On a recent flight to Texas, I was seated near a retired pilot, and also near a very verbal young mother who's sister will be on that space flight going up on July 9th at 3am. Her sister is making this flight with the First Woman Commander. The retired pilot told me about his mother, who is now in her 90s. I shared the column on Live, Learn, and Tell, where I challenged you my readers to finish the thoughts on...at age 90. This loving son finished the thought, so here it is. "At age 90 I survived at all, but I forgot what it was." Thanks Lenny!
Episode 86: Time is a Treasure →
March. Is it really here already? Where does the time go? March is a month during which the season of spring is welcomed after the long winter. Recently I read some thoughts on time and what a precious gift, time is. Time is a treasure. Each day is precious with 24 hours to use as I choose, and to spend at my own discretion. Time is life's greatest asset, a generous gift from the Creator, yet not one hour may be stored for the future. And our affluent society, no one can beg, borrow or buy an additional day. Even the most fabulous fortune cannot purchase the fleeting moments, or call them back once they are gone. Time waits for no one. It travels swiftly and in silence linked with the rising and setting sun. Like a vapor, it is here one moment, and gone the next. Days disappearing so quickly that we sometimes stand in utter amazement and ask, "Where has the time gone?" If challenges have been met with courage, tasks accomplished to the best of our ability, and warm meaningful relationships made along the way, then we may say with certainty that this day has been lived to the fullest.
Episode 85: Springtime Blizzards →
Is spring really in March? As I turn the calendar my thoughts turned to the potential life that must be under the blanket of snow. We seem to need to have winter to appreciate spring and see life make it's appearance again. I love all the seasons of the year, and the beauty of the snow too. And even blizzards can be invigorating. I arrived home in time for the TGIF Blizzard, and was shut in my home as the north wind blew. It was another snow day last Friday and no school for many students. It brought back memories for me of being snowed in, and not able to attend school in that one room country schoolhouse when I was a young student. It was a time for family togetherness in that warm kitchen. It was the era of no TV and video, but we had our games and read and told stories around that round kitchen table. The warmth of the old kitchen range and the aroma of homemade goodies permeated the room, and gave me warm feelings of family contentment. A memory I will always cherish. I do believe every story I've ever read about the 1888 Blizzard, and the many heroic stories of our pioneers. My own life experiences have convinced me that these stories are truth and not fiction. Some days I think I may be one of the last pioneers to weather the winter storms and blizzards that are challenging, but those spring blizzards can be even more unexpected and challenging.
Episode 84: Love is a Quilt →
During heart month, we have had some very cold days and nights. It feels so good to be warmed with the quilt that loving hands have made. There are many dedicated women throughout our country who spend many hours making quilts in their homes in churches. These quilts are made for world relief, the homeless, and the needy. Quilts made with love really make wonderful gifts for that newborn baby, that child who loves to nestle in bed at night with the quilt all around. And that young student, first going off to college. That quilt for a young married couple can also be a very special gift of love. The past week I read about a pastor's mother who lived alone, and had a fall at the foot of her bed. She fractured her hip, and was unable to move and could not reach her phone. Two days later, she was found, but it was too late. She had gone to God's warm, loving care. Her elbows were scraped, and somehow she managed to cocoon herself with a warm quilt that had brought memories of her childhood. Loving hands had made that quilt. Love is a quilt, a quilt is love.
Episode 83: Let George Do It →
In the last warm thoughts column, I shared thoughts on the celebration of Presidents Day. Perhaps the first celebration of Presidents Day was in 1782. George Washington's Birthday was first celebrated in that year. The observance took the place of the birthday celebrations of the various sovereigns of Great Britain, which had been customary during colonial times. Services were held at Washington's home in Mount Vernon and at the Washington Monument in the National Capital. Since George Washington was our first president, he was often called the "Father of our Country." I often thought that perhaps, that was the reason the expression, "Let George do it," still is heard at times of confusion and distress. In front of the Federal Building in New York's financial district, stands on bronze statue of Washington. The world has moved on in a dizzying pace since his time. But the figure has not moved in inch.
Episode 82: Violets & Saint Valentine →
We welcome the month of February. It begins with National Freedom Day, on February 1 and Groundhog Day on February 2. It is the month for Valentine's Day, the month when our attention is focused on love, and gifts of love are presented to those for whom we have warm and loving feelings. It is the month we celebrate Presidents Day, and have many warm and patriotic thoughts for our beloved country. I recently read thoughts about the story of Saint Valentine. Perhaps it is best understood from the poem Helen Steiner Rice wrote that describes what the real meaning of this special signifies.
Episode 81: What is Love? →
When you read this Warm Thoughts column, it will be February, and January has come and gone. Where has the month gone so fast? It has been a month of London Fog flinging, a Crystal Veil over the Heartland! A real Winter Wonderland. February is heart month...the month of Groundhog, Valentine's Day, Presidents Day...Did I forget something? February is also the month when many warm thoughts on love come to mind. And his book, "How to Love," Arthur H Rauner, Jr states, "It is a selfish world." He defines love as not emotions or feelings, but the willingness to sacrifice for another. When we are selfish and look only to support our own causes, we cannot truly love. It is many moons ago that a blind friend of mine read the poem, "What is Love." As her fingers touched each line of Braille, my hearts thoughts followed each word. The author is unknown, and I would like to share these warm thoughts on love with you.
