AS her official Facebook page's content writer, I have probably read and written hundreds of items about her. The routine, however, does not reach any point of boredom. Astoundingly, every aspect of her life constantly leads to finding something invaluable. I was running through our archives for her upcoming 95th birthday this May 29 when I stumbled upon her handwritten inspirational thoughts on happiness that are worth sharing here.

Celia Diaz Laurel, a patroness of the arts, mother, wife, former second lady and civic worker, believed that a happy life does not mean one that is devoid of sadness. Crisis, she said, comes every now and then, and we could never escape or really prepare for it.