Memorial Day

"How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes!"
                                                            Maya Angelou

It is a world-wide mandate to remember our warriors who often fought bravely for their country, left their families, homes, loved ones, security, safety, health, safety and lost their lives to confront evil and try to make the world better.

"I don't have to tell you how fragile this precious gift of freedom is.  Every time we hear, watch, or read the news, we are reminded that liberty is a rare commodity in this world."                                                                                                 President Ronald Reagan

The world is especially horrified at the loss of innocent life as a result of terrorism, no matter what country suffers this onslaught of evil carnage and destruction. All of us are disturbed as we witness individuals and groups who have lost their humanity; hatred, discrimination, anger, violence, and terrorism replace love and respect for each other.  I hope that the whole world prays that we can not only identify and stop the terrorists but also try to understand what attracts human beings to this lifestyle. Why would any person choose to live a life of carnage? Is it a loss of hope? Is it a lack of faith? Is it a life that seemingly has no future?  Is it because we are creating this environment and allowing it to flourish because we are not meeting the basic needs of all persons?  

"Patriotism is supporting your country all of the time, and your government when it deserves it,"                                                                    Mark Twain

Let us hope that all governments deserve the sacrifices of our magnificent men and women who choose to serve in the defense of their country and the world.

"In the truest sense, freedom cannot be bestowed, it must be achieved."
                                                          President Franklin D Roosevelt  

Love

"Human love is loving because of something; divine love is loving in spite of everything."  As told to Marsha Tibbo

Human love is confusing, exhilarating, disappointing, exciting, and often muddled as we travel our life's journey.  Many times, love is hard to understand because our communication is imperfect, we often don't say what we actually feel and feelings are overwhelming. Human love can become exceptional love when we are able to forget ourselves and sacrifice for the good of another.  When we can love God and love others as we love ourselves.

Love is not just physical attraction,  It transcends to loving the spirit of the person. Many of us, especially as we age, are not physically beautiful. However, our loving spirit can shine through as we experience the beauty of true love.  Many couples are blessed with a special love that enables them to see their loved one's shining spirit as they learn and accept each other's perfections and imperfections over time.  I met many beautiful people as their bodies and earthly beauty declined.  Their inner beauty was magnificent and compelling.  I remembered these people in my book because they are etched in my mind forever.  It has been a privilege to experience the love of the spirit and realize that it will go on forever.

Mother's Day

"God couldn't be everywhere so He created Mothers," copied from a church sign.

It is easy to take a mother for granted.  She is always there when you are upset, need guidance, need help or need a hug. She may or may not be a blood relative.  She is God's arms on earth to bring comfort and love. It is so hard to think of life without our mother if she has to leave us.  She is always in our heart, mind and memory.

A mother can make mistakes but she is willing to overlook our mistakes if we overlook hers!  She is not always a mover and a shaker, but she is a constant presence in our lives. Often we don't see all of the accomplishments of our mothers because they are primarily our mother. Some mothers are not "motherly" but we know that we are always special to them because we are her children.

If a biological mother is not present physically, emotionally or psychologically it is wonderful when we can find a "stand in" to provide the connections we need.

Mothers can be biological, adoptive, step, or a beautiful woman who steps in to be present for a child. God loves all mothers and takes care of our mothers when we can't.

Mothers have a wonderful example in the mother of Jesus.  She suffered and celebrated with him as he went on his daily journey. Our mothers truly are very special people who deserve to be recognized and celebrated.  Have fun on Mother's Day!

Terminal Illness

WATER IN THE GLASS

A well-known proverb states that an optimistic would say a glass is half full, while a pessimist would say it is half empty.  What would people of different professions and walks of life say?

The BANKER would say that the glass has just under 50% of its net worth in liquid assets.

The GOVERNMENT would say that the glass is fuller than if the opposition party were in power.

The OPPOSITION would say that it is irrelevant because the present administration has changed the way such volume statistics are collected.

The PHILOSOPHER would say that, if the glass was in the forest and no one was there to see it, would it be half anything?

The PSYCHIATRIST would ask, "What did your mother say about the glass?"

The PHYSICIST would say that the volume of this cylinder is divided into two equal parts; one a colorless, odorless liquid, the other a colorless, odorless gas.  Thus the cylinder is neither full nor empty. Rather, each half of the cylinder is full, one with a gas, one with a liquid.

The SEASONED DRINKER would say that the glass doesn't have enough ice in it.  

                                                                

                                                                  Taken from a church bulletin. 

The TERMINALLY ILL person would say that the glass half full or half empty doesn't matter. Life is what we make of it.                                Quote from Pat Acker

Make your life count everyday as you make a positive, lasting difference in the world!