“Hope costs nothing. ” 
Sidonie Gabrielle Colette

Sidonie Gabrielle Colette died on August 3, 1954, at the age of 81, in her Paris apartment at the Palais Royal.  A legend within her lifetime, thousands of mourners attended her state funeral.  Her writings have stood the test of time.  Even today, Colette’s thoughts continue to shape the way in which we view aging, authenticity of relationships, and the acceptance of our role in the world of nature.  She recognized that joy and grief were interwoven within the human experience when she wrote, “look for a long time at what pleases you, and longer still at what pains you.”  Perhaps her greatest gift was her belief that we could be happy.

 “Be happy. It’s one way of being wise.” 

Sidonie Gabrielle Colette