NIAGARA, Wis. — “Between life and death there is a library,” she said. “And within that library, the shelves go on forever. Every book provides a chance to try on another life you could have lived. To see how things would be if you had made other choice … Would you have done anything different, if you had the chance to undo your regrets?”

That very intriguing question is asked in a book I recently read for my book club. Titled “The Midnight Library” and written by Matt Haig, it asks and helps answer that question as we experience a very unusual library along with the main character. Nora, finding herself depressed, miserable, and completely alone in her current life — after losing both her job and her cat — has decided to commit suicide. Instead of dying, she finds herself in an “in between” stage of life that takes the shape of a library with miles of shelves loaded with thousands of books.

We learn that each book represents a life Nora could have led. She is guided by the librarian from her past, Mrs. Elm, who encourages her to choose different volumes to see how her life might have progressed had she made different decisions and choices along the way. So, Nora chooses 10 different books and experiences 10 different versions of her life. She learns very valuable lessons as a result of each dive into one of her previous lives. Let’s spend a little time examining those life lessons.

1. Every life is a mixture of good and bad, of fulfillment and disappointment, of happiness and sorrow. No one is happy all of the time or experiences success in every endeavor. When we find that our lives are not working, we need to ask ourselves why and not be afraid to look for the answer. We may have to work through many attempts before we find the one that works and sets us back onto a good path. Think of life like a game that is not over unless we quit playing it … unless we stop living it. We need to find a way to keep moving forward one step at a time … like moving chess pieces on a board.

2. We do not travel our life alone. We have parents, siblings, spouses, maybe children, and friends whose lives are impacted by us being in them. Consequently, the decisions we make and the actions we take in our own life affect the lives of others. So, we need to take that into consideration as we build our life. Yet, at the same time, we must live a life that we have chosen for ourselves. We cannot try to please everyone else who is a part of our life at the expense of our own happiness. It is a delicate balancing act.

3. Sometimes the only way to learn what we want is to live through the lack of it; in other words, to experience sorrow. It is difficult to predict what exactly will make us happy so often we will be faced with disappointment as we try different paths in our lives. We try different careers, and may fail at a few, until we find the right fit. We experience different relationships, and a few painful break-ups, until we find the right life partner. If we fear failure and avoid necessary pain, we run the risk of settling for “second best” and never experience true joy.

4. It is important that we realize that solitude is not always loneliness. Life is full of noise — activity and people — that demand our attention. Quiet provides the freedom from distraction that is needed for us to get in touch with our feelings and to have time to think. Quiet allows us to connect with ourselves; it breeds self-discovery. We need time to take stock of our lives and to determine if we are following the right path … and to honestly answer the question, “Am I happy?” The answer to that one question will lead us to decisions that can change the course of our lives.

5. Life can be successful without being filled with achievement. We will not all be CEOs for Fortune 500 companies. We will not all be scientists who discover the next life-saving cure. Nor will we be accomplished musicians or actors or published authors … or sports figures or celebrities of any kind. We can be happy without accomplishing anything more than “someone to share my life with and careers that pay us enough to cover all of our living expenses with a little left over each month for some fun.” That was my life goal at the age of 20, and I can honestly say that is exactly what I got … and have been quite content with it. I also have to admit that it took much longer than the “five-year plan” my young mind had imagined!

6. Everything in life involves risk. As Robert Frost reminds us when he writes, “Two roads diverged in a yellow wood … and I took the road less traveled, and that has made all the difference.” We cannot be afraid to try a different path to reach our goals. Different routes work better for some than for others. The path we select may be bumpier or have more curves, but that does not mean we will not reach a satisfactory destination. The key is to keep traveling until we do.

