Posted: Apr. 22, 2017 6:05 pm

When I was a kid, I wanted to be ... I don't know that I had any one career in my mind. I went through several phases from wanting to be a teacher, a nurse, an astronaut and a zookeeper among other things.

What would you rather be doing right now? I'd rather be somewhere on a beach with my family, relaxing and reading a book.

Shhhhhh! Don't tell anyone that ... I'm a rather shy person. I really don't like talking in front of large groups of people. I'd rather listen.

Other than your wedding day and/or the birth of your children, what was your proudest moment? I'm always proud when I see my loved ones succeed.

It really stinks when ... people do something mean. I don't like to see people get their feelings hurt or bullied. Another pet peeve is when people tell you they will do something and then don't follow through.

What word in the dictionary would your face be next to? I don't know that I'm the right one to ask this, but here goes. I try to live by the Golden Rule and treat others as you would like to be treated. So I do try for kindness.

I always laugh when ... I hear my kids laugh. It's contagious.

Invite any three people, living or dead, to dinner. Who are they? I would invite Abraham Lincoln to dinner. I've always been interested in his life, and I would love to hear the story of his life from him. I would also invite one of our founding forefathers. I would love to hear the thoughts and goals they had for the country when they founded it and to hear what their thoughts are on how things are in this day and age. I guess a third person would be Marilyn Monroe. I don't know why, but she fascinates me. I would love to hear the secrets she has to tell.

At the end of a really long day at work, I like to ... listen to good music and zone out on the way home. Then when I get home, kick my shoes off and relax for a few minutes.

I would drop all my plans tonight if I had the chance to ... go to a white, sandy beach.

If someone gave me a million dollars, there is STILL no way I would ... leave my family and friends behind and forget about them.

America should be more concerned about ... There are so many things that are great about our country, but there are also things we need to be concerned about. We really need to make sure we are taking care of our elderly and our children. The elderly made this country what it is, and the children are our future and will make this country what it will be. It seems like the first programs that are cut are always the ones that affect the elderly and the children.

We also need to take better care of things in our own country rather than worrying so much about fixing others. For instance, we always want to help people who are hungry in other countries (who doesn't want to help someone in that situation?), but what about the people/children in our own country who are starving and homeless?

I'm OK if there's ever a national shortage of ... blankets and sheets. Of course, my husband will say it's clothes and shoes.

When I'm on the internet, I always go to ... I don't really get on the internet a lot.

What is the most useful piece of advice you have ever received? I don't know who told me this, but I think the best advice is to do unto others as you'd like done unto you. Always try to treat others how you want to be treated.

When I'm cruising down the road, I'm likely listening to ... It depends on my mood. Sometimes it's pop, sometimes country. Occasionally I relax to soft classical music and sometimes classic rock.

I always get sentimental when ... Babies and baby animals always bring out my softer side. I also get sentimental at times when some of our residents reminisce with me about their lives.

The older I get, the more I realize ... you never know from day to day what life will bring you. You just have to roll with the punches, do the best you can and enjoy as much as you can.

If I had one "do-over," I would ... go further with my education right after high school.

My favorite item of clothing is ... I don't really have a favorite item of clothing.

If I've learned anything at all ... it's you are never done learning. I continue to learn new things almost every day.

Cindy Gilbert, 44, is the admissions director at Good Samaritan Home and has worked for Good Sam for 26 years. She grew up in Quincy and the surrounding area. She married her high school sweetheart, Geoff, and they have two children, Nate and Natalie.

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Your Turn/Cindy Gilbert - Herald-Whig