10 a.m.; bunny visit, 11 a.m.; crafts, 1:30 p.m.

Friday: Room visits, 10 a.m.; sing along, 11:30 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Word search, 10 a.m.; family time, 2 p.m.; “Weakest Link” on PBS, 7 p.m.

Iron County Medical Care Facility

Crystal Falls

906-874-1501

Sunday: Room visits, 8:30 a.m.; high rollers, 9:30 a.m.; chair exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 12:30 p.m.; bingorama, 2 p.m.

Monday: Memory books, 9:30; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; Sunshine Club, 2:30 p.m.; music trivia, 6 p.m.

Tuesday: Just friends, 9 a.m.; book club, 9:30 a.m.; balloon toss, 10:45 a.m.; travel film, 1:30 p.m.; smart shoppers, 2 p.m.; Western movie, 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Coffee social/storytelling, 9:30 a.m.; Catholic Mass, 10 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; Dan’s songs for seniors, 2 p.m.; night bingo, 6:15 p.m.

Thursday: Puzzler, 9:30 a.m.; bowling, 10 a.m.; Bible study, 1 p.m.; wildlife film, 1:30 p.m.; happy hour with Jim, 2 p.m.

Friday: Crafts with Bea, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; mystery ride, 1 p.m.; throwaway bingo, 2 p.m.; Activity Council, 3 p.m.; romance movie, 6 p.m.

Saturday: Room-to-room bingo, 10 a.m.; geri-gym, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; social hour, 2 p.m.; musical movie, 6 p.m.

Optalis Healthcare

Kingsford

906-774-4805

Sunday: Devotional, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; games or movie, 1 p.m.

Monday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; daily chronicle, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; mystery prize bingo, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Resident council meeting, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; bean bag toss, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; daily chronicle, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; mystery prize bingo, 2 p.m.

Thursday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; daily chronicle, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; spring watercolor painting, 2 p.m.

Friday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; daily chronicle, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; mystery prize bingo, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Manicures, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; craft or games, 1 p.m.

Maryhill Manor Nursing Home

Niagara, Wis.

715-251-3172

Families are allowed to attend activities and are encouraged to join in.

Sunday: Coffee social, 10 a.m.; delivery of communion, 12:30 p.m.; movie and popcorn, 1:30 p.m.; church service, 2:30 p.m.

Monday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; pamper and polish, 10 a.m.; board games, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; silly crafters — stamping Easter cards, 10 a.m.; bowling, 2 p.m.; stations of the cross, 3 p.m.

Wednesday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; silly crafters — Easter eggs, 10 a.m.; resident council, 1 p.m.; jokereno, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.

Thursday: Rosary, 9 a.m.; Catholic Mass, 9:30 a.m.; mugs and muffins, 10 a.m.; silly crafters — paper plate rainbows, 2 p.m.; Lenten reflections, 3 p.m.

Friday: Take a trip with a road map, 10 a.m.; happy hour with Ray and Mindy, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Board games, 10 a.m.; prize bingo, 2 p.m.

Northshore Healthcare

Florence, Wis.

715-528-4833

No information was available.

Victorian Pines

Iron Mountain

906-774-5158

Sunday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; Bible study, 1:30 p.m.

Monday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; bingo and refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; trivia and refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Wednesday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; bingo and refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Thursday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Friday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Saturday: Juice time, 10 a.m.

Pinecrest Medical

Care Facility

Powers

906-497-5244

Sunday: Morning visits and reality orientation; bunco, 10 a.m.; trivia, 11:15 a.m.; ’60s quiz and snacks, 1:30 p.m.; church services, 2:30 p.m.: coloring pages; daily chronicles.

Monday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; what’s the verdict, 11 a.m.; bowling, 1:45 p.m.; Bible studies, 3 p.m.; book club, 4 p.m.; movie, 6 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Tuesday: Morning visits and reality orientation, open room, 9:30 a.m.; juice hour, 11 a.m.; April Fools’ Day bingo, 1:45 p.m.; Yahtzee, 4 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Wednesday: Morning visits and reality orientation, reading with North Central Elementary students, 10 a.m.; what’s the verdict, 11 a.m.; human slots with UP Hospice and Coria; kings n’ corner, 4 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Thursday: Morning visits and reality orientation, Catholic Mass, 10:30 a.m.; catastrophe, 11 a.m.; bingo, 1:30 p.m.; table talk, 4 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Friday: Morning visits and reality orientation, open room, 9:30 a.m.; picture this, 11 a.m.; happy hour with Jon Simpson, 2 p.m.; book club, 4 p.m.; game night, 6 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Saturday: Morning visits and reality orientation, exercise group, 10 a.m.; juice hour, 11 a.m.; Bible studies, 11 a.m.; bingo, 1:45 p.m.; one-to-one visits, 3 p.m.; activity packets.

