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Visual Benedictions

Nostalgia. Reflection. Legacy.

  • Collections
  • About
  • Warm Thoughts Podcast
  • Vintage Photo Book
  • Home on the Prairie
  • Found Photo Freebie

Episode 267: I'm Free →

To some, Memorial Day means a day off from work, a three day weekend, opening day for the local pool, or the official start of the summer season. But for others, Memorial Day is a time to remember the dead, especially those who perished in America's wars. Memorial Day is said to have started in Waterloo, New York, when on May 5th, 1866 residents held a commemorative program and decorated the graves of those who died in the Civil War over time and as the United States fought more wars, Memorial Day, or "Decoration Day," as it is called in some areas, added the remembrance of those soldiers who died in World War I, World War II, the Korean conflict, the Vietnam War and Operation Desert Storm. Memorial Day is also a day of prayer for peace, as well as a patriotic day in which Americans display the flag.

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tags: Memorial Day, remembrance, American wars, Decoration Day, patriotic day, peace prayer, flag, ancestors, graves, flowers, freedom
categories: reflection, quote, memories, education, history, holiday, family, service
Tuesday 06.03.25
Posted by Trina Harger
 

Episode 266: A Young Mind →

During the month of May, many states host an annual event on the governor's conference on "Aging." At these conferences, older Americans may learn new ways for healthy living and lifelong learning. Some time ago, my friend Mary shared an article entitled, "Nostalgia," which I feel may be interesting to our readers as they review the changes of the century.

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tags: nostalgia, healthy living, lifelong learning, technological changes, growing up, aging
categories: reflection, quote, memories, friends
Tuesday 05.20.25
Posted by Trina Harger
 

Episode 265: A Great Heart →

As I write this column, on the day of National Day of Prayer, many warm thoughts come to mind. Throughout the country, many students will be graduating from schools of learning this month. Graduation is both a happy and a sad occasion. The diploma a symbol of excellence in knowledge, is the inheritance of our youth. I am reminded of what a big, gray haired, soft spoken Professor Greek once stated as he handed out the diplomas. He said, "Young ladies and gentlemen, it is not possible for everyone to have a great intellect, but it is possible for everyone to have a great heart."

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tags: National Day of Prayer, graduation, diploma, great heart, two easy questions, love, identity crisis, frustration, hate, loneliness, self-love, wisdom, hope
categories: reflection, quote, memories, education, friends
Tuesday 05.13.25
Posted by Trina Harger
 

Episode 264: A Letter from A Mother →

When you read this Warm Thoughts column, it will be just a couple of days before Mother's Day. Many families will be together on this special family day honoring their mother. Recently, I read an essay, a letter a mother wrote to her daughter. It touched my heart, and no doubt will be taped on a kitchen cabinet or refrigerator, and so I share it with my readers.

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tags: Mother's Day, motherhood, daughter, mother, babyhood, responsibilities, cherish moments, fulfillment, love, grandmother, essay, letter, memories, childhood
categories: holiday, reflection, quote, family, intention, memories
Tuesday 05.06.25
Posted by Trina Harger
 

Episode 263: The Joy of Spring →

As I write these lines, my thoughts are still centered on a hill outside Jerusalem. It is so overwhelming to realize God's love in our lives. Reflecting on Easter memories shared with family and friends, one finds in life meaning, purpose, hope, and love. Easter is the greatest celebration of the year, and should be celebrated every day. It is a joyous celebration of victory. The whole world becomes more beautiful at Easter time. For Easter ushers in spring, when all nature seemed as dead, there suddenly is life from brown branches and small twigs and stems tender green leaves come forth. The whole world is a veritable garden making a beautiful Easter offering.

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tags: Easter, Jerusalem, God's love, Easter Lily, purity, new life, spring, victory, nature, gardens, Francis Bacon, April showers, May flowers, warm thoughts
categories: history, holiday, reflection, easter, nature, quote
Tuesday 04.29.25
Posted by Trina Harger
 

Episode 262: Easter Reflection & Prayer →

As families throughout the world look forward to celebrating the Easter season, I'm overwhelmed with many warm thoughts and memories. Memories of the place where all the events of Holy Week took place are so real and meaningful to me. Many times I relived that experience of walking the Via Dolorosa, "the way of sorrows" when I was there on my pilgrimage to the Holy Land. We all are pilgrims.

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tags: Easter season, Holy Week, Via Dolorosa, pilgrimmage, Holy Land, prayer, Galilee, Jerusalem, Golgotha, resurrection, faith, love, service, peace, Mother Teresa
categories: history, holiday, intention, prayer, reflection, easter
Tuesday 04.08.25
Posted by Trina Harger
 

Episode 261: The Power of Prayer →

When many of you read this column, it will be National Day of Prayer, and large and small groups throughout our nation will be praying for the future of our world. In America, these groups are found in homes, churches, offices, factories, schools and in state and national capitals. These groups believe that positive prayer is power, and that behind all leaders of church and state, there must be prayer.