7. Never underestimate the big importance of small things. Each time a decision is made, the course of our life changes. We are all familiar with life’s big decisions: the choice of a life partner, the decision to have children — or not, career selection, even the city in which we decide to live can be life changing. But small choices can lead to life changing moments. My husband and I often think back to the night we met. Had I been shorter than my friend, my future husband would not have asked me to dance the night we just happened to meet at a teen bar in Oshkosh, Wis. — halfway between our hometowns of Menasha, Wis., and Ripon, Wis. That simple detail changed both our lives forever.

8. No life is perfect, and you do not need perfection to live a happy life. But you do need the potential and the time to work your way to a life that is satisfying. A good life is possible only when you put in the work to build it for yourself. No one can give you a happy life.

9. We cannot give up or fool ourselves into thinking it is too late, or we are too old, to build a happy life. As long as we are alive, there continues to be possibility in our future. As the librarian so clearly explains to Nora in this wise and wonderful book, “Life waits around long enough for you to see it… as long as you are alive, there is potential and possibility … and time to pursue living.”

Finally, it is good to remember that happiness means different things for different people. Just because someone’s life doesn’t look like yours doesn’t mean he or she is not happy … or that, somehow, you do not measure up because your life doesn’t look like theirs. Everyone has a different definition of happiness. The important thing is that we all manage to find it … and maybe help a few others find theirs along the way.

——

NURSING HOMES/SENIOR LIVING FACILITIES

Freeman Nursing and Rehabilitation Community

Kingsford

906-774-1530

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

Sunday: Church on TV/resident self-activities, 10 a.m.

Monday: Dining room fun, 10 a.m.; dining music, 11:45 a.m.; card club, 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Room visits, 10 a.m.; Pastor Sam, 10:45 a.m.; trivia, 11:45 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Comedy time with therapy, 11 a.m.; dining music, 11:45 a.m.; movie, “Dirty Dancing,” popcorn, 1:30 p.m.

Thursday: Room visits, 10 a.m.; dining trivia, 11:45 a.m.; racing of our leaping frog, wear green.

Friday: Spa hour, 10 a.m.; dining music, 11:45 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Resident choice; color a nice picture, 1 p.m.; CNBC “Undercover Boss,” 7 p.m.

Iron County Medical Care Facility

Crystal Falls

906-874-1501

Sunday: Room visits, 9 a.m.; “Name That Tune,” 10 a.m.; chair exercise, 11 a.m.; afternoon matinee with popcorn, 1:30 p.m.

Monday: Cooking, 9:30 a.m.; DT luncheon, 11:30 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; Sunshine Club, 2:30 p.m.; high rollers, 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Just friends, 9:30 a.m.; hymn sing, 10 a.m.; mystery ride, 1 p.m.; travel film, 1:30 p.m.; spa day, 1:30 p.m.; action movie, 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Coffee social/“Animal Kingdom,” 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; smart shoppers, 2 p.m.; night bingo, 6 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, 2 p.m.

Friday: Crafts, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; penny ante, 2 p.m.; activity council, 3 p.m.; musical movie, 6 p.m.

Saturday: Room to room bingo/you be the judge, 9:30 a.m.; geri-gym, 10:45 a.m.; social hour, 2 p.m.; romance movie, 6 p.m.

Optalis Healthcare

(formerly Manor Care/ProMedica)

Kingsford

906-774-4805

Sunday: File and style, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; hangman, 1 p.m.

Monday: Wet your whistle, 9 a.m.; exercise, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Devotional, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; movie and snacks in the dining room, 1:30 p.m.

Wednesday: Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; flower craft, 1:30 p.m.

Thursday: Wet your whistle, 9 a.m.; stretch it out, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; birthday party, 2 p.m.

Friday: Chips and chatter, 9 a.m.; compliments, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Devotional, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; Flip-o, 1 p.m.

Maryhill Manor Nursing Home

Niagara, Wis.

715-251-3172

Sunday: Hot cocoa/Skip-Bo, 10 a.m.; delivery of communion, 12:30 p.m.; movie and snacks, 2 p.m.