SENIOR CENTERS

Amasa Center

906-822-7284

Menu for the week —

Tuesday: Cheese ravioli with marinara sauce, Italian vegetables, garlic bread.

Wednesday: Scalloped potatoes with ham, peas, dinner roll, brownie.

Thursday: Chicken and wild rice casserole, carrots, croissant.

Breen Center

Kingsford

906-774-5110

Dine-in eating Monday through Thursday at noon, salad bar at 11:30 a.m. Carryout meals are available. Soup and salad bar are also available. Friday and night meals are on hold indefinitely. Menu for the week —

Monday: Lemon chicken and rice, vegetable, applesauce.

Tuesday: Deluxe hamburger, seasoned potato wedges, baked beans.

Wednesday: Cranberry maple chicken, seasoned rice pilaf, carrots, pudding cup.

Thursday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, candied carrots.

Note: All meals served with a choice of skim milk or juice and fruit.

Crystal Falls Center

Head Cook: Elizabeth Peryam

Assistant Cooks: Debbie Bigalke and Shannon Stapleton

906-875-6709

The center is serving meals for dine-in or takeout – call the center by 1 p.m. to make reservations or place an order. All food purchased from local vendors. All dinners include warm vegetables, salad bar, soup, homemade desserts, coffee, tea or milk. Salad bar begins at 4:30 p.m. and dinner is served at 5 p.m. Pickup for takeout meals is 4 p.m. – call ahead and leave a message with a phone number. A volunteer will deliver meals to homebound citizens only. Menu for the week —

Monday: Chicken Alfredo, garlic bread.

Tuesday: Barbecue chicken, rice pilaf.

Wednesday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy.

Home-delivered meals (prepared by DICSA – independent from above menu) —

Monday: Biscuits and sausage gravy, oven roasted potatoes, applesauce.

Tuesday: Layered chicken casserole, cauliflower, croissant.

Wednesday: Blackened fish, buttered noodles, four-way vegetables.

Thursday: Hamburger gravy over mashed potatoes, carrots, dinner roll, Jell-O with fruit.

Dickinson-Iron Community Services Agency

DICSA

Iron Mountain

906-774-2256, ext. 230 or 235

This is a Meals on Wheels program only. Home-delivered meals only — call to make arrangements. Menu for the week —

Monday: Biscuits and sausage gravy, oven roasted potatoes, applesauce.

Tuesday: Layered chicken casserole, cauliflower, croissant.

Wednesday: Blackened fish, buttered noodles, four-way vegetables.

Thursday: Hamburger gravy over mashed potatoes, carrots, dinner roll, Jell-O with fruit.

Friday: Brats, baked macaroni and cheese, acorn, pudding parfait.

Note: All meals include a choice of skim milk, juice, or no beverage.

For more information, call Christine McMahon at 906-774-2256.

Crystal Lake Center

Iron Mountain

906-828-1776

Schedule for the week:

Monday: Les Artistes art club, noon to 4 p.m.; woodcarvers, starting at 9 a.m.

Tuesday: Cards — Pinochle and cribbage, noon to 4 p.m.; Happy Quilters, noon to 3 p.m.

Wednesday: Bingo, 1 to 3 p.m.; cards cost 25 cents with 10 games played.

Thursday: Spinning Spools quilting, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Friday: Cards — smear, noon to 4 p.m.

Felch Center

906-246-3559

Open for dine-in eating — call for serving times. Carryout meals also available.

Menu for the week —

Monday: Brats, macaroni and cheese, potato wedges, pudding.

Tuesday: White chili with beans, hard roll, crackers, dessert bars.

Wednesday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, Brussel sprouts, pudding parfait.

Note: All meals served with skim milk or juice.

Home-delivered meals —

Monday: Biscuits and sausage gravy, oven roasted potatoes, applesauce.

Tuesday: Layered chicken casserole, cauliflower, croissant.

Wednesday: Blackened fish, buttered noodles, four-way vegetables.

Aging and Disability Resource Center

Florence County, Wis.

715-528-4890

Menu for the week —

Monday: Chop suey, Oriental vegetables, rice, fruit salad.

Tuesday: Tater tot casserole, cream corn, fruit, cookies. (Note: Florence Center will be closed for elections.)

