Happiness is a success gauge

Tomorrow is not guaranteed, live life by design

- with WARREN SHUTE

Time is precious, make it count.

This week marks the fifth anniversary of my column, and I write it with a heavy heart. Sadly, my father, Howard Shute, who I've mentioned here before, passed away this week, aged 100 years and two months.

I feel incredibly fortunate to have reached 51 with both parents still in my life. They were healthy, loving, and a true inspiration, and while reaching 100 means one should expect that day to come, if you've lost a loved one, you'll know it makes it no easier.

My father was the heart and soul of our family. Born in 1925 near Boston, Massachusetts, US, he lit up every room he entered. Always upbeat, always positive.