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tags: leadership, prayer, future builder, heart enrichment, National Day of Prayer, divine wisdom, spiritual leaders
categories: friends, history, holiday, intention, prayer, reflection
Tuesday 04.01.25
Posted by Trina Harger
 

Episode 260: Flying in the "V" Formation →

I've had many warm thoughts this past week, as I have been given cards, well wishes, flowers, thoughts and prayers. It has been uplifting to receive them while I'm recuperating in the hospital. On the day of my accident, the birds were flying high in the sky.

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tags: geese, lessons, leadership, flock, community, V Formation
categories: education, friends, quote
Tuesday 03.25.25
Posted by Trina Harger
 

Episode 259: A Bit of Irish Wit →

When you read this column, many of you will be wearing green and celebrating St. Patrick's Day in your own sweet way. It is interesting that this day is a great day, not only for the Irish, but is observed throughout the country. The day is three days before the first day of spring, and wearing green reminds us of the season of spring and is symbolic of life. The wearing of the green on St. Patrick's Day has long been featured in our country.

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tags: St. Patrick's Day, Irish heritage, shamrock, spring season, Christian missionary, Irish wit, special friends, WB Yeats, Charles Swindoll, laughter and prayer, Marion Record
categories: education, friends, history, holiday, quote
Tuesday 03.18.25
Posted by Trina Harger
 

Episode 258: She Helps Me Think the Best →

Over a month ago, I received a telephone call from my sister, who lives in Colorado. She stated that in a few days, a new computer would arrive in her home. She told me the name of her computer, but I just forgot. Since then, I have asked her the computer's name and whether it was a boy or girl. Now this may sound strange to the faithful readers of this warm thoughts column. However, if you remember, even America was referred to as a "she" by former President Reagan, and you are aware that ships have been known as being female. Example, "steady as she goes," and "she's sailing great captain!" I'm not a scientist when it comes to computers, and my grandchildren are far more computer literate than I am.

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tags: computer, scientific findings, data, gender, problem solving, ibm typewriter, warm thoughts
categories: generation, family, education, home
Tuesday 03.11.25
Posted by Trina Harger
 

Episode 257: World Day of Prayer →

Each year on the first Friday of the month of March, World Day of Prayer is held throughout the world. Women of every nation, creed and color, gather together in a place of worship to offer their prayers in word and song. They offer their prayers for peace and reconciliation and have become God's ambassadors and prayer warriors to the world. World Day of Prayer has touched the hearts of many throughout the world.

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tags: world day of prayer, warm thoughts, prayer, reflection, family
categories: quote, family, intention, prayer, meditation, reflection
Tuesday 03.04.25
Posted by Trina Harger
 

Episode 256: Reading to the Children →

In recent Warm Thoughts columns, you have read about the joy one receives when you really listen to children. Their words of wisdom not only surprise us, but their thoughts jog our minds to higher levels of understanding, for they are our master teachers. I was so pleased to learn that our governor signed a proclamation encouraging us to find a child to read to on March 2nd. This date is America's "Read to Kids Day." It is hoped that all states will become aware how important it is to read to the children. This is a nationwide campaign to encourage reading.

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tags: reading campaign, Dr. Seuss birthday, children's stories, critical thinking, family reading, lifetime listening
categories: quote, education, history
Tuesday 02.25.25
Posted by Trina Harger
 

Episode 255: Rules for Teachers →

During this heart month, I would like to share some thoughts about teacher student relationships. I was recently made aware of a survey that was taken by researchers at the State University of New York at Buffalo a number of years ago, the survey examined high school students perceptions of their teachers and classes. The researchers asked juniors and seniors in 18 high schools across the nation to write essays on various aspects of their educational experience.

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tags: teacher-student relationships, student perceptions, varied teaching styles, 1872 teacher rules
categories: quote, education, history
Tuesday 02.18.25
Posted by Trina Harger
 

Episode 254: President's Day →

Once again, I would like to take my readers to that one room country school where I experienced many warm thoughts as a very young student of the four R's. As I stated in last week's column, I would often look at the wall, where one would see the pictures of two presidents. These two presidents, Abraham, Lincoln and George Washington, became my hero presidents. Our Pledge of Allegiance and respect for the flag was a part of the old country school. Oh yes, I did whisper in that one room school, and since this was against school rules, I would often find myself standing in the corner of the room near the bucket of water with a dipper and a row of library books on the shelf.

