Hello spring! When one looks at the calendar we observe that the spring equinox, which occurs on March 20th, is fast approaching. Think spring! After a long winter, we welcome the change of season. Easter and thoughts of Easter bring joy to our hearts. Spring and Easter seem to be synonymous. The days become longer and the sun's work becomes evident. There is a renewal of life as the birds sing their melodies. The March snowmelt will transform creeks into flowing rumbling song. Yes, spring will be here!
Episode 172: Sunshine in a Smile →
The first of March is "Share a Smile Day." Why just one day? Let's make every day a National Smile Day! Joseph Addison puts it this way, "What sunshine is to the flowers, smiles are to humanity...the good they do is inconceivable." Remember, it takes 43 muscles to frown and only 17 to smile! A world traveler once explained, "In all the countries I have been to, everyone understands a smile." We soon learn when we travel that all people smile in the same language.
Episode 129: Adversities & Achievements →
Recently Fran Hendricks of Huron, South Dakota was chosen as South Dakota's Mother of the Year for 1995. Mothers in America are honored on the second Sunday in May. In England and some other countries, Mother's Day is the last Sunday in March. Many moons ago I wrote a letter to my son who, at the time, was having many challenges in his life. The Mother's Day letter was a gift with the hope he would find new joy in life and like the following, were a few thoughts I shared. These warm thoughts may inspire one or more of my readers of this warm thoughts column.
Episode 89: Heartland Surprises →
Throughout the years, the last week of March has brought to the heartland some surprises weather wise. This year, 1995 was no exception. Rain, blowing winds, and blankets of snow covered many areas of the heartland country. It was two years ago, the last Sunday afternoon in March that I wrote my first Warm Thoughts column. Early that morning flakes of snow covered the roads and prairie country. As a descendant of pioneers, I never dreamed the church would be canceled that morning, but I was mistaken, and appeared in church, as the lone parishioner. A first experience in my life. That afternoon in the solitude of that little home on the prairie, and over a cup of tea, I wrote my first Warm Thoughts column. Yes, I feel like celebrating, as I now share with you a few thoughts from that column. As I write these lines, I am also listening to my grandchildren who are here on their spring retreat from their studies in Colorado. In that first column, I stress how important it is to listen to the children. Reading to the children, and listening to them, can teach us many things. We learn so much from them and their needs are so great to have us really listen to them. I will never forget when I was reading to my grandson, a book about the tree houses and squirrels, and he interrupted me and said, "I don't want to dream about squirrels." And what would you like to dream about? "My grandma," he replied. What a warm and precious thought!