Wednesday: Liver and onions or chicken breast, mashed potatoes, candied carrots, fruited Jell-O.

Thursday: Beef stroganoff with mushrooms, buttered noodles, broccoli, fruit.

Friday: Brat on a bun, macaroni and cheese, baked beans, tomato and cucumber salad, fruit.

Note: All meals served with whole grain bread, butter and milk.

Aurora-Hillcrest Dining Center

Serving at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday. For reservations, call 715-589-4491.

Florence Community Center

Serving at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday. For reservations, call 715-528-4261.

Fence Town Hall

Serving at noon Wednesday only. For reservations, call 715-589-4491.

Tipler Town Hall

Serving at noon on second Thursday only. For reservations, call 715-528-4261.

Hermansville Center

Coordinator: Barb Peters

906-498-7735

Center is open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Meals are served through the Menominee-Delta-Schoolcraft Community Action Agency in Escanaba. Meals-On-Wheels program is available for those who are homebound.

Monday: Hamburger gravy over mashed potatoes, green beans, tropical fruit, whole wheat bread.

Tuesday: Pork chop suey over rice, Oriental vegetables, Oriental cole slaw, pineapple tidbits.

Wednesday: Chicken noodle casserole, mixed vegetables, corn, tropical fruit, whole wheat bread.

Thursday: Bratwurst on a bun, oven potatoes, peas and pearl onions, diced pears.

Friday: Vegetable lasagna, Brussel sprouts, side salad, warm cinnamon peaches, whole wheat breadstick.

Iron River Center

906-265-6134

Salad bar begins at 11 a.m., with meal served at 11:30 a.m. No night meals. Carryout meals also available. Menu for the week —

Monday: Mushroom and Swiss burger, oven-baked fries, baked beans.

Tuesday: Hamburger gravy over mashed potatoes, carrots, dinner roll, pudding cup.

Wednesday: Pancakes, sausage, applesauce, yogurt.

Thursday: Cheese ravioli with marinara sauce, Italian vegetables, garlic breadstick.

All meals are served with choice of skim milk or juice and fruit.

Niagara Senior Center/Cafe

715-251-1603

Dinner is served at noon Monday through Thursday. Reservations are required one day in advance. Suggested donation is $5 for those older than 60 and $11 for 60 and younger. Bingo played on most Wednesdays. Transportation is available.

Tuesday: Beef tips with gravy, mashed potatoes, Brussel sprouts, wheat dinner roll, apple crisp.

Wednesday: Spaghetti with meat sauce, spinach salad with tomatoes, garlic bread.

Thursday: Seasoned chicken fillet, mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, pears, wheat bread.

The center will have bingo on Tuesdays and Wednesdays this month.

Norway Center

Director: Alicia Rochon

906-563-8716

Dine-in eating begins at 11:15 a.m. Takeout meals are available for pick-up from 11 to 11:30 a.m. Let staff know if planning to dine in or pick up.

Menu for the week —

Monday: Liver or burger, onions, mashed potatoes and gravy, glazed carrots, pudding.

Tuesday: Italian sausage roll-up, breadsticks, cauliflower, cookies.

Wednesday: Pepper steak and rice with Oriental vegetables, apricots, donut holes.

Thursday: Meatballs, mashed potatoes with gravy, Brussel sprouts, fruit cocktail and Jell-O.

Birthdays and bingo on second Thursday.

Center activity schedule:

Mondays and Thursdays — Exercise at 10 a.m. and card bingo after the meal.

Monday through Thursday — Card game 101 from noon to 3 p.m. Call Joe at 906-563-5587 for information.

Tuesdays — Quilting and sewing.

Wednesdays — Ceramics and crocheting.

Last Monday of each month — Book club at 9 a.m.

Second Thursday of each month — Birthdays and bingo.

Sagola Center

906-542-3273

Dine-in meals served. Salad bar opens at 11 a.m. and meal is served at 11:30 a.m. Carryout meals also available.

Menu for the week —

Tuesday: Sweet and sour chicken with fried rice, Oriental vegetables, fortune cookies.

Wednesday: Deluxe hamburger, seasoned potato wedges, baked beans.

Thursday: Chicken and spaghetti, Italian blend vegetables, bread, Jell-O with fruit.

All meals served with an option of milk, juice or no beverage.

Home-delivered meals —

Monday: Biscuits and sausage gravy, oven-roasted potatoes, applesauce.

Tuesday: Layered chicken casserole, cauliflower, croissant.

Wednesday: Blackened fish, buttered noodles, four-way vegetables.