Since February is National Children's Month, I thought about writing an essay on what my grandchildren have taught me. They are now in school with children of other cultures, and although they may have graduated from Crayola college, they are color blind and love their friends from other cultures. Recently, my grandson Trevor was teaching me to count to five in the Japanese language and even write the numbers.
Episode 288: Pearls of Wisdom from the Children →
The year 2001 is the Year of the Books, and January was National Book Month. The year 2001 is also the Year of the Child, and the month of February, Heart Month, is also National Children's month. Children can come up with pearls of wisdom that simply seem so amazing. I will share with you the wisdom of children who were asked by a teacher to write advice to their parents on how to raise children.
Episode 287: Fulfilling Forgotten Dreams →
Among the many Christmas epistles received during the Christmas season was a letter from a dear old friend in Ohio. Olga has been a real inspiration to me. For many years, she has been a lifelong learner and a pioneer in the work of missions and ministry. Her letter arrived on the 12th day of December, as she had a busy Christmas season. She was born on December 24 and last year, celebrated her 100th birthday on Christmas Eve. I am really looking forward to her next letter filled with her many exciting experiences. She is living every minute of the rest of her life and enjoying the learning process.
Episode 286: Life at 90 →
The following column appeared on January 29th, 1998. It was a favorite column among the readers, and maybe again, for those who are celebrating birthdays this month.
Episode 282: Years of Happiness →
November. Can it really be November already? It seems, the year has its last flare of youth in October. In November, the earth folds its hands, hands that have been trained in the lesson of content and waits for that garment of snow. We have had some very beautiful autumn days this year...days for travel. No, I did not travel to Florida for that historic launch into space, but I did manage the trip to Nebraska, and while there, attended a 50th wedding anniversary of dear friends who live in Seward Nebraska, that Fourth of July City. It was so special to be able to share at that "Golden Celebration" a poem I wrote, and so I will share the poem with the readers of this Warm Thoughts column.
Episode 281: Holiday Letters →
The holidays are approaching so fast. Already, I am receiving those holiday letters, as I have a few friends who write their holiday letter about family in October. It seems that many people in this high-tech age no longer write those personal letters.
Episode 280: The Nifty 90s →
Recently, my friend celebrated her 91st birthday. She has had a very full life, but is experiencing life changes. One must part with things and make the necessary changes in life and living. We call it downsizing, when one moves from your home to an apartment and then to a room in a residential setting. In last week's column, I promised that I would share some thoughts about the nifty 90s. I must do this before these nifty 90s leave us for the next century. I wrote these thoughts in the 70s. Remember that bicentennial year, the poem has been published in the 1995 National Poetry anthology entitled, "Tomorrow Never Knows the Nifty 90s."
Episode 279: Life is Fun at 80 →
Recently, a few of my friends celebrated their 80th birthday anniversaries. It was a very special occasion where family and friends came for an Open House to celebrate life together. It is quite interesting that when I taught Gerontology classes that I called the 80s, "The Lively 80s." An essay entitled "Life Begins at 80," supports those warm thoughts.
Episode 278: Grandma & Grandpa →
A recent article I read states that the United Nations General Assembly has designated 1999 as the "International Year of Older Persons." The theme will be "towards a society of all ages." This theme was chosen to promote the philosophy that societies should be inclusive in nature, should embrace all population groups, and share their resources equally.
Episode 276: Life & Learning →
Surprise! The Warm Thoughts column two weeks ago, on, "I've Learned," was favorably received by readers. It also brought me a four page email letter on more "I've learned." So here's a sequel to the first column:
Episode 275: Love & Logic →
September brings us Grandparents Day. Recently, I read some thoughts from, "Grandparents with Love and Logic," by Foster W Klein and Jim Fay. These thoughts are worth sharing about grandparenting in today's world.
Episode 272: A Quilt is Love →
Recently, I attended a Quilt Fest at the Pioneer Hall in Freeman, South Dakota. There were 155 quilts displayed, and the featured quilter was a 94-year-old resident of the Salem home. Throughout her life, she has been involved in the making of hundreds of quilts, and love has turned the patterns into works of art. As I stood there by the Christmas quilt, the wedding ring quilt, and many others, there were many warm thoughts that flashed through my mind. In the many quilts I have given away in my lifetime, I have included this poem entitled "Warm Thoughts."
Episode 271: Family Time Together →
It was "Christmas in June" at the little home on the prairie. Family drove from various areas of America to celebrate together, a few weeks ago. The temperature was in the 70s. Instead of snowflakes, an occasional mosquito buzzed by and a few June bugs. No snow fell, but rain dashed on the tent where children played and slept nearby. Father Christmas, or Santa Claus, did not even arrive in a boat or a sleigh. However, everyone enjoyed the festive Christmas foods and picnic style, since family is widely scattered and work schedules prevent getting together on December 25. We gather together during good old summertime.
Episode 269: Tender & Tough →
The first day of summer - good, old summertime is very near. Next Sunday is not only the first day of summer, but it is also Father's Day. In our own special way, we honor our fathers on this day. We have our very special memories. Many memories touched my heart as I read about the "Old Fashioned Daddy."
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.
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.
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.
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.
Episode 247: Christmas Epistles →
It is National Family Week. As I write this warm thoughts column, families have traveled from far and near to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday. There is more travel over the Thanksgiving weekend than any other time of the year. How wonderful for families to be together and celebrate the family ties. Every day is a day to celebrate the family.
Episode 246: National Family Week →
It is National Family Week. As I write this warm thoughts column, families have traveled from far and near to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday. There is more travel over the Thanksgiving weekend than any other time of the year. How wonderful for families to be together and celebrate the family ties. Every day is a day to celebrate the family.