When many of you will be reading this warm thoughts column, the season of fall we'll be here. Of all the seasons of the year, autumn is a favorite season for many people. It is one of the most colorful seasons of the year - an artist's paradise. The bright blue skies, frost in the air, beautiful sunsets, hot summers - many warm thoughts come to mind. Autumn is a season that has inspired many artists authors and poets. Samuel Butler states that "Autumn is the mellower season and what we lost in flowers we more than gain and fruits."
Episode 150: Grandparent Hugs →
Every year at this time I am reminded by letters I received about International Hug Day. This year, it is September 17th. It is rather interesting that it is a week later than Grandparents Day. The National Grandparents Day is the second Sunday in September every year.
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 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 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 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 112: A Tribute to My Son - A Vietnam Veteran →
A TRIBUTE TO MY SON:
A Vietnam Veteran
by Dr. Luetta G. Werner
Just why did you do it... go to war?
So many people wondered why
You volunteered to serve your country;
You left as a teen and said, "Good-bye."
To serve your country…that was your goal.
You believed the cause was to fight to win.
God was your quide and stayed by your side,
And you felt His great love again and again.
The scars of this war will always be there.
You went a teen and came back a man.
Faith in your god and prayer saw you through,
Love for your country and this prairie land.
May God bless all those who serve their country!
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 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 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.
Episode 103: If Teacups Could Talk →
Episode 103 - If Teacups Could Talk
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Summertime. Good, ole' summertime. It is a good time to get in some summer reading. My grandchildren from Ohio sent me the book, "If Teacups Could Talk" by Emily Barnes. I have enjoyed reading the many warm thoughts in this book over a cup of tea. I have also had many special moments with the grandchildren, as we have our tea party. I have learned some interesting lessons about tea cups. China dishes recovered from shipwrecks are often good as new, long after the ship itself has dissolved in the salt water. Porcelain is fragile, but it is also remarkably durable, like us, like life. Humans are beautiful and breakable, like china cups. Humans can heal and grow and move beyond disaster, we can reach out to one another and encouragement and comfort. Nancy Reagan has stated that a woman is like a tea bag. It's only when she's in hot water that you realize how strong she is. Tea Time offers so many wonderful possibilities for nurturing friendships, and if tea cups could talk, they would say so much about the past, and also about the future. For hundreds of years "come for tea" has been another way of saying, "Come, let's share a little bit of our lives together." If tea cups could talk their message no doubt would be "Use Me."
Episode 102: Live and Learn and Pass it On →
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 have personally discovered throughout my years that if we really listen, we can learn so much. The following are a few quotes from from individuals and it lists their age, when they said these words.
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 100: Mailed Letters - A Gift of the Past →
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 through 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 59: The Millenial Generation →
Recently, I read an article on the Millennial generation. I found it most interesting and would like to share my thoughts on this generation with my readers. We have heard and read about the Baby Boomers and the Generation X, Baby Busters. But what do we really know about the next generation? Neil Howe, and William Strauss have written a groundbreaking new book titled, “The Fourth Turning,” to describe what is being called the Millennial generation. That generation, beginning with those born in 1982 and later, is now entering high school. Howe and Strauss have discovered that this emerging generation is considerably different from the Gen Xers, who preceded that there were significant findings about Millennials, that will affect the way youth activities will be like in the next few years. Millennials are a generation nurtured during a veering of protective family structures, they are looked upon very favorably by elders. Movies that tended to demonize Gen Xers now characterize Millennials, as virtuous, and nearly angelic. Older people are very interested in protecting this generation.