~ MAY ~

Do you remember back in childhood

How we loved the first of May

When we left our flower-filled baskets

On doorsteps, then ran away?

Do you remember how the gayest basket

Was for the one we loved the best.

And in it went the blossoms

That were fairer than the rest;

Such a beautiful and gracious custom

Somehow lost along the way.

But its memories come surging

As we welcome in the May.

by: Milly Walton

HEART

Never take someone for granted.

Hold every person close to your heart.

Because you might wake up one day

And realize that you've lost a diamond,

While you were too busy collecting stones.

~ STRESSED MOMS ~

Severe emotional stress during the first delicate month of a woman's pregnancy may permanently impair the neuro-development of her unborn child, leading to an increased risk of schizophrenia later in life, new research suggests. An article in Time magazine: Stressed Moms, Schizophrenic Kids points to factors, during the development of a child, that leads one to think back to what happened during pregnancy.

The link between maternal stress and fetal development is not new: A study in 2000 suggested, for example, that a mother's stress during pregnancy may increase the risk of congenital brain malformations in her baby. And it has been well established that severe maternal stress is associated with low birth weight and premature birth.

This is an interesting article to read, and made me think back during my pregnancy with my daughter who has Schizophrenia and the events that occurred during the first and second trimester of my pregnancy. Little did I know.......What is interesting though is, all the years my daughter went to therapy, none of the many mental health providers ever asked me for any input, and my daughter went for over 1000 documented visits. Depression often follows when a expectant mother has been abused, mentally, emotionally and physically. Being pregnant only heightens the experience, because the mother has the natural instinct to protect her unborn child as well as herself. Many times the mother feels hopeless and defenseless in her surroundings, and she will put up with just about anything and internalize the hurt, which is not the thing to do. Many years ago, the help was not available, as it is today, and mother's just suffered in silence.

A recent survey by the National Alliance on Mental Illness, NAMI indicates Schizophrenia is a chronic, but manageable disease of the brain. More than two (2) millions Americans and their families face the condition every day. Imagine fighting a health care system that is so fragmented that you can't get what you need to recover from a serious mental illness. Treatment does work, if you can get it. The survey results reveal major gaps between what the public believes to be true about Schizophrenia, what science tells us, and the real experiences and realities of individuals affected by the illness.

THE GOAL OF THE HALLWAY

If you are my family, I will show you love.

If you are my friend, I will be there for you.

If you are my colleague, I will support you.

I will focus on what matters.

While I'm grateful for what is said about me in public...

It's what is said in the hallway that counts.

by: David J. Polloy

~ HAPPY FRIENDS DAY ~

Today is friends day. The definition of friend by Webster is: a person whom one knows, loves and trusts. One who is sympathetic, understands us, supports us (even when we are being jerks !!), accepts us for who we are, and doesn't judge, a favored companion. A friend is one with whom one is allied in a struggle or cause. A true friend to me is one who knows our faults, but loves us anyway. A true friend is someone who will let you know you are alright.

Among my very best friends are my husband, and five (5) daughters. They are the ones that know me best, and know what makes me tick. I feel very fortunate to have my family that I can call 'friends'.

My other friends are my cyber-buddies and my e-mail buddies. They are the ones that visit me routinely and leave comments that boost my spirits. But.....

"WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS"

~ HAPPY EARTH DAY 2009 ~

Earth Day is Wednesday, April 22, 2009. Take time to look at the beautiful things around us. Enjoy the sunrise and sunset. Take time to smell the flowers. Enjoy the budding trees that welcome spring. Then remember who gave us all these gifts, and thank Him.....

~ INCREDIBLE ~

Incroyable talent : Susan boyle
Uploaded by DonLimpo

Dayna posted this on her blog, but I just have to have it mine. What a totally awesome voice. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and yes, beauty does radiate from within. This is a true example of never jumping to conclusions, because you never know what hidden gift God has given a person. It is interesting to watch the faces of the judges right before Susan started to sing. What an amazing difference. This to me was also an lesson in humility. She is so humble, down to earth and so BEAUTIFUL!!!!! I know I will be watching this over and over.

SCATTERED LEAVES

Once upon a time an old man spread rumors that his neighbor was a thief. As a result, the young man was arrested. Days later the young man was proven innocent. After his release he sued the old man for wrongly accusing him. In court the old man told the judge: "They were just comments, didn't harm anyone."

