While in southern Nebraska on a weekend retreat, my daughter called the Little Home on the Prairie from Texas. Thanks to answering machines, she informed me that in their area in Texas, they got their first cold front. The temperature got to a lovely 70 degrees. I also was made aware that Boulder, Colorado had a storm, no school, and in Denver, many of the trees were destroyed because of an ice storm. And my friend in Florida informs me about the challenges their state experiences in Love Bug month. This time traveling back home throughout the heartland of America, I saw many fields not yet ready for harvest that had been damaged by the early frost. It brought back memories of the challenging years that many of us experienced as a child in those years of depression, which now seem to be history.
Episode 219: Forever Spring →
Happy Easter! Easter and Spring have arrived. As I write these warm thoughts, it is the week before Easter and there still are some mountains of snow surrounding the little home on the prairie. My grandson, Trevor, who lives in Nebraska and who is spending some special vacation days with his grandma in South Dakota, is overjoyed to make an Easter snowman. Is spring really here in South Dakota? The events following Palm Sunday bring many memories of my past trips to the Holy Land. Walking the Via Dolorosa on the way to Calvary is a memory that often comes to mind not only during Holy Week.
Episode 178: Nebraska Sunsets →
One morning from my hospital bed, I could see the sun rising above the South Dakota plains. What a beautiful sight. As a child, I grew up on the Nebraska plains. When I would herd the cattle along the countryside, I dreamed of being a writer and began writing poetic lines. When I was old enough to read the Columbus Telegram, I would read Edgar Howard's editorials. I will never forget his last editorial, for after that he laid down his pen. The editorial was about a Nebraska sunset and I would like to share with you these cherished words.
Episode 78: New Year's Blessings →
Warmest greetings to my dear family, friends, and gentle hearts around the world. It has become a tradition for me to write my Christmas letter on January 6th. The Christmas of the Gentiles. Today is Epiphany - the festival that commemorates the appearance of the Christ child as the promised Savior to the Gentiles, and to all the world. The lighted star shines today even brighter on that little home on the prairie, as I am reminded of the star that led the wisemen to Bethlehem. As we all travel the road of life, and reflect on the past year, may we have many warm thoughts as we reflect on what an unknown author wrote so many years ago. "Looking back, may we be filled with gratitude. Looking forward, may we be filled with hope. Looking upward, may we be aware of strength. Looking inward, may we find peace."