Episode 80: Forgiving Others →
In last week's column, it was mentioned that January 21st is National Hugging Day. I also read about Thank You Day being in January. And the last week in January has long been known as International Forgiveness Week. The other morning I was listening on the radio, and heard it say that a noted doctor stated that, "70% of the people would be released from hospitals in 24, hours, if they knew they were forgiven." A French philosopher once said that, "To know all is to forgive all." Among my heroes of faith are many missionary friends whose forgiving heart has taken them to their former captors. That is the story of St. Patrick who went back to Ireland as a Christian missionary to take the love of Christ. A well known missionary and author of many books, worked among the people who killed her husband, and other missionaries. There are many heroes of faith, who live a life of daily forgiveness. Forgiveness is the mark of maturity. Life is too short to hold a grudge. Harry E. Fosdick once said, "Hating people is like burning down your home to get rid of a rat." The inability to forgive and forget, is what makes one sick. As we have many warm thoughts on forgiveness during International Forgiveness Week, may we remember, there is a little remedy to ease the life we live and make each day, a happier one - it is the word, forgive.
Episode 79: Warm Thoughts by the Fireside →
The home fires may be burning in your home, as we together listen on the radio and watch TV, about the travel challenges many are facing throughout the country. Upon my return from travel to Seattle during the holiday season I was welcomed with 20 degree below zero weather. However, my heart was warmed as I listened to the phone messages and read the many cards, letters and precious thoughts, which I received. You all really made my day! Among the thoughts sent to me was a letter from my friend Dr. Green in Vermillion, South Dakota. She included thoughts from an unknown author, which I feel are so warm and precious - indeed to be shared with you, dear readers of this warm thoughts column.
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."
Episode 77: A Church on Fire →
In last week's column I shared with you many warm thoughts on accepting challenges in life, with a heart filled with thanks. Each day brings us new challenges and changes in our lives. And sometimes it seems unbelievable in our way of thinking about challenges.
Episode 76: Giving Many Thanks →
Thanksgiving Day is a very special holiday for many families. Family traditions are often carried out on this day in many homes. It is also a good time to remember what we often forget - to say that we are grateful to be together. And to acknowledge with thanks, each other. It is a time to thank the people who have made a difference in our lives. Many warm thoughts come to mind. Recently I read some thoughts by Albert Schweitzer, a pioneer African missionary, and I would like to share his thoughts on thankfulness.
Episode 75: Remembrance from the Heart →
Every Veterans Day brings to mind many memories. It is also known as Armistice Day, and in some locales, it is Remembrance Day, Victory Day, and World War One Memorial Day. Some places observe silent memorials at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month each year. It is a time of remembrance from the heart to all who stood tall for freedom. These thoughts by an unknown author, say it very well.
Episode 74: America's Hope for the Future →
November. We are thankful as we complete the gathering in of ripened crops that mature under the autumn skies. In November we honor our veterans who fought so that we stand free. We give thanks for our freedom of worship set in the beginnings of the pilgrims' landing, and the signing of our Declaration of Independence. It is the month when Abraham Lincoln delivered his Gettysburg Address November 16th 1863, that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom. So that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth. J. Edgar Hoover wrote an essay about the hope for America's future.
Episode 73: Learning from the Cows →
The author who wrote the book, "All I ever Learned I Learned in Kindergarten," could not have meant it for the generation who were born before kindergarten began. Since I never attended kindergarten, I find special joy and listening to granddaughter Trina telling me what she is learning in her kindergarten class. She is learning some new songs I've never heard before, among other things that I do not know. How exciting it must be to go to kindergarten! I was amused the other day when I read an essay written by an unknown author entitled, "All I Need to Know About Life, I Learned From a Cow."
Episode 72: Mothers & Daughters →
It is always a joy to have that extra hour in your life in the fall of the year when the time changes. Change. Yes. Change is a way of life. The month of October makes us really aware of the joys we experienced when seasons change in some parts of the world.
Episode 71: Little Acts of Kindness →
It is such a joy to receive letters from the readers of this warm thoughts column. Your comments are always greatly appreciated. I have learned that there are many who appreciate the art of poetry and essays. Recently, the following poetry thoughts came across my desk. I am not sure who wrote them, but they brought encouragement to my friend who shared these thoughts.
Episode 70: Skipping Kindergarten →
Now that you know about that humor box that needs a filing system, you may just be a little curious what gems of thought are in that box. I have always been blessed whenever I listen to the children. Consequently, I file away their thoughts in my treasure thoughts, along with that bit of humor that adds zest in my day.
I remember reading this poem, years ago.
Between the dark, and the daylight. When the night is beginning to lower, come the pause and the day's occupation. That is known as the children's hour. Amazing as it may seem, some of the greatest creative thoughts come to the children in the evening hour, and we may think that we are too tired.
Episode 69: International Day of Peace →
Remembering 911. America, a day in September, we cannot forget. The month of September will always bring thoughts about 911. On that day, each year, we commemorate the courage so many individuals exhibited when in unimaginable horror, we watched the collapse of the World Trade Center, a burning Pentagon and a smoke filled black hole in the Pennsylvania field. It was on that dreadful day 10 years ago that I was inspired to write these thoughts.
Episode 68: The Gift of Grandmothers →
Recently, at a mother daughter banquet, I was asked to read an essay written by an eight year old daughter. Laughter filled the room, and I was not so sure if the group was laughing at me, or the essay that I was reading. Since National Grandparents Day for this year is another memory, I thought I'd share the essay with you, my dear readers of the Warm Thoughts column. The young unknown author shares thoughts on what is a grandma. I will share thoughts from the essay.