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tags: Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, one room school, warm thoughts, Marion Record, President's Day, faith, love in action
categories: quote, holiday, education, history
Tuesday 02.11.25
Posted by Trina Harger
 

Episode 253: The One Room Country School →

Perhaps some of my readers of this column will remember the days of the one room country school as the birth date of Abraham Lincoln on February 12th approaches. My thoughts go to the old one room country school, where I would often look on the wall and see the pictures of two great presidents: Abraham Lincoln and George Washington, who were both born in February. It was back in the good old days when both birthdays were a holiday. It was also the age when children were "to be seen and not heard," and one did not whisper, as "silence was golden."

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tags: Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, one room school, frontier life, Gettysburg Address, warm thoughts, Marion Record
categories: quote, holiday, education, history
Tuesday 02.04.25
Posted by Trina Harger
 

Episode 252: The Power of Forgiveness →

In last week's column, it was mentioned that January 21 is national hugging day. I also read about Thank you day being in January, and the last week in January has long been known as international forgiveness week. The other morning, I was listening on the radio and heard it say that a noted Doctor stated that "70% of the people would be released from hospitals in 24 hours if they knew they were forgiven." A French philosopher once said that "to know all is to forgive all."

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tags: forgiveness, National Hugging Day, National Thank You Day, Ghandi, Gandhi, William A Ward, Jeremiah 31:34, St Patrick, missionary friends, Harry E Fausik
categories: quote, holiday, friends
Tuesday 01.28.25
Posted by Trina Harger
 

Episode 251: Warm Thoughts & Hugs →

The home fires may be burning in your home as we together listen on the radio and watch TV about the travel challenges many are facing throughout the country. Upon my return from travel to Seattle during the holiday season, I was welcomed with 20 degree below zero weather. However, my heart was warmed as I listened to the phone messages and read the many cards, letters, and precious thoughts which I received - you all really made my day.

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tags: travel challenges, holiday season, phone messages, warm thoughts, national hugging day, poem, patience, make every day count, broken pieces, true friend, cup of tea
categories: quote, holiday, friends
Tuesday 01.21.25
Posted by Trina Harger
 

Episode 250: Fresh Dreams for the New Year →

This is the first Warm Thoughts column for 1998. An unknown author once wrote this New Year's thought, "What the new year will bring us depends a great deal on what we bring into the new year." Among the many Christmas greeting cards received were many warm thoughts: A Prayer for Peace. "Dear Lord, let this be a year that moves us one step closer to each other. Let this be a year that brings us understanding in our hearts. Let this be a year that fills us with a yearning, burning, feeling for peace with one another and a oneness, Lord, with you."

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tags: New Year's thoughts, warm thoughts, prayer for peace, new opportunity, fresh dreams, steps of faith, future challenge, renewed hopes, peace and joy, vision for tomorrow, common sense, wisdom, oneness, upward climb, little home
categories: quote, holiday, intention, prayer, poetry, reflection
Tuesday 01.14.25
Posted by Trina Harger
 

Episode 249: Winter Commencement →

Many warm thoughts crossed my mind as I attended the 20th Winter Commencement at the University of South Dakota. Amid all the pomp and circumstance, I was in the audience giving cheers to my colleagues for their achievements. Graduation at Christmas time with holiday festivities seems to have special meaning for many families. The commencement address was given by a very successful businessman, who also received the Distinguished Service Award from President Betty Turner Asher. The speaker, Doug Scholl, spoke on the "A" life - our advanced thinking can help us to give something back, we can soar with the eagles, our attitude is important in making choices...He warned us not to associate with people who hate.

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tags: winter commencement, Distinguished Service Award, advanced thinking, life message, Alma Mater song, Black Hills, Missouri River, holiday season, warm thoughts, Happy New Year, little home on the prairie, Marion Record, holiday greeting
categories: quote, holiday, memories, education, service
Tuesday 12.24.24
Posted by Trina Harger
 

Episode 248: Singing in the Shepherd Hills →

Every year now, as Christmas Eve and Christmas Day approaches, my memories take me to the little town of Bethlehem. How special it was to be able to worship in a cave on the shepherd hills in Bethlehem, the night I worshiped in a cave on those Shepherd hills will long remain in my memories. We traveled the winding roads of those hills with Abraham as the driver of the bus called "the guiding star," and Elijah and Gabriel guided the driver as we sang those beautiful Christmas carols. It seems that the angels in heaven were helping us to sing on those Shepherd hills.

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tags: Bethlehem, memories, shepherd hills, christmas carols, guiding star, humble cave, worship night, peace on earth, warm thoughts, joyful season, Jerusalem, Christmas day, peace, way of life, roses in December
categories: quote, holiday, reflection, memories, intention, prayer
Tuesday 12.17.24
Posted by Trina Harger
 
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