Loneliness

Loneliness is an epidemic, even in the U.S.  People may feel isolated and lonely because of death, age, divorce, moving, children growing up and of so many other things.  I remember a transition period in my life where I dreaded weekends because I would be alone.  If I had at least one plan for the weekend, it would be so much easier.  I would go to church and wish someone would ask me to go to lunch with them.  I had family nearby, but everyone was busy with their own lives!

Mother Teresa talks about the poverty of feeling unwanted in the following quote:

Things They'll Remember:

The stories that you read to them

Before they go to bed

The comfort of your presence

While their prayers are being said

The birthday cakes with candles

For all their growing years

the sharing of their secrets

the drying of their tears

The snowman that you helped create

The visits to the zoo

Summer outings at the beach

The family barbecue

Little things that seem to go

Unnoticed and unsung

Are the things they will remember

Of the days when they were young

And the loving care that lies behind

These little things will be

A lasting recollection

And a cherished memory.

(Found on This 'N That )

Traditions of Kindness- Plant a "Sharing Garden"

Traditions of Kindness- Sharing Garden

I love working in my gardens, especially when I have been blessed with an abundance of something!  One week it may be peonies and another it may be cucumbers.  I love to give them away!
This is a tradition we can start with our children that doesn't have to cost a lot of money and can "harvest" great rewards!
Find a place to grow something.  If you have a place for a garden, that's great!  If not, even a flower pot will do!  Let the children help with the planting and upkeep - What wonderful lessons they will learn!
We are never too poor to find ways to help others!

“Kind hearts are the gardens,                                     Kind thoughts are the roots,                                     Kind words are the flowers,                                  Kind deeds are the fruits,                                Take care of your garden                                 And keep out the weeds,                              Fill it with sunshine                                    Kind words and kind deeds”                                    ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Update:  Several people have shared with us this year!!  It is so wonderful to have fresh squash, tomatoes,  cucumbers, etc.  We only planted a few vegetables in my flower garden this year and I am loving the fresh vegetables!!  Thank you!!

Get Hungry for the Important Things!

This is my prayer for you and for me, that we can concentrate on what's truly important and not just on what's urgent!  Trust me, time with young children and grandchildren goes too fast!

Secret Good Deed:

Make everyone you meet today feel special.  Give them a smile, a compliment, a word of encouragement, a hug or just listen to them!

Children and Outdoor Play - Building Self-Esteem

by Jeannine Carrol 

• Risk in Childhood

Allowing children to face challenges while playing outdoors can build self-esteem.

"When I was growing up, every neighborhood had a vacant lot somewhere where children gathered - building forts, picking berries, digging to China, and just hanging out.  I regret that children do not have that now."  ~Nancy Alexander

How can we safely allow children the freedom other generations were allowed? 

Over "Stuffing' Our Lives

by Jeannine Carroll

A few yeas ago, I was traveling across Mexico.  I had taken my second trip to Mexico to learn more about their culture and way of living.  For three days I lived with a family in the city of Chihuahua.  According to our standards, this was a very poor family, but in their city, they were middle class.  They lived in a five-room cement home, one of the very few with a black-iron security fence around it.

They were a warm and loving family that went out of their way to make me feel at home.  They were so proud to show me that they had a shower and even though I couldn't get the hot water to work, I was very thankful for it!  They always had food prepared when they knew I was going to be there and they asked me each day if I wanted to take a shower.  I know that this family was careful not to waste anything and I really hoped I was not causing a hardship for them.

 As I look at this family, that we would say has very little, I can't help but wonder.

Prayers For Children

by Jeannine Carroll

What were the prayers you were taught as a child?  So many of us were taught this little prayer:

Now I lay me down to sleep.

I pray the Lord my soul to keep.

If I should die before I wake,

I pray the Lord my soul to take.

What were our parents thinking?  Today we would not think of sending a child to bed worrying that they might "Die before they wake"!

Here is a prayer I wrote to replace this one for the children in my life:

As I lay down to sleep tonight,

I pray, Dear Lord, you'll hold me tight

And surround me with your loving arms

Until the morning light.

What are some of the prayers you or your children have prayed?  Please share them with us!

Juggling Five Balls

"Imagine life is a game in which you are juggling five balls. The balls are called work, family, health, friends, and integrity. And you're keeping all of them in the air. But one day you finally come to understand that work is a rubber ball. If you drop it, it will bounce back. The other four balls...are made of glass. If you drop one of these, it will be irrevocably scuffed, nicked, perhaps even shattered."  ~James Patterson

Do you feel as challenged as most parents do when it comes to deciding how your family will use it's time? There are the everyday choices, that are already made for us, such as work, school, and chores. Then you add church, sports, volunteering, entertainment, etc.   We feel like we need more hours in our day!!

Do you know that children can feel the stress of having too many things to do?  Even though they may be the ones asking or even begging to be allowed to be involved in sports, clubs, plays.or special events, parents need to be the gatekeepers that will help them to find a balance.

Making time in our schedule for important activities, takes courage.  Courage not to be influenced by the urgent or even good activities, when they put too much stress on our family!  Trust yourself!  If you are feeling overwhelmed, even by doing good, chances are, your children are, too!