Traveling throughout the heartland of America, I was impressed with the beauty of the green fields. After attending the International Congress on the Family in Colorado, it was a joy to again spend special time with family and friends and celebrate another birthday. I did not realize that the year I entered this big world, it was a banner year. It was family in Wisconsin who shared these thoughts on a birthday card.
Episode 229: The Star Spangled Banner →
The month of July is a very special month. July has many reasons to celebrate. Though not widely known, it was on July 2nd, not July 4th, that the Continental Congress passed the resolution declaring the independence from the colonies. We celebrate Independence Day on July 4th. Are you a celebrator? Having lived several years in the Fourth of July city, Seward, Nebraska, Independence Day has very special memories for me. Singing the Star Spangled Banner has inspired millions and moved many to tears. It is symbolized with the flag, what it really does mean to be a loyal American.
Episode 217: Malice Toward None & Charity For All →
As I write these warm thoughts, we are celebrating Presidents Day. Many patriotic thoughts come to mind on this national holiday on which we celebrate the birthdays of our first president, George Washington, and of our 16th President Abraham Lincoln.
Episode 201: Life Begins 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 call the 80s the "lively 80s." An essay entitled, "Life begins at 80" supports those warm thoughts.
Episode 200: Autumn is Magic →
A loyal reader of this warm thoughts column sent me the story about how Oktoberfest began. Some communities throughout the country celebrate Oktoberfest or have harvest festivals. Thanks dear friend for sending the history of the Oktoberfest.
Episode 186: Children Learn What They Live →
The second 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 grandchildren!
Episode 183: All Around Me, Peaceful →
May is family month! When you read this week's column, many of you will be looking forward to a day off from work - a three day weekend, the opening of the swimming pool, and the official start of the summer season. You may be celebrating life with family and friends. Memorial Day is a day and a time to remember the dead, especially those who perished in America's wars. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II.
Episode 171: Listening to the Children →
In recent Warm Thoughts columns you've read about the joy one receives when you really listen to the children. Their words of wisdom not only surprise us, but their thoughts jog our minds to higher levels of understanding, for they are our master teachers. I was so pleased to learn that our governor signed a proclamation encouraging us to find a child to read to on March 2nd. This date is "America's Read to Kids Day." It is hoped that all states will become aware of how important it is to read to the children. This is a nationwide campaign to encourage reading.
Episode 141: God Bless America & You →
Did you celebrate America's birthday? Over 200 years have come and gone for our good, old USA. Many ceremonies come to mind as we remember celebrating Independence Day. As we reflect on the month of June, and Father's Day celebrations with family, my thoughts reflect on historical facts about the father of our country, George Washington. Recently I read Washington's prayer for our country. And I would like to share his warm thoughts for our country.
Episode 119: Treasures of a Far More Lasting Kind →
It was a winter wonderland as my friend and I traveled the other morning. The sun shone brightly on every tree decked out in full glory. The blizzards of yesterday and yesteryear are forgotten when one sees those snowflakes glisten and sparkle. The world around us was a heavenly mantle of white. One can truly appreciate each season of the year.
Episode 113: Giving Thanks for Family →
A warm spirit of the approaching holiday season makes us especially thankful for family. Life is full of many reasons to celebrate, reflect and share our feelings during the coming holiday season. The United Nations designated 1994 as International Year of the Family with the theme of the year as "family resources and responsibilities in a changing world." The emblem of the International Year of the Family is a heart sheltered by a roof linked by another heart. It symbolizes life and love in a home where one finds warmth, caring, security, togetherness, tolerance, and acceptance. The open design is meant to indicate continuity with a hint of uncertainty the brushstroke with its open mind roof completes an abstract symbol representing the complexities of the family.
Episode 101: Time Together →
Where has the month of July gone?
