Desiderata by Max Ehrmann

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY ~ 2010

A WOMAN'S LIFE

Each season of a woman' life,

contains some joy and pain.

Her life is always changing,

nothing ever stays the same.

He life is like a blossom,

blooming as she grows

She starts out as a tiny rosebud,

and turns into a rose.

Each season holds a special place,

within her loving heart,

It starts with giving birth to one,

with whom she'll never part.

It seems to be a natural thing,

to nurture, love and care.

Her child will grow in love and grace,

knowing Mother's there.

Her wisdom and knowledge will grow over time,

the blossom will change through the years

her children are now her small little buds,

she'll be there to calm their fears.

Her child will grow, and so shall she,

life seems to move so fast,

but as the world moves along,

It's the memories that will last.

Through the years a woman's role,

will change just as the seasons.

Suddenly her needs are new,

and there's never rhyme or reason.

But deep within her being.

She knows she's passed the test.

She's lived, she's loved, she's experienced all.

And earned her minutes rest.

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 long along the way.

But it's memories come surging

As I welcome in the May

[Walton]

I have so many fond memories of when I was a child. These are the memories that have kept me focused throughout my life. Our family may not have had the most of everything, but we had the best of everything that really counts...thank God for loving parents.

TAX DAY

IT'S APRIL 15, 2010 ~ DO YOU KNOW WHERE YOUR TAXES ARE ~ FILED, I HOPE

PERSPECTIVE

Mary and me, West Yellowstone, Montana

PERSPECTIVE

One day, the father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the express purpose of showing him how poor people life. They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.

On their return trip, the father asked his son "how was the trip?" The son replied, "it was great Dad." Did you see how poor people life, replied the father. Oh yeah, said the son. So tell me, what did you learn from this trip, the fathered replied. The son answered:

• I saw that we have one dog and they have four
• We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end.
• We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night.
• Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon.
• We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight.
• We have servants who serve us, but they serve others.
• We buy our food, but they grow theirs.
• We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them.

The boy's father was speechless. Then his son added, "Thanks Dad for showing me how poor me are."

Isn't perspective a wonderful thing? Makes you wonder what would happen if we all gave thanks for everything we have, instead of worrying about what we don't have.

~ WINTER TIME FUN ~

Let's all go outside today, and play in the snow like Kermit the Frog. Let's make snow angels and imagine we are 8-10 years old. For just one day, let's put all the heavy duty stuff going on in the world, on a back-burner and pretend we are kids again.

I guess if you don't have snow, you can just go out and play on the grass. If people think we are "nuts" just let them, just for today.

FEBRUARY

When February tires of her somber dress

She tucks ice diamonds in her hair

With Charming carelessness...

Sometimes she enfolds herself

In cloak of ermine snow...

And always, at her waist she wears

A Valentine-red bow !

SAD NEWS !!

Please join me in remembering a great icon of the entertainment community. The Pillsbury Doughboy died yesterday of a yeast infection and trauma complications from repeated pokes in the belly. He was 71.

Doughboy was buried in a lightly greased coffin. Dozens of celebrities turned out to pay their respects, including Mrs. Butterworth, Hungry Jack, the California Raisins, Betty Crocker, the Hostess Twinkies, and Captain Crunch. The grave site was piled high with flours.

Aunt Jemina delivered the eulogy and lovingly described Doughboy as a man who never knew how much he was kneaded. Doughboy rose quickly in show business, but his later life was filled with turnovers. He was considered a very smart cookie, but wasted much of his dough on half-baked schemes. Despite being a little flaky at times, he still was a crusty old man and considered a positive roll model for millions.

Doughboy is survived by his wife Play Dough, three children: John Dough, Jane Dough and Dosey Dough, plus they had one in the oven. He is also survived by his elderly father, Pop Tart.

The funeral was held at 3:50 for about 20 minutes.

If this makes you smile for even a brief second, please rise to the occasion and take time to pass it on and share that smile with someone else who may be having a crummy day and kneads a laugh !!

People with mental problems are our neighbors. They are members of our congregation, members of our families; they are everywhere in this country. If we ignore their cries for help, we will be continuing to participate in the anguish from which these cries for help come. A problem of this magnitude will not go away. Because it will not go away, and because of our spiritual commitments, we are all compelled to take action.

~Rosalynn Carter~

These thoughts are taken from Mental Health Ministries. Please help erase the stigma of mental illness by saying a prayer, and welcoming a mentally ill person into your congregation, regardless of their faith. Welcoming a mentally ill person into your community, church, school or just anywhere, gives them a sense of belonging and this is one thing that will help them recover their identity, which has been lost by mental illness.