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 145: Off-the-Wall Humor & Down-to-Earth Inspiration →
Throughout the country, many schools will be opening their doors already in August. Summer vacation will soon end. For some, it has been a time for summer reading and summer school activities and preparation for the coming school year.
Episode 144: The Parent of all Virtues →
In last week's column, it was mentioned that one of the best attitudes is gratitude. Thanksgiving Day is celebrated one day of the year. Thanksgiving and thanksliving is an attitude that can be practiced every day, making it a daily habit. My observation throughout the years is that the happiest persons are the most grateful individuals. They live "The Attitude of Gratitude" each day of their lives, an awakened, revitalized recognition of our blessings encourages gratitude thoughts.
Episode 143: Milestone Birthdays →
Dear readers, today is my 70th birthday. Among the cards I received was a very special poem given to me by my sister-in-law and special friend throughout the years. Last February, family celebrated her 65th birthday, and she has accepted the aging process very gracefully. When family surprised me and celebrated my birthday in June, she shared these thoughts.
Episode 142: A Letter →
It is such a joy to receive letters from the readers of this column. I appreciate it so much when they include some gems of thought that I can share with you all throughout this column. In this day of high technology, the fax machine is used to communicate, (email and the computer) for our relationships. That personal handwritten letter may soon become a gift of the past. Here is the thought a faithful reader from Florida sent me.
Episode 139: Fatherhood Throughout the Years →
When you read this warm thoughts column, Father's Day 1997 will be another memory. A dear Nebraska reader of this column sent me some thoughts on Father's Day - precious thoughts to ponder all year.
Episode 138: Old Glory →
When you read this column, it will only be a few days before Flag Day. I have often wondered if Old Glory could tell her story, just what she might tell us. Recently, I read some warm thoughts which I'd like to share with you, my dear readers of this column.
Episode 137: Like Flying a Kite →
June. The month for Children's Day, Father's Day, Flag day. A month for birthdays, wedding anniversaries, bridal showers, weddings, graduations, family reunions and the celebration of family. I find it very interesting that Children's Day and Flag Day fall on the same day and Father's Day and the first day of summer are also on the same day this year.
Episode 136: Our Lady of Freedom →
When you read this last column for the month of May, many thoughts come to mind about Memorial Day. As we reflect on the many Memorial days of the past, we experience many warm thoughts on peace and about our land of freedom. In this week's column, I will share a poem sent to me by a lady in her 80s. She is a very special friend who has been a real inspiration to me, especially during the last several weeks. She is a distinguished member of the International Society of Poetry, and her poetry will be featured in the "Best Poems of the 90s," a publication of the National Library of Poetry. And most recently, she was inducted into the Eastern Kentucky University's Hall of Distinguished Alumni.
Episode 134: Standing Strong in Life's Storms →
Surprise, surprise! It was indeed a surprise when the storm and tornado hit Canistota last Friday evening. Oftentimes we read or hear about these stormy events, but it is another thing to experience it. For many there were tears over the losses. But what warm thoughts we have when we observe how a community works together and can stand stronger through life's storms. As we survived the tornado together, one could only observe a caring community and a community who really cares for one another. One cannot help but be reminded of the words of Philip Brooks who once said, "Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger people. Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers equal to your tasks." Those thoughts inspire us to stand strong throughout the storm of life.
Episode 133: A Mother's Letter to Her Daughter →
When you read this warm thoughts column, it will be just a couple of days before Mother's Day. Many families will be together on this special family day honoring their mother. Recently, I read an essay - a letter a mother wrote to her daughter. It touched my heart and no doubt will be taped on a kitchen cabinet or refrigerator. And so I will share it with you my readers.
Episode 132: Reap What You Sow →
Spring is here and many of you are preparing your fields for planting and putting in your gardens. It always reminds me of the verse, "A man shall reap what he sows," Galatians 6:7. Recently, my daughter from Wisconsin came to visit me and wrote me this poem about planting seeds of love. Dear mother, you always taught me that you will reap what you sow. So we should always do unto others what you want them to bestow. But there are days when it is hard to live those words, it's true. Yet, I remember the lessons you taught me in the example I learned from you. All those days you spent cooking and cleaning, the nights you worked without sleeping, the seeds of love you kept on planting is the love you now are reaping. Even now, as you lay on your hospital bed, and others must give to you. All those years you gave of yourself, those words are coming true. Yes, true living is in true giving, and His love is what we owe. Though it may be years before we realize that someday we will reap what we sow. Ruth Stuhr.
Episode 131: Come with Me, and Abide →
At this time of year, we all look forward to the glorious Easter season and experience the joy of Easter morning. The week before Easter is especially meaningful for me as I recall my pre-Easter pilgrimage to the Holy Land and walking that road to Calvary. When I returned from my pilgrimage, I wrote these thoughts which I've used many times in a slide lecture on "My Journey with Jesus." And now I will share with you, my readers of this warm thoughts column.
Episode 130: Reconciliation Day →
As I flipped the calendar, I was shocked that it was April already and April Fool's Day! Some of the readers of this warm thoughts column will recall the fun we had as children and trying to fool someone on that day, even if we had to lie a little bit. It did seem permissible for just one day. You tried to fool at least one person and it was just a fun game.
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 128: Little, Little Home on the Prairie →
It looked more like Christmas in December when family arrived at the "little home on the prairie" for a spring retreat. The huge snowdrifts had not completely melted, but spring was in the air and in the footsteps of my grandchildren as they helped those snowdrifts to melt, hear the birds sing, and put up the birdhouses. They also had the joy of helping grandma's spring house clean that "little home on the prairie." It was Christmas in the spring of the year as the large Christmas tree was lit at the top of the stairs. Christmas is every day and a very special day when family and visitors come. Grandchildren know there will be a small gift under the tree, and how special to enjoy that cup of Christmas tea.
Episode 127: A Gaelic Blessing →
Every year as St. Patrick's Day approaches, I have very special warm feelings about the Irish blessings I've experienced throughout my long life by having those very special Irish friends. On March 17th, we remember St. Patrick. Who was St. Patrick? He was a boy who had been kidnapped and taken to Ireland as a slave. He managed to escape. However, he returned to spend the rest of his life telling people about the God he loved.
Episode 111: The Purple Hat →
Recently I visited dear friends who are now living in an Assisted Leisure Living Center. Before I left, one of them quoted words from Shakespeare, and another told me about her voice activated computer who gave her information about the purple hat. She shared these thoughts with me and I would like to share them with the readers of this warm thoughts weekly column.
Episode 105: The Attitude of Aging →
Recently I read a very interesting article on the challenges of aging. Studies by the experts state that the generation who are celebrating their 50th, 60th, and 70th anniversaries have succeeded in kicking the belabbers out of the stereotypes of aging. Perhaps this can be explained by one word - attitude. The experts stated, "the attitudes of a 70 year-old today are equivalent to those of a 50 year-old, only a decade or two ago." It is interesting how many couples are their 50th, 60th, and even 70th wedding anniversaries. More individuals are also reaching that century mark.
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.