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 164: The Christmas Spirit, All Year Long →
Christmas brings us many memories. For me, Christmas is a season that is very dear to my heart. I want to live in the Christmas spirit all year long! Is it any wonder when you come to that little home on the prairie that you may get a cup of Christmas tea and a warm welcome? The end of another year is approaching very rapidly. It is hard to believe that 1996 will soon be history.
Episode 163: Peace, Sweet Peace →
Recently I heard Terry Anderson speak at the University of South Dakota. Some of the readers of this column will remember the day he was released from the gloom of a Beirut prison four years ago on December 4th, 1991. Terry Anderson had been with the Associated Press in Lebanon when he was kidnapped and taken captive for seven years, or 2,454 days. He was chained to a wall in prison and lived at the uncertain mercy of his captors.
Episode 162: Relaxing with a Good Book →
During the Thanksgiving and Christmas season, many people travel by air and land to visit family. It is a busy time, and often the stress and strain from travel and the social events can cause us to feel overtired. It becomes apparent that we need to focus on the reason for the season. In my travels throughout the years, I have noticed people relaxing while reading a book. It is one of the ways of finding quiet moments of relaxation. I usually travel with books and find moments to have some quiet thoughts from the heart.
Episode 161: The Power of "Thank You" →
Happy Thanksgiving! Today is Thanksgiving Day and many families will be gathered together to share thoughts on gratitude. Can you name at least seven things for which you are grateful? Do you believe in "Thank You" power in your life? The latest research on the impact of positive emotions in our lives is very interesting. The influence of gratitude is quantifiable, both physically and emotionally. Simply being thankful and making it a point to recognize those good things will positively change our lives. There is scientific proof that we will be happier, healthier, and better able to handle the stresses of daily life simply by saying, "thank you."
Episode 160: A Thankful Tribute →
Families throughout our country will celebrate Thanksgiving Day. That first holiday was celebrated by the pilgrims in 1621. Chief Massasoit and his braves joined with the colonists to feast after the first successful harvest. Together they thanked God for His goodness. I was very touched and thankful when I read about the efforts of one woman, Sarah Josephea Hale, to help make it a national, legal holiday. It is true that President George Washington as the leader of the nation, issued a proclamation in 1789 that November 26th be recognized as a day of thanks.
Episode 158: Taking the Lead With the Geese →
This is the time of year when some folks leave the prairie winds and go south for the winter. Folks down south who have permanent residence there will say, "The snowbirds are coming!" About the same time, the northern geese are going south too. Recently, I read that these geese are not going as far south as they used to go in past years. These geese flap their wings and fly south in a V formation. In the spring, they fly north and it is always a special time for us to learn some lessons from the geese.
Episode 152: Boyhood →
American history comes alive when one visits presidential libraries and museums. A recent visit to the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum in Iowa proved to be very interesting. Reading some of the quotes from his speeches at that time in the history of our country - the Great Depression, was very enlightening. On the lighter side, he wrote an essay which I would like to share with you at this time.
Episode 149: Precious Moments Chapel →
Many families travel before the school year begins. I love to hear about the interesting places family and friends see on their travels throughout the country. A dear friend recently related the precious moments their family experienced at the Precious Moments Chapel, which is nestled among the dogwood in the beautiful meadows of the Ozarks in Carthage, Missouri. The sanctuary of the chapel is filled with many scenes depicting stories from the Bible. This Precious Moments Chapel is the realization of a dream that was born in the heart of one of America's most famous artists, Samuel J. Butcher.
Episode 148: Advice for Parents →
A high school teacher in Houston asked her students, "What advice would you give your mom and dad?" She surveyed 300 teenagers. Those who responded represent a healthy cross section of ethnic groups, ages, academic achievements, and home/life environments.
Episode 147: Adages of American Heritage →
When I went to the one room country school as a child, I learned many pioneer Proverbs, or adages, which according to an old Webster's dictionary is "an ancient proverb." The adage I learned about weather, I thought perhaps was based on scientific fact. When the rooster crows at night, he tells us rain is in sight. Swallows fly high - clear blue sky, swallows fly low - rain, we shall know. The adages we learned are part of our American heritage.
Episode 146: Hold Hands & Stick Together →
In many parts of the country students are making preparations to return to the classroom and the books. My grandson, Trevor, is all excited about going to kindergarten. It is only recently that he graduated from Crayola College. His excitement about going to kindergarten has really rubbed off on his old grandma who lived in an era before kindergarten, and it took me all my first grade to write my long name.
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 140: Healing Liberty →
It is that time of year when many patriotic thoughts arise as we see the flag flying high in the sky. I am very impressed in my travels to note where homes fly the flag on a daily basis.
Episode 125: Those Horse & Buggy Days →
It has been such a joy to receive letters from around the world over the holidays, and from such warm places like Florida and California. It did spread some sunshine when we had cold winter days and nights. But now we wake up for soon we will experience the glories of springtime. This past week a beautiful letter came from California. This dear lady faithfully reads the warm thoughts column and it brings many memories of living out here on the prairie near Dolton, when it was a busy city and had a bank and two grocery stores. She shares her memories on the farm, raising her family, teaching school and giving piano lessons to many students. Her retirement now is filled with memories and I hope she writes her story of her life near Dolton to share with her children, grandchildren and others. You are a real inspiration with that wonderful pioneer spirit to keep on keepin on.
Episode 124: An Ode to Luetta →
Among the brilliant readers of this column are retired school teachers. One of these educators is now in her "nifty nineties" and checks these warm thoughts on a weekly basis. She has been quite curious about this little home on the prairie, and recently came to visit over a cup of Christmas tea. She too, appreciates poetry and left her gift with me. And with her permission, I share with you dear readers of this column. She requested that her name remain anonymous.
Episode 109: Helping Hands →
Last week's column projected some thoughts about preparing ourselves, already, for a 21st century. I realize that many of you may be thinking, “I can only handle one day at a time.” It is in the here and now that we live that “one day at a time.” And as I age, I realized more each day how important servant leadership skills and customer service is a must in the world of competition. I was really made aware of this, even more the other day when I needed to reach out and seek help from customer service. I received the help I needed, and was given respect and understanding. You can be sure I will tell others about the fine customer service and support I received.
Episode 108: Quiet Forces →
As I was traveling home after ending the Prayer Vigil of the American Mothers Association, many warm thoughts came to mind...thoughts about the future and how important it is that we think in the future tense and prepare ourselves for a 21st century. We do need to respect and honor the traditions and opinions of our forefathers and foremothers. It is in their accumulated wisdom and experience that much of the stability of a civilized society now rests, and we are thankful.
Recently I received a letter from a writer and poet in Florida. Sarah Gray has given permission to use her beautiful thoughts in this week’s warm thoughts column.
Episode 104: Always Have a Dream →
The Centennial 1996 Olympic Games are now history. The world watched these games with great interest. Children and adults of all ages were inspired and perhaps have dreams of being an athlete in the Olympic Games someday. Throughout the country, many schools have already opened their doors of learning. Many students also have goals and dreams in the academic world. I have many memories of attending classes in a one room country school house, and the real life struggles for even a high school education.
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.