Dad's Day

I imagine most fathers would agree with Brad Meltzer, author and TV host. 

We are all ordinary. We are all boring.

We are all spectacular.  We are all shy.

We are all bold.  We are all heroes.

We are all helpless. It just depends on the day. 

Fathers are not just ordinary people to their families.  They are key to the family environment, safety, security, contentment, faith, and love.  Fathers can partner with their spouse to create an atmosphere of acceptance, love, peace, hope and accountability. Fathers are the example of what an adult man should be for the young men who idolize and look up to them.  They are a living model of the way to treat a woman, a child, friends, neighbors, co-workers and acquaintances.

A father lives his life as a as a positive resource for his family.  If he puts God first, everything else will fall into place.  Children love, forgive and accept their fathers simply because you are their father. Some children equate their fathers with God since he is called our father.  It is a responsibility of great importance.  Children notice how a father acts.  Is he honest, trustworthy, kind, reverent, and a comfortable listener and teacher?  

There are many fathers in this world.  Biological fathers, step fathers, adoptive fathers, foster fathers, godfathers, substitute fathers, mentors and friend fathers.  Each one is a piece of the puzzle of the questions of life.  Children literally and figuratively look up to the adult males in their lives to figure out how to become a man.  Little girls want to know that they are loved, appreciated, and protected by males in their lives. All children need parents or significant adults to remind them they are special and loved unconditionally.  

Fathering is a life-altering experience for all traditional and nontraditional families.  Remember that you hold a particularly exhausting and many times a thankless job.  The pay of hugs, adoration, utter trust, and gifts made from the heart are not very lucrative financially, but are treasures to be cherished.  

If you feel overwhelmed with fatherhood, remember this quote from St. Philip Neri.  

"Cast yourself into the arms of God and be very sure that if God wants anything of you, God will fit you for the work and give you strength."

Happy Father's Day to all formal and informal fathers!  

Check out my art gallery, book "The Dying Teach Us How to Live" Book, audio book and e book available on Amazon 

Tornados

As I view the devastation from the recent Ohio tornadoes, I remember other parts of the world experiencing floods, hurricanes, fires, droughts and other massive weather destruction.  In Ohio, the most wonderful result of the chaos is the volunteers and community gathering together to help each other.  Gifts of money, time, experience, compassion, and love make something beautiful out of something unimaginable that is out of our control. Today, I am sending you a poem that might make a difference in your life.  

The Way

A loving word, 

 A cheerful smile,

A kindly thought or two...

A helpful hand,

A ready step,

They help, my friend, they do.

A patient heart,

A thoughtful deed,

A willingness to cheer...

An endless day

Of service, friend,

These things make life most dear.

Be kind, do good,

Have loving thoughts

Throughout the livelong day,

Think right, serve God,

Be friend to all,

And you have found The Way!

 Esther Nilsson 

I thank everyone who takes time to assist others who are in need. I know that you would appreciate a helping hand if you were the one in the midst of trouble!  

Check out "The Dying Teach Us How to Live", Book, e book and audio book at Amazon. See my art gallery at illuminangels.com

Words to Live By

1   Accept that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue!

2   Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them.

3   Always read stuff that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it.

4   Drive carefully...it's not only cars that can be recalled by their Maker.

5   If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague! 

6   If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.

7   It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others.

8   Never buy a car you can't push.

9   Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then you won't have a leg to stand on.

10  Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance.


Taken from a church bulletin.

Humor is a wonderful way to take a look at our lives and remember that we have a positive or negative effect on others.  Humor reminds us to keep it positive!

Check out my book,E book and audio book "The Dying Teach Us How to Live" on Amazon, my art gallery and info illuminangels.com

Silence

"A seed grows with no sound but a  tree falls with a huge noise.  Destruction has noise, but creation is quiet.  This is the power of silence.  Grow silently."  Martin Quartro, internet

Silence gives us time to think, regroup, pray, plan, be creative, actively listen, create an opportunity for meaningful eye contact and become open to the universe.  Silence allows others to communicate to us while we learn from them and expand our horizons.  Silence allows us to appreciate the sounds of nature including wind, rain, animal voices, rustling branches, bird calls, water gurgling, laughter, peace, babies, children playing, and clapping. 

If life is filled with music, cell phones, alarms, chaotic meetings, loud concerts, constant talkers, angry confrontations, outdoor sounds of motorized equipment, constant telephone calls, sounds of traffic, motorcycles, backfiring, sirens, etc.

Take time to enjoy the moment, send a thank you, appreciate your family and friends, remind yourself of special, memorable life experiences, remember how special you are and thank God for the life you have been given. 

Silence is the door to mental health, peace and productivity.  You are in control of your life and your decisions. You are a special, unique person with the ability to make a positive difference in the lives of all of the people you encounter each day.  Remember silence is the key to becoming aware of others. 

Explore illuminangels.com for "The Dying Teach Us How to Live" as a book, e book and audio book also available on Amazon. Check out my art gallery!

Mothers Day

Women are Amazing

Women have strengths that amaze men.

They carry children, they carry hardships, they carry burdens

but they hold happiness, love and joy.

They smile when they want to scream.

They sing when they want to cry.

They cry when they are happy and laugh when they are nervous.

They fight for what they believe in.

They stand up for injustice.

They don't take no for an answer when they believe there is a better solution.

They go without new shoes so their children can have them.

They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.

They love unconditionally.

They cry when their children excel and cheer when their friends get awards.

They are happy when they hear about a birth or a new marriage.

Their hearts break when a friend dies.

They have sorrow at the loss of a family member, yet they are strong when they think they have no strength left. 

They know that a hug and a kiss can heal a broken heart.

Women come in all sizes, in all colors and shapes. 

Women are the hope of the world! 

Anonymous Internet

Honor mothers, grandmothers, adoptive mothers, foster mothers, stepmothers, honorary mothers on their special day and remember mothers, although strong, are fragile and have time limits on earth! 

Happy Mother's Day! 

Angels

                We pray that

Angels before you, guide and direct you.

Angels behind you, guard and protect you.

Angels above you, watch over and bless you.

Angels beside you care for, comfort, and strengthen you. 

Light of God, surround you.

Love of God, enfold you.

Power of God, protect you.

Divine Presence of God, be with you

Peace of God, be in your heart.

Wherever you are, God is, and all is well.

Military Outreach, Seton Parish, Pickerington, OH  43247

I hope that you find many angels in your life.  They may be earth angels or heavenly angels.  They quietly go about helping us with our lives. It is up to us to notice their efforts and remember to be thankful and appreciative.  Check out my book, e book and audio book of "The Dying Teach Us How to Live". my art gallery and vinyl prints

                      

The Best Example

When You Thought I Wasn’t Looking As Written By A Child

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned it was good to be kind to animals.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you make my favorite cake for me and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I heard you say a prayer, and I knew there is a God I could always talk to and I learned to trust in God.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don’t.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I felt you kiss me good night and I felt loved and safe.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it and I learned to take care of what we are given.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn’t feel good and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw tears come from your eyes and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it is all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I saw that you cared and I wanted to be everything I could be.

When you thought I wasn’t looking, I looked at you and wanted to say, “Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn’t looking.”

Remember that example is the greatest teacher.  Be the person you want others to look up to!