Monday: Pamper and polish, 10 a.m.; shopping outing, Dollar General, 1 p.m.; silly crafters, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; penny ante, 10 a.m.; “Name That Tune,” 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; Hedbanz game, 10 a.m.; jokereno, 2 p.m.

Thursday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; leap year time capsule, 10 a.m.; parachute, 2 p.m.

Northshore Healthcare

Florence, Wis.

715-528-4833

Sunday: Independent activities.

Monday: Crochet/knitting club, 10 a.m.; group puzzle, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Social/hot chocolate, 10 a.m.; manicure, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Exercise, 10 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Thursday: Pastor Jason, 10 a.m.; magazine scavenger hunt, 2 p.m.

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; church services, 10 a.m.; trivia, 11:15 a.m.; movie, 1:30 p.m.

Monday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; food council, 10:45, 10 a.m.; resident council, 11 a.m.; hangman, 11 a.m.; karaoke, 2 p.m.; short stories, 4 p.m.

Tuesday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; table talk, 11 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; person centered visits, 4 p.m.

Wednesday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; Pictionary, 11 a.m.; bean bag toss, 2 p.m.; rummy, 4 p.m.

Thursday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; who-what-where, 11 a.m.; bingo/February birthday party, 2 p.m.; sensory, 4 p.m.

Friday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; pondering prompts/lunch outing, 11 a.m.; crafts, 2 p.m.; bologna (card game), 4 p.m.

Saturday: Morning visits and reality orientation; bingo, 10:30 a.m.; piano recitals, 2 p.m.; activity packets

SENIOR CENTERS

Alpha-Mastodon Center

906-875-3315

The center at 415 Main St. is open four days a week, serving soup and sandwich meal from noon to 1 p.m. Thursdays, fish fries from 4 to 7 p.m. Fridays, pizzas from 4 to 7 p.m. Saturdays and dinner from 2 to 3 p.m. Sundays.

Amasa Center

906-822-7284

Menu for the week —

Tuesday: Deluxe chef salad, cottage cheese, boiled egg, pudding cup.

Wednesday: Rigatoni with meat sauce, Italian blend vegetables, garlic toast.

Thursday: Roasted pork loin, mashed potatoes with gravy, green beans, dinner roll.

Breen Center

Kingsford

906-774-5110

Open for dine-in eating Monday through Thursday, serving at noon. Carryout meals are available. Soup and salad bar are also available. Friday and night meals are on hold indefinitely. Menu for the week —

Monday: Chicken stir fry, fried rice, fresh fruit.

Tuesday: Spaghetti, Italian sausage, green beans, garlic toast.

Wednesday: Liver or bratwurst, roasted garlic potatoes, asparagus.

Thursday: Smothered cube steak, mashed potatoes, wax beans.

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

Crystal Falls Center

Head Cook: Sterling Peryam

Assistant Cook: Bitsy Peryam

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 is 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 phone number. A volunteer will deliver meals to homebound citizens only.

Menu for the week —

Monday: Pork chops, mashed potatoes.

Tuesday: Breaded chicken sandwich, macaroni and cheese.

Wednesday: Spaghetti, Italian sausage, garlic bread.

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

Monday: Sloppy Joes, tater tots with cheese, green beans, fresh fruit.

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

Wednesday: Chicken noodle soup, spinach side salad, biscuit, Jell-O cup.

Thursday: Pasty, mixed vegetables, beets.

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: Sloppy Joes, tater tots with cheese, green beans, fresh fruit.

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

Wednesday: Chicken noodle soup, spinach side salad, biscuit, Jell-O cup.

Thursday: Pasty, mixed vegetables, beets.

Friday: Deluxe chef salad, hard-boiled egg, cottage cheese, fresh fruit.

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: French toast bake, hash browns, sausage.

Tuesday: Fried chicken, mashed potatoes with gravy, winter blend vegetables.

