My editor received this story via email, and we thought it was well-worth passing on to you. When we originally ran it, there was no author listed on the piece. As it turns out, it was written by NY Times best selling author Dan Clark, whose inspirational stories have touched literally millions of people.

Among other books, Mr. Clark is a co-author of "Chicken Soup for the College Soul: Inspiring and Humorous Stories About College," which has been called a "must-read" for college students in many reviews. The wonderful story below by Mr. Clark is one of the stories in this book.

With all the information on health and well-being we try to provide to you, you'll find that Rose's advice in the story below may be amongst the best of all.

By Dan Clark
From "Chicken Soup for the College Soul: Inspiring and Humorous Stories About College"

The first day of school our professor introduced himself to our chemistry class and challenged us to get to know someone we did not know. I stood up to look around when a gentle hand touched my shoulder. I turned around to find a wrinkled up older lady with a giant smile that lit her entire face up like a Christmas tree.

She said, "Hi handsome, my name is Rose. I am 87 years old. Do you want to get lucky?" I laughed and enthusiastically replied, "You incredible gorgeous babe, of course I do!" To which she gave me a big, squeezing, mighty hug!

"Why are you in college at your young innocent age?" I asked.

She kidded, "I'm here looking for a rich husband, you know, get married, have a couple of children, then retire and travel."

Hysterically laughing I begged her to be serious. Her answer was simple but profound. "I always dreamed of having a college degree and so I'm getting one!"

After class we walked to the student union building and shared a chocolate milkshake. It was obvious we were soul mates and we became instant friends. In fact, every day for the next three months, we left class together, walked to the union building and for at least an hour, I sat there in total mesmerized awe listening to this 'time machine' expound her wisdom and experience as she shared her life with me.

Over the course of the school year, Rose became a campus icon and generated attention everywhere she went. She loved to dress up and even occasionally wore mini skirts. Guys would whistle at her and she would always respond by flashing a little leg. In the third week of school she even got a tattoo that she loved to show off on her left shoulder. I teased her that I was hurt it didn't say 'Dan.' Of course it was a magnificent rose.

At the end of the semester we had Rose speak at our football banquet and I'll never forget what she taught us. She was introduced and stepped to the podium. As she began to deliver her prepared speech, she dropped her 3 x 5 cards on the floor. Frustrated and a bit embarrassed she leaned into the microphone and simply said, "I'm sorry I'm so jittery. I gave up beer for Lent and this whiskey is killing me! I'll never get my speech back together so let me just tell you what I know. As we laughed, she cleared her throat and began:

"We do not stop playing because we are old, we grow old because we stop playing. There are only four secrets to staying young, being happy and achieving success.

1. Carpe Diem with humor. Sieze each day with laughter.

2. You've got to have a dream. If you don't have a dream, how are you going to make a dream come true? When you lose your dreams, you die. That's why we have so many people walking around who are dead and they don't even know it!

3. There is a giant difference between growing older and growing up. If you are 19 years old and lie in bed for one full year, and don't do one productive thing, you will turn 20 years old. If I am 87 years old and stay in bed for a year I will turn 88. Whoop-de-do! Anybody can grow older. That doesn't take any talent or ability. The idea is to grow up by always finding the opportunity in change.

4. Leave no regrets. The elderly usually don't have regrets for what we did, but rather for things we did not do. The only people who fear death are those with regrets.

At years end, Rose finished her college degree she had begun all those years ago. One week after graduation Rose died peacefully in her sleep. Over 2,000 college students attended her funeral in tribute to the wonder woman who taught by example that it's never too late to be all you can possibly be!