When many of you read these warm thoughts, there will only be three precious days left in the month. Does time really fly faster when one gets a year older? I am reminded of the words I overheard while sitting in church one Sunday morning, and listening to voices around me, before the service. "Every day is the day to celebrate," I heard it said. I realized how true those words of wisdom really mean to me as I celebrate life each day. Jonathan Swift has said as well, "May you live all the days of your life." This plaque is high on the kitchen range this summer, and is a reminder to live and enjoy each day of your life. July is a month when many families celebrate, beginning with Independence Day and family reunions. Have you ever thought of celebrating Christmas in July? Our family has found it a most convenient time to celebrate Christmas with all the family Christmas traditions. Perhaps this is nontraditional, but we managed to celebrate everything that has happened during the past year. This includes those who have birthdays, anniversaries, and additions to the family. We recognize achievements and graduations and each member of the family is so special. Traditional holiday and birthday gifts and treats are given to the loved ones, good food, good memories, all go together. It is probably the mother of all celebrations.
Episode 99: The Pioneers of Yesteryear →
Each year on July 4th we commemorate the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and we celebrate the birthday of our nation. It is a time to renew patriotism, and add a consciousness that our nation needs our prayers. It is a time when we are even more aware of the freedoms we enjoy here in America. With thankful hearts we sing America the Beautiful, and God bless America.
Episode 98: Fort Meade & The Star Spangled Banner →
The month of July is a very special month. July has many reasons to celebrate. Though not widely known, it was on July 2nd, not July 4th that The Continental Congress passed the resolution declaring the independence from the colonies. We celebrate Independence Day on July 4th. Are you a celebrator? Having lived several years in the Fourth of July city in Seward, Nebraska, Independence Day has very special memories for me. Singing the Star Spangled Banner has inspired millions and moved many to tears. It has symbolized with the flag, what it really does mean to be a loyal American.
Episode 95: Remembering Peace →
May is family month. When you read this week's column many of you will be looking forward to a day off from work, a three day weekend, the opening of the swimming pool, and the official start of the summer season. You may be celebrating life with family and friends. Memorial Day is a day and a time to remember the dead, especially those who perished in America's wars. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II. 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 the years, 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.
Episode 93: Aging - A Lifetime Opportunity →
May is Older Americans Month, and the theme for May 1996 is "Aging: A Lifetime Opportunity." This theme was selected because it recognizes the millions of seniors who truly have made the most of growing older by continuing to make invaluable contributions to their families, their places of worship, their communities, and society as a whole. Older Americans Month began with proclamation 3527, which President Kennedy issued on April 18th, 1963, declaring the month of May to be Senior Citizens Month. That original celebration established a tradition of celebrating older Americans contributions to society as well as raising awareness of their special needs. In 1980, President Carter changed the name of the month-long celebrations to Older Americans Month. Today it provides all of us with the opportunity not only to focus on the contributions and needs of current older Americans, but to think about how we as a nation need to prepare to meet the needs of future older Gen. But to think about how we as a nation need to prepare to meet the needs of future older Americans. This year's theme is very meaningful because it represents the Administration of Aging's idea to rally the nation in preparing for the aging of baby boomers. The Administration on Aging will be working throughout 1996 to focus national attention on the need to take critical steps now so that we will be ready to meet the challenge posed by an aging society.
Episode 63: The World in 1926 →
When traveling throughout the heartland of America. I was impressed with the beauty of the green fields. After attending the International Congress of the Family in Colorado, it was a joy to again spend special time with family and friends to celebrate another birthday.
I did not realize that the year I entered this big world, it was a banner year - it was family in Wisconsin who shared these thoughts on a birthday card. It was quite interesting for me to learn that in that banner year, a lot of things were happening, and prices were different from our present age.
Episode 54: A Tribute to Daughters →
Recently I attended a mother daughter banquet. It was so interesting to see the mothers and daughters wear old fashioned hats. Those hats had stories to tell!
In my past columns I have shared thoughts giving tribute to mothers, mothers in law, mothers in love, and daughters in law, at another daughter banquet. A tribute was given to daughters, written by an unknown author. I would like to share these thoughts for daughters.
Episode 23: Summer Days →
As I traveled early one morning, many warm thoughts came to mind about summer days. For many people summer is their favorite time of year. July is the “get up and go” vacation time of the year. It is festival and celebration time and a long remembered holiday. The lakes and countryside, the sunrise and sunsets bring many peaceful and tranquil thoughts on warm summer days.