Wednesday: Deluxe chef salad, cottage cheese, pineapple.

Note: All meals served with skim milk or juice.

Home-delivered meals —

Monday: Sloppy Joes, tater tots with cheese, green beans, fresh fruit.

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

Wednesday: Chicken noodle soup, spinach side salad, biscuit, Jell-O cup.

Aging and Disability Resource Center

Florence County, Wis.

715-528-4890

Director: Tiffany White

Menu for the week —

Monday: Barbecue chicken, baked potato, baked beans, fruit.

Tuesday: Hamburger soup with vegetables, cheese sandwich, fruit.

Wednesday: Liver and onions or chicken breast, au gratin potatoes, green bean medley, fruit, cinnamon roll sheet cake.

Thursday: Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes, peas and carrots, fruit.

Friday: Creamy tomato soup, tuna salad on a croissant, dark green salad, fruit.

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

Fence Center/Town Hall

715-336-2980

RSVP for meal at 855-528-2372

Same as ADRC menu, served at noon on Wednesday only.

Florence Community Center/Town Hall

RSVP for meal at 715-528-4261

Same as ADRC menu, served at 11:30 a.m., Monday through Thursday.

Reservations for a meal on site need to be made 48 hours in advance by calling the above number.

Tipler Town Hall

RSVP for meals at 715-674-2320

Same as ADRC menu, served at noon on second Thursday only.

Hillcrest Senior Dining Center, Aurora

RSVP for meals at 715-589-4491

Same as ADRC menu, served at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday.

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, corn, applesauce, whole wheat bread.

Tuesday: Chop suey with vegetables over rice, Far East vegetable blend, peach cobbler.

Wednesday: Chicken marsala over garlic mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, sunshine cake, whole wheat dinner roll.

Thursday: Cream of potato soup, tuna salad sandwich, whole wheat sandwich bread, three beans salad, fruit cocktail.

Friday: Tuna pasta salad, tomato basil soup, fruit cup, breadstick.

Iron River Center

906-265-6134

Open for dine-in eating, serving at 11 a.m. Salad bar is available. No night meals at this time. Carryout meals also available. Menu for the week —

Monday: Beef stroganoff over noodles, winter blend vegetables, dinner roll.

Tuesday: Boiled dinner, ham and cheese slider, warm spiced pears.

Wednesday: Chef salad, cottage cheese, hard-boiled egg, fresh fruit.

Thursday: Meat ravioli with marinara sauce, zucchini bake, garlic bread.

Niagara Senior Center/Cafe

715-251-1603

The center is open, and dinner is served at noon on 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: Cheeseburger casserole, carrots, biscuit, cherry crisp.

Wednesday: Chicken filet, rice pilaf, mixed vegetables, fruit fluff.

Thursday: Cube steak, mushroom gravy, mashed potatoes, vegetables, bread, cookie.

Join us for bingo on Tuesdays and Wednesdays this month.

Norway Center

Director: Joyce Olesky

Head Cook: Brian Gutkowski

906-563-8716

Open for dine-in eating beginning at 11:15 a.m. Salad bar is available from 10:30 to 11 a.m. Takeout meals will remain 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: Roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetables.

Tuesday: Biscuits and gravy, hash brown potatoes, sausage.

Wednesday: Spaghetti and meatballs, garlic bread, cauliflower.

Thursday: Chicken cordon bleu, baked potato, vegetable.

All meals include milk, juice, fruit, bread and dessert.

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

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

Tuesday: Philly steak sandwich with peppers, potato wedges, creamy coleslaw.

Wednesday: Smoked sausage, cabbage, buttered peas, yogurt cup.

Thursday: Cheese manicotti, Italian blend vegetables, garlic toast.

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

Home-delivered meals —

Monday: Sloppy Joes, tater tots with cheese, green beans, fresh fruit.

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

Wednesday: Chicken noodle soup, spinach side salad, biscuit, Jell-O cup.