The judge, before passing sentence on the case, told the old man: "Write all the things you said about him on a piece of paper. Cut them up and on the way home, throw the pieces of paper out. Tomorrow, come back to hear the sentence."

Next day, the judge told the man: "Before receiving the sentence, you will have to go out and gather all the pieces of paper you threw away yesterday."

The old man said: "I can't do that! The wind spread them and I won't know where to find them." The judge then replied: "The same way, simple comments may destroy the honor of a man to such an extent, that one is not able to fix it. If you can't speak well of someone, rather don't say anything.

"Let's all be masters of our mouths, so that we won't be slaves of our words."

If only we could eat our words, but once they leave our mouths they often seem to breath, breed and take on a life of their own. Truly words are living things...they create the realities of our lives and can forever impact the lives of others.

THANK GOD FOR LITTLE THINGS

Thank you God, for little things

That often come our way.

The things we take for granted

But mention when we pray.

The unexpected courtesy,

The thoughtful, kindly deed.

A hand reached out to help us

In the time of sudden need.

Oh make us more aware, dear God,

Of little daily graces,

that come to us with "sweet surprises"

From never dreamed of places.

by: Helen Steiner Rice

HAPPY EASTER !!

A lady opened her refrigerator and saw a rabbit sitting on one of the shelves.

"What are you doing in the there?' she asked.

The rabbit replied: "This is a Westinghouse, isn't it?',

to which the lady replied "Yes."

"Well" the rabbit said, I'M WESTING."

" HOPPY" " EASTER "

P.S. I couldn't resist passing this one from my e-mail buddy: Judi M

HOLY WEEK

Monday is the start of Holy Week.

The cleansing of the temple in the Holy City of Jerusalem is thought to have taken place on this Monday.

Tuesday of Holy Week is the day when the churchmen tried to trap Jesus into making a blasphemous statement.

Wednesday is the day when Judas, a disciple, betrayed Jesus so Jesus could be captured.

Thursday of Holy Week is associated with the Last Supper. It is the day before the crucifixion.

Good Friday is the day when Jesus was crucified. It is the day that Christians believe that Jesus sacrificed himself for the sins of men.

The day following Good Friday is called Holy Saturday. The day comes at the end of forty days of fasting.

Easter Sunday is a day of rejoicing and happiness. It is the third day after the crucifixion. It is the day that Christ rose from the tomb, and showed himself to his disciples to carry out his work.

DIFFERENT DRUG PROBLEM

The following letter has appeared on the Internet, and was viewed by many readers. Think it very appropriate to share.

The other day, someone at the store in our town read that a Methamphetamine lab had been found in an old farmhouse in the adjoining county and he asked me a rhetorical question. "Why didn't we have a drug problem when you and I were growing up?"

I replied I had a drug problem when I was young: I was drug to church on Sunday morning. I was drug to church for weddings and funerals. I was drug to family reunions and community socials no matter the weather.

I was drug by my ears when I was disrespectful to adults. I was also drug to the woodshed when I disobeyed my parents, told a lie, brought home a bad report card, did not speak with respect, spoke ill of a teacher, or the preacher, or anyone else, or if I didn't put forth my best effort in everything that was asked of me.

I was drug to the kitchen sink to have my mouth washed out with soap if I uttered a profanity. I was drug out to pull weeds in mom's and grandma's garden and flower beds and cockle burs out of dad's fields. I was drug to the cotton fields in Texas to pick cotton, so I could earn a little spending money. I was drug to the homes of family, friends and neighbors to help some poor soul who had no one else to mow the yard, repair the clothesline, or chop some firewood, and, if my mother had ever known I took a single dime as a tip for this kindness, she would have drug me to the woodshed.

Those drugs are still in my veins and they affect my behavior in everything I do, say, or think. They are stronger than cocaine, crack, or heroin; and if today's children had this kind of drug problem, America would be a better place.

God bless the parents who drugged us !!!

P.S. This is what I was taught as a child, and I really thought I had it rough. Every day I thank my parents for the lessons they taught me. Their love and encouragement is what has gotten me some very tough times. I find the older I get, just how smart my parents were. Love you Dad and Mom, and Thank You for drugging me.

IRISES

STIGMA BUSTING CHALLENGE

NATIONAL ALLIANCE ON MENTAL ILLNESS

SPRING IS HERE !!!

Give a package of Iris bulbs to a neighbor or friend with a note:

The Iris is the symbol of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) in recognition of the many contributions of those with mental illness, as represented by Vincent Van Gogh's painting of Irises during his hospitalization for mental illness.