Recently, one of the readers of this column from Texas sent me an article entitled, "We Are Survivors: Consider the Changes We Witnessed." I thought it appropriate to share some of the thoughts from this article. Individuals who were born prior to 1945 will especially understand the changes in their lives.
Episode 237: Count Your Blessings →
Some time ago, a dear friend and great grandma who has faced many emotional challenges in her life, shared some thoughts about counting. This dear friend regularly reads this Warm Thoughts column and wanted to share the thoughts by an unknown author with all you dear readers out there, somewhere. We live in an age where we have many choices and changes. Some time ago, I heard someone state that "pain is inevitable, but misery and being miserable is a choice." In the School of learning and hard knocks, the following thoughts may warm our hearts and perhaps motivate us in our own countdown.
Episode 236: The Challenges 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 blabbers 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, but only a decade or two ago." It is interesting how many couples are in their 50th, 60th and even 70th wedding anniversaries. More individuals are also reaching that century mark. The late George Burns stated, "I see people who, the minute they get to be 60, start rehearsing to be old. They practice when they sit down and grunting when they get up, and by the time they get to be 70, they're a hit. They've got the part - they're old."
Episode 235: See a Silver Lining in Every Cloud →
August is the time of year that families take that last fling and perhaps go to the mountains before school starts. It is often a quiet time of reflection, a time to reflect on many happy summertime activities. At a quiet moment, I discovered some beautiful thoughts by an unknown author that I'd like to share with my loyal readers of the Warm Thoughts column.
Episode 234: Learning Over a Cup of Tea →
Summertime. Good old summertime! It is a good time to get in some summer reading. My grandchildren from Ohio sent me the book, "If Tea Cups Could Talk," by Emily Barnes. I have enjoyed reading the many warm thoughts in this book over a cup of tea. I've also had many special moments with the grandchildren, as we have our tea party.
Episode 233: Listen & Learn →
Recently, I read a book by H. Jackson Brown Jr. entitled, "Live and Learn and Pass it On." In the book, people, ages 5 to 95 share what they have discovered about life, love, and other good stuff. Some of the thoughts are a bit humorous, but somehow we can get the message. I've personally discovered throughout my years that if we really listen, we can learn so much.
Episode 232: What Would It Say? →
During July, in the month when we celebrate independence day, many patriotic thoughts come to mind as I see "Old Glory" wave high in the skies. If that flag could speak, what would it say? In my thought file, I have the following thoughts about our flag.
Episode 231: The Year I Was Born →
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 230: Family - Community of Love →
Many of the readers of this warm thoughts column are aware that I write these lines a week before you have the opportunity to read the column. When you read this column, I will have returned from the International Congress on the Family, which was held on July 5th - 9th in Denver, Colorado. So stay tuned to this column as I will share with you my personal experiences and thoughts from this Congress.
Episode 227: Old Glory →
When you read this column, it will be only a few days before Flag Day. I have often wondered if "Old Glory" can 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 225: Celebrate Family →
This Warm Thoughts column on family, during National Family month, had a beginning as I was 16,000 miles in the air - flying over beautiful Ohio and returning from visiting families in Ohio. It was very special to be able to attend the grand opening of the Warner Funeral Services in Mansfield, Ohio. Another highlight of my Ohio visit was to be able to attend the graduation ceremonies of my granddaughter, Rosa Warner. Six-year-old Rosa was radiant as she walked across the stage and received her "Master's Degree in Kindness Acts" from kindergarten. It was so special for her two Grandmas to share that moment.
Episode 222: What Makes a Happy Family? →
Easter joy! May all of you who read this column have a joyous Easter season. The day of Easter 1993 may be history, but the joy of that first Easter and the joy of every Easter sunrise service and every Easter celebration since that first Easter will live on and on. In my last column I shared some warm thoughts about Bethlehem and the plight to the Holy Land. If it were not for Easter, the season of Christmas would not be a celebration. Easter is truly a celebration of life.
Episode 220: April Fools & 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 bit. It did seem to be permissible for just a day. You tried to fool at least one person. It was just a fun game.
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 218: Family & Friends →
When you read this column, spring is on the calendar! Oh, the wonderland of spring. The birds begin to sing their springtime songs. Winter is past and sweet spring has come at last. The trees that once were lifeless will begin to turn green. Many schools throughout the country have had their spring break already and the next holiday to look forward to is Easter holiday. It is a time for special times with family and friends. Among the many Irish sayings, Irish Gerard Butler wrote some beautiful thoughts on family and friends which I would like to share with you.
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 215: A Visit from the President →
When you read this Warm Thoughts column and look at the calendar, it tells us that Abraham Lincoln's birthday is February 12th. In the one room country school where I went as a child, the pictures of George Washington and Abe Lincoln hung on the wall along with the ten commandments. In those years, the government recognized two President holidays in February. These two presidents became examples of compassion and courage in my life. George Washington was our first president and known as the father of our country. Abraham Lincoln was president during the Civil War. Very recently, I read an incident about Abraham Lincoln that happened in the Civil War. It really touched my heart during this heart month, and I felt compelled to share these thoughts on caring and compassion with you.
Episode 214: Grandma Quilt →
February - heart month - the month for Valentine's Day. The month we think "spring" even if all man winters still has his fling! Brrrr! It has been cold! One needs to keep warm with the extra comforter that would be at the foot of the bed in grandma's day. No cold chill could penetrate the warmth of that comforter as it radiated grandma's love and care. That quilt was grandma's legacy. Recently, my friend experienced all the excitement of being a grandma for the first time. My gift to her was a baby quilt, and a poem I wrote. Since many of my readers have expressed appreciation of poetry thoughts, I will share with you the poem I gave with the quilt.
Episode 213: Footprints in the Snow →
Many warm thoughts come to mind as one views snow covered mountains and valleys. Pleasant memories can be rekindled by the warmth of a glowing fire in the fireplace, as we read cards and letters from family and friends. A few weeks ago I received a letter from old friends who live in the heartland of America, who have endured many winters of snow and ice in their lives. These thoughts were included on their card.
Episode 212: The Afterglow of that Bright Star →
Many years in the past, I would write the family Christmas letter on January 6th, the Christmas of the Gentiles - the festival that commemorates the appearance of the Christ child as the promised Savior to the Gentiles and to all the world. A few days before Christmas, I spent some time with family and friends in Nebraska. While there, Trina, my seven year old granddaughter wanted to make a gift for her parents. Since she is reading now and loves to tell stories, she wanted to write "A Merry Christmas Story." She dictated each word for me to print. As I patiently listened to each word, I became a bit weary and felt challenged to listen to the rest of the story. "Grandma, we can't forget about the kings," I heard her say. And so she continued, "It was a star that led three kings from a faraway country to come to Bethlehem too."