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 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 135: Thoughts on Love →
When I visit in the homes of family and friends, I will notice a sampler on the wall. These samplers often have words of wisdom, and on the little home on the prairie, I too, have a sampler hanging on the wall in the room where I serve guests a cup of Christmas tea.
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 126: Time to Clutter-Bust →
The other day as I observed the creative clutter on my desk and in my life, I decided that I better get the clutter-busting going. Suddenly I became energized to get rid of any cabin fever I had and begin some spring house cleaning activities. After a week of spring weather in February, I realized that the calendar does not lie. It still is winter for a few more days. This brings memories for me of the spring house cleaning time years ago, and how extensive we went into going into all those expedient tasks. I am still able to recall the years when this spring house cleaning was a major enterprise. One would begin in January to clean closets drawers and kitchen cupboards. And we managed to declutter our home and prepare for the major spring cleaning. Since I failed these tasks in January, I knew I would have to develop a battle plan.
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 123: Who is Your Hero President? →
Presidents Day is Monday, February 19th. We now celebrate all former presidents. We originally honored only George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, both of whom had birthdays during the month of February - February 22nd and 12th, respectively. George Washington was the first and only president to be elected unanimously by the Electoral College. He received all 69 of the votes. He was the first president with false teeth and the first to appear on a postage stamp. He was our country's first president and was known as a father of our country. Abraham Lincoln was the first Republican President and the first president to be assassinated. He was the first to support women's right to vote. There are for US state capitals that are named after presidents. The presidents who have state capitols named after them are Abraham Lincoln, Andrew Jackson, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison.
Episode 122: Love in Every Language →
Since February is national children's month, I thought about writing an essay on what my grandchildren have taught me. They are now in school with children of other cultures. And although they may have graduated from Crayola college, they are colorblind and love their friends from other cultures. Recently, my grandson Trevor was teaching me to count to five in the Japanese language and even write the numbers. Since we will be celebrating Valentine's Day next week, I have researched how to say, "I love you," in 15 languages. (And I, Trina, apologize in advance if I mispronounce any these)