This is not a personal anecdote, but it's an inspiring look at a wise elder of our time.

When Anwar Sadat, president of Egypt, came to Israel seeking peace, he was introduced to Golda Meir, who he had always derisively referred to as "that old woman."

Meir said that they must continue to negotiate for peace. "Yes, it must go on between us so that even an old lady like me will live to see the day!"

Sadat began to laugh.

"I know you always called me 'that old lady.'" She held out a gift to Sadat, who had become a grandfather for the first time a few days previously." Well, as a mother and a grandmother, I give this to you."

In 1978 she celebrated her eightieth birthday, saying,

"My dear, I think it's like this. Old age is like an airplane flying in a storm. Once you're in it, there's nothing you can do. You can't stop the plane, you can't stop a storm, you can't stop time. So you might as well take it easy, with wisdom."

On Dec. 8, 1987 Golda Meir died, and her well-kept secret was revealed to the world. She had been suffering from leukemia for the previous 12 years.