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 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 274: You are a Blessing →
It is always a joy to receive warm thoughts from readers. These special gifts can then be shared with the reading audience of this column. The column a reader once gave me entitled, "Count Your Blessings," received many comments, so it was very special this week to receive these additional thoughts on counting blessings from a special friend: "Count your garden by the flowers, never by the leaves that fall. Count your days by golden hours. Don't remember clouds at all. Count your nights by stars, not shadows. Count your years with smiles, not tears. Count your blessings not your troubles. Count your age by friends, not years."
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 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.
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."
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 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.
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.
Episode 244: The Old Fashioned Thanksgiving →
Are you making preparation for the family Thanksgiving? This week, I will share some thoughts from the book, "Just Folks," by a very favorite author, Edgar A Guest.
Episode 243: Golden Anniversary →
November. Can it really be November? Already, it seems, the year has it's 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.
Episode 242: Make a Difference →
A recent warm thoughts column provided information about Make a Difference Day, which is October 26th. It is a day when everyone is encouraged to make a difference in their community and world by making it a Day of Caring, an annual National Day of helping others. Across the nation, about 1 million Americans will help others on this Make a Difference Day.