The month of October is clergy appreciation month. It is coincidental that just a few days ago I received from a clergyman who faithfully reads this column every week. Special thoughts that he felt could be used in a future column. These thoughts are very special for this clergy appreciation month. Thank you for sharing!
Episode 317: Enjoy Aging →
September has been older Americans month. When we celebrate grandparents day, we see our grandchildren go off to school, to colleges and universities, and the grandparents get some perspectives on successful grandparenting and successful aging. Recently, I read about a study by Dr. George Valant from the Harvard Medical School. The study found that a lot of successful aging is how we handle ourselves through the years. It followed our lives of 824 men and women from their teens into their 80s. It divides persons between 60 and 80 into two groups. Happy well, and sad sick. It also analyzes the traits of individuals in the groups who have died.
Episode 316: Remembering 911 →
Last week, we were reminded of the tragic events of September 11, 2001 that shook our nation. There have been many poems, songs, and prayers written that have touched our hearts. The following essay was an email which I received. It was written by an unknown author. Perhaps you received it too, following those events. You may wish to share these thoughts with someone who cares.
Episode 315: The Gift of September →
September. The gift of September. Heart to heart thoughts, and the days grow long when we reach September. September is a delightful month. It marks the end of summer and the coming of fall.
Episode 313: Noah's Ark →
In the Warm Thoughts column of last week, we learned about what one learns when they go to kindergarten. Recently, I read an article entitled, “All I need to know, I learned from Noah's Ark.” I do not know the author of this gem, but I believe you'll enjoy it as we think about sending our children and grandchildren off to school and college.
Episode 310: Today & Yesterday →
My friend is celebrating another birthday and she wrote me and remembered that she too is having another birthday. She also wrote in detail about her senior moments. Our friendship has endured many years of joys and challenges. As time is fleeting so rapidly, each day is very precious, and I am reminded that today is the first day of the rest of my life. An unknown author helps us to be aware how special is today.
Episode 309: Arizona & the Snowbirds →
New billboards are getting attention in Arizona. Some folks have reported seeing one or two messages. The newspapers listed all of them. Here is a list of variations of the Godspeaks billboards. The billboards are a simple black background with white text. I have a dear friend who has retired to Arizona, and I wonder if she has seen a few of the messages.
Episode 308: Happy Birthday Luetta →
A real faithful reader of this Warm Thoughts column sent some real gems of thought which I used in a recent column. It was like a Christmas or birthday present to receive them. Today is my birthday, and I decided I would share with you some more of the thoughts she sent me. Thank you for the birthday gift. And the Christmas gift too, as it is Christmas in the summer at the little home on the prairie.
Episode 306: Still She Waves →
Today we celebrate Independence Day. It is a day of celebration for parades and families, and we see our nation's flag flying in the breeze. As a mother and grandmother, I save precious thoughts that my children and grandchildren have written. Recently, I ran across an essay that my daughter Kathy wrote when she was 13 years old and in 8th grade. On this Independence day, you too may appreciate these thoughts written by a teenager.
Episode 302: Children's Day →
The 2nd Sunday in June is Children's Day. The following Sunday we celebrate Father's Day. A great deal of concern has been focused on our children as the dawn of a new century is fast approaching. Children who have graduated this last year in the 20th century are told that they will be shaping the next century. What a challenge for our children and our grandchildren. Many years ago, an author by the name of Dorothy Law Nolte wrote these thoughts about children and what they learn from those around them.
Episode 301: Praying for Rain →
It is gardening time. It was a beautiful spring day when 6 year old grandson Trevor and his old grandma decided to plant the garden and then plant flowers in the flower pots. Trevor patiently helped plant the potatoes, better boy tomatoes, carrots, and broccoli. After the completion of the gardening project, we watered the garden. I suggested to Trevor that if it did not rain, he could pray for rain for the planted garden. His reply was immediate and very emphatic. “Grandma, I will leave that job up to you.” And believe me, this grandma is thankful for answered prayer as rain from heaven watered at the planted garden.
Episode 300: Dear Daughter, →
When you read this warm thoughts column, it will be just a couple 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 will share it with you, my readers.
Episode 299: Little Pleasures →
This is the last day of April. The month of April has been national poetry month. It is interesting that a dear friend in Florida sent me in the mail an original poem she wrote on her birthday. It is such a joy to be able to share with the readers of this warm thoughts column, the gems of thought and poetry. So thanks, Sarah Gray, for her precious thoughts.
Episode 296: A Pilgrim's Prayer →
As families throughout the world look forward to celebrating the Easter season, I am 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 relive that experience of walking the Via Dolorosa, also known as the Way of Sorrows, when I was there on my pilgrimage to the Holy Land. We are all pilgrims, and an unknown author wrote the following prayerful thoughts.
Episode 295: Snow in Spring →
It was five years ago that I wrote the first Warm Thoughts column over a cup of tea. I can remember the moment as if it happened yesterday. The first day of spring in 1993 was a beautiful springy day. Surprise, surprise! On Sunday morning, following that first day of spring, I awoke to a winter wonderland and a real South Dakota prairie blizzard. However, my pioneer spirit urged me to go to church that morning. Surprise, surprise! I was the only parishioner in church that morning. I was not aware that weather conditions were that severe to call off church services. What a lonely feeling.
Episode 294: Spring is Here! →
Glancing at the calendar, I note that the first day of spring is just a few days away as I write this Warm Thoughts column. Yes, another spring is here this month, and the colors of spring will soon be all around us.
Episode 293: Generations →
Recently, I attended a retreat at Cedar Shore in Chamberlain, South Dakota. It was a women's retreat, and all generations were present from the great grandmothers to the young mother with her baby daughter. It was a learning experience about the different generations which I would like to share with you this week and during family month.
Episode 292: St. Pat's Day →
Right after St. Valentine's Day was history, I immediately saw St. Patrick's Day cards and decorations in the stores. There may be signs of winter and white snow around us, but the shamrock decorations of green are symbolic of life, and soon we'll have St. Pat's Day and Spring.
Episode 291: All About Attitude →
Recently, I attended a couple of exciting basketball games while visiting my family in Nebraska. My granddaughter performed as a cheerleader, and the folder that listed the names and pictures of the players and cheerleaders was also the top 10 reasons to sport a winning attitude. I was impressed, and since many of the readers of this Warm Thoughts column attend the sports activities, I thought I would like to share these 10 reasons.
Episode 290: Something to Remember →
President's Day is Monday, February 19th. We now celebrate all former presidents. We originally honored only George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, both whom had birthdays during the month of February, February 22nd and 12th, respectively. George Washington was the 1st and only president to be elected unanimously by the electoral college. He received all 69 of the votes. He was a first president with false teeth, and the first to appear on a postage stamp. He was our country's 1st president and was known as the father of our country. Abraham Lincoln was the first Republican President and the first President to be assassinated. He was the first to support women's right to vote. There are four U.S. state capitals that are named after presidents. The president who have state capitals named after them are Abraham Lincoln, Andrew Jackson, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison.