If there was one place I could be this New Year's Eve, I wish it was my Grandpa's farm in far east Gippsland. (Sadly, this cannot be because the farm was sold just before Grandpa passed away.)
The only music would be the sound of the cicadas, instead of the loud cacophony coming from the neighbours.
We would watch the stars, instead of the fireworks (many of which are illegally set off).
The only drinking would be cups of tea/coffee as we chatted about the memories from the year just ending and our hopes and dreams for the year to come, instead of the raucous, crude language coming from people around us who have consumed too much alcohol.
And, I wouldn't have to explain to people that I actually find New Years Eve a difficult day to navigate because today would have been my Dad's 63rd birthday and I miss him.
Tom was born earlier than expected and had the doctors worried. His big brother wasn't worried though, he saw angels outside his window and knew everything would be okay.
My Brother Tom is a story for older siblings of premature babies to help them make sense of what is happening at a difficult time.
About the Author:
Michelle is an author of children’s books, who is also available for workshops on writing for children, book signings and school readings.
Michelle Worthington was born in Brisbane, Queensland and currently works and lives in the Redlands. She enjoys travelling and has spent time studying in France where she lived for a year.
Winner of the 1988 Little Swaggie Award and other Australian poetry competitions, she has been published in numerous Australian and International poetry anthologies. Since a very early age, Michelle has shown a love of words and rhyme, and has always excelled at English and Creative Writing. Graduating with a Bachelor of Arts from University of Queensland in 1996, Michelle is currently undergoing studies to further her career as a published author and book publisher.
Australian publisher, Wombat Books has released her first children’s picture book titled The Bedtime Band. It is the story of what the animals in the Australian bush get up to when children are at home asleep in their beds. Michelle has two sons, Jordan and Cody, who she has read to every day since they were born, as she believes in the importance of fostering a love of books in children. Her books encourage children to use their imagination and dare to dream big. Michelle’s other titles are available at www.michelleworthington.com.
My Thoughts:
Helping children understand what is going on in their world is important. I don't know what the statistics are on how many children are born prematurely, but it is a traumatic time for everyone. Older siblings need to understand what is going on and why their parents need to be with their sibling. This book is a good way to do that.
I'm proud of my sisters.
They have had some health issues in recent years but keep on going. Not complaining, just getting on with life as best they can.
I like to sit with my family and either watch a movie or play board games.
I used to love going over to my best friend's house and hanging out with her, but that hasn't been possible since she moved out of the country.
One thing that I never really done in my life is make long-term plans. Sure, I have ideas of what I would like life to be, but so far none of that has worked out. This week's question says:
Where do you want to be five years from now?
In 5 years I would really like to be married and raising a family. I'd like to be a stay-at-home Mum.
Hello everyone! It's time for another conversation question.
What traits did you inherit from your mother/father?
From my Dad, I inherited a good sense of direction. I can work out which way to go to get to where I need to be without a map (most of the time). He also taught me how to read maps and navigate, so I have not trouble planning a route to take. I'm still using maps today - no GPS for me (at least not yet).
From my Mum, there are many things - a love of craft and sewing; the desire to care for others.
From both parents - faith in God, which I have now made my own; love for family; and a love of reading.
The best thing about my family is that when things need to get done we band together. If someone is having a crisis or just a bad day; if there is celebrating to be done; whatever the case may be we are there for each other, making sure what needs to be done, is done.
Oops! I missed last week. But I'll do double this week.
So, first question:
What's a family tradition you love?
One of my favourite family traditions is that every year we make a new Christmas tree decoration for each family member. I love it because our tree tells a story of the years gone by. We haven't done it every year, but we started in 1992, and since 2003 we have had a new decoration every year. Most are hand made, but some are memory things, like where the item was bought or the year my sister used clear glass balls and put the name of each family member inside. When it comes time for me to start a family of my own, I will have my decorations to use and keep the memories going. Yes, our tree looks very eclectic, but I like it that way. I'm not someone who likes a perfectly colour coordinated and matching tree.
That God sent His Son, Jesus, to take my punishment so that I will not be separated from Him for eternity, but will instead spend eternity with Him in heaven.
My family - we may not always agree, but we are there for each other.
A day off. Seems trivial, but this term has been hectic with 2 jobs (which is why I missed last week), so I'm glad for a little time off to rest, recharge and get some things done that I haven't had time for.
For a long time I've wanted to know about my family history. There are a lot of stories, but how true they are remains to be seen. There is a lot of information available about my Mum's side of the family, but very little about Dad's - and that is what fascinates me the most.
Dad came to Australia from England with his parents as a 6 year old, after spending time in the West Indies and Jamaica. We haven't had much contact with the family back in England, so finding out family history is very hard.
I've been trying to do some searching on the internet, but all the family history sites require you to sign up and pay.
Tonight I was doing some internet searching and decided to look up the ship that brought Dad and my Grandparents to Australia. I found some very interesting things, including the crew list and a video of still photos of the ship!
It was fun to see! I just wish there were some photos from the voyage that brought Dad here!
Lynne and Chris have raised five children who are now adults. Lynne's practical experience comes from the quality time spent with her own children. She successfully implemented her All-In Night for over 16 years using simple yet productive activities that included the whole family. She now shares these ideas at speaking events and through her book.
About the book All-In Night is a family routine. For one night of the week everyone stays home. By spending ten to twenty minutes together, you can learn and talk about the things that matter. Following on from Lynne's original book this set of new activities is designed especially with Christian families in mind. An activity or discussion point each week. The book includes 40 weeks of activities, designed as 1 per week of the school year.Activities include love languages, listening for God, self-esteem, the fruits of the spirit and many more. These fun and simple family activities provide an opportunity to grow values, goals, hopes, feelings and the foundation for a Christ led life. All-in Night works with two kids or ten. Let it become the heart of your family's life. My Thoughts I think I needed to read Lynne's first book, "All-In Night" to fully understand what is in this book.
While this book is not totally relevant for me right now (being a single woman with no children) it is one that I hope to be able to share with friends who are married and have children.
Having time with your family and opportunities to teach your children is so important. In my job, I see families and children falling apart because everyone is too busy to spend time together.
When I was growing up, we didn't have structured nights like this, but we did spend time together as a family. I still remember the ways my parents encouraged us to learn Bible verses (getting Lego boards was exciting - for each dot we learned a new verse)!
Even now, we still spend time around the dinner table as a family and talk about a whole range of topics - serious and funny.
If you have a family (or are planning one) get these books and start having family All-In Nights!
Sometimes, it’s hard to find special time for your mom because she always seems available. The holidays can make it more difficult to nurture the mother-daughter relationship. However, this season allows for activities to do with your mom that are not available at other times. Here’s a list of activities that I enjoy doing with my mom:
Make Christmas cookies. You and your mom can make cookies for friends, a charity or for the family. In this case you are getting to enjoy time together, while serving others. The time alone baking is a good time to just talk about life.
Go Christmas shopping together. It’s gotta be done so why not do it together and make it a date!
Wrap together! You can talk while doing it and it puts you in the Christmas spirit. You could even add some hot chocolate and a Christmas movie into the mix to make it even more festive.
Everyone gathers around and shares a meal during the holidays, but someone has to make it. Most likely that person is your mother. Not only would she appreciate your help, but also your company in the kitchen. This is a wonderful time to bond over tradition, family and yummy food.
Take time for tea. Whether it’s at a cozy tea place or in your fire-lit living room, conversation over a cup of tea goes a long way.
One of my family’s favorite parts of the holidays is the decoration. My mom is usually in charge of decorations and I happen to love helping decorate for the holidays. So, set aside a day or a few hours to deck the halls together.
Choose a charity you both support. Make a meal, take people those cookies you made, think of some way you can give back in your community and do it together. Serving can draw you closer and change lives.
With all the family, friends and parties that happen around the home during the holidays, the home itself takes quite a beating. Maybe, one way to spend some time together while showing your mom you want to help is helping her clean. Cleaning the house together can be fun and can result in some laughs and great conversation.
Sit down together and write Christmas cards, or write individual cards to loved ones to accompany the gifts. You could even sneak your mom a note during this activity. It’s a gentle way to say you care. A little note goes a long way.
Now, I don’t knit, sew or garden, but I can paint and so can my mom. If there’s any artsy activity that you both do, sit down together—or get up and go—and get creative. It might even make good gifts for your other loved ones.
Some of these activities appeal to different people, and some are easier than others, but all are good ways to bond with your mom during the holidays while having fun and getting into the spirit! Enjoy!
So I've been reading Robin Jones Gunn's book, 'Cottage by the Sea' and right from the start there are things in it that have impacted me.
I've been going through a tough patch (for a variety of reasons) and there are things in this book that are like food for my soul. So here are some of them:
'I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who calls you by name.' Isaiah 45:3
May you always have work for your hands to do. May your pockets hold always a coin or two. May the sun shine bright on your windowpane. May the rainbow be certain to follow each rain. May the hand of a friend always be near you. And may God fill your heart with gladness and cheer you. - Irish Proverb
An Irish Prayer
May God give you For every storm, a rainbow, For every tear, a smile, For every care, a promise, And a blessing in each trial. For every problem life sends, A faithful friend to share, For every sigh, a sweet song, And an answer for each prayer.
May the raindrops fall lightly on your brow. May the soft winds freshen your spirit. May the sunshine brighten your heart. May the burdens of the day rest lightly upon you. And may God enfold you in the mantle of his love.
Wishing you always Walls for the wind, A roof for the rain, And tea beside the fire; Laughter to cheer you, Those you love near you, And all that your heart may desire.
This is good book, but for me a hard one to read. It brought back a lot of memories from when my Dad was sick and we were helping Mum care for him.
1. I hold many things in my hands, but not my toes.
2. My sister is someone I like to travel with because we then get to spend time together.
3. That day, when my Dad passed away, I knew life would never be the same.
4. I start a new career this year.
5. Trust must be earned, sometimes more than once.
6. As for the future, I am in the dark.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to being at home, tomorrow my plans include going to an engagement party and Sunday, I want to enjoy the fellowship at church and a quiet afternoon!
My love of tea began as a little girl when visiting Nanna and Papa (Dad's parents). Papa would always offer me a cup and pour it from the tea pot, raising the pot up and down to make bubbles!
The milk ALWAYS went in first and then the tea. Forget tea bags! It was always loose leaf black tea and you used a tea strainer while pouring to prevent the tea leaves from going in your cup.
There was a little chorus that Papa would sing sometimes and I found it. Listen to this (not sure about the choice of picture though):
My current love for different types of tea began more recently after I read Dead as a Scone by Ron and Janet Benrey. This book, although fiction, got me thinking and interested in the different tastes of the teas mentioned. I even used a Darjeeling Tea packet as a bookmark!
I also found it facinating when the character, Flick (Felicity) was describing what happens when boiling water is poured on the tea leaves. Call it the 'tea dance'!
Anyway, if you want a bit more information about this try having a look at their website. You can find it here.
The idea to include this topic in My Favourite Things, came after seeing an episode of Treasure Hunt on the ABC. It was all about tea caddies and I was facinated by them, plus Tunbride Ware was mentioned. Unfortunately I can't find the episode anywhere to rewatch it, and no other information about it. It was filmed in 2002, so that's hardly surprising.
Anyway, my current interest in different types of tea was fuelled by discovering T2! T2 is a shop that sells teas of all kinds - black, green, white, red, fruit infusions (or as the French say, tisanes). And then they sell everything you need to be able to drink your tea - teapots, infusers, teacups and saucers.
My current favourites are Melbourne Breakfast, Perth Breakfast, Morning Tea (no longer available), and Turkish Apple.
I love being able to go into a store and try the teas they have available for tasting and finding out different ways you could have them. For example, Turkish Apple is yummy warm, but it is also perfect cold. It's one of my favourite drinks on a hot summer day - loaded with slices of fresh apple and a few fresh mint leaves! I really want to try the cinnamon one. I think that may be like spiced apple cider!!
A cup of tea really is a great thing. It can make you feel better when sad, and is best shared with a friend.
I'm even thinking of having High Tea for my next birthday!
I have a feeling I may have blogged this story before, but I think it it worth it.
PLEASE READ THIS E-MAIL. ANYONE WHO HAS CHILDREN WILL UNDERSTAND AND APPRECIATE THIS STORY.
NEVER LOOSE FAITH IN THE POWER OF CHILDREN Would you make the same choice????????? At a fundraising dinner for a school that serves children with learning disabilities, the father of one of the students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended. After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he offered a question:'When not interfered with by outside influences, everything nature does, is done with perfection. Yet my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do. Where is the natural order of things in my son?'The audience was stilled by the query.The father continued.'I believe that when a child like Shay, who was mentally and physically disabled comes into the world, an opportunity to realize true human nature presents itself, and it comes in the way other people treat that child.'Then he told the following story:Shay and I had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball. Shay asked, 'Do you think they'll let me play?'I knew that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but as a father I also understood that if my son were allowed to play, it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence to be accepted by others in spite of his handicaps.I approached one of the boys on the field and asked (not expecting much) if Shay could play. The boy looked around for guidance and said, 'We're losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him in to bat in the ninth inning.'Shay struggled over to the team's bench and, with a broad smile, put on a team shirt. I watched with a small tear in my eye and warmth in my heart. The boys saw my joy at my son being accepted.In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three.In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the right field. Even though no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from ear to ear as I waved to him from the stands.In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again.Now, with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base and Shay was scheduled to be next at bat.At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win the game?Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible because Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball.However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher, recognizing that the other team was putting winning aside for this moment in Shay's life, moved in a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least make contact.The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed.The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly towards Shay.As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher.The game would now be over.
The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman.Shay would have been out and that would have been the end of the game.Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the first baseman's head, out of reach of all teammates.Everyone from the stands and both teams started yelling, 'Shay, run to first!Run to first!'Never in his life had Shay ever run that far, but he made it to first base.He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled.Everyone yelled, 'Run to second, run to second!'Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and struggling to make it to the base.By the time Shay rounded towards second base, the right fielder had the ball. The smallest guy on their team who now had his first chance to be the hero for his team.He could have thrown the ball to the second-baseman for the tag, but he understood the pitcher's intentions so he, too, intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third-baseman's head.Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of him circled the bases toward home.All were screaming, 'Shay, Shay, Shay, all the Way Shay'Shay reached third base because the opposing shortstop ran to help him by turning him in the direction of third base, and shouted, 'Run to third!Shay, run to third!'As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams, and the spectators, were on their feet screaming, 'Shay, run home! Run home!'Shay ran to home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero who hit the grand slam and won the game for his team.
'That day', said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, 'the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity into this world'.Shay didn't make it to another summer. He died that winter, having never forgotten being the hero and making me so happy, and coming home and seeing his Mother tearfully embrace her little hero of the day! AND NOW A LITTLE FOOT NOTE TO THIS STORY:We all send thousands of jokes through the e-mail without a second thought, but when it comes to sending messages about life choices, people hesitate.The crude, vulgar and often obscene pass freely through cyberspace, but public discussion about decency is too often suppressed in our schools and workplaces.If you’re thinking about forwarding this message, chances are that you're probably sorting out the people in your address book who aren't the 'appropriate' ones to receive this type of message. Well, the person who sent you this believes that we all can make a difference.We all have thousands of opportunities every single day to help realize the 'natural order of things.'So many seemingly trivial interactions between two people present us with a choice:Do we pass along a little spark of love and humanity or do we pass up those opportunities and leave the world a little bit colder in the process?A wise man once said 'every society is judged by how it treats it's least fortunate amongst them'.You now have two choices:
Bob Richards, the former pole-vault champion, shares a moving story about a skinny young boy who loved football with all his heart. Practice after practice, he eagerly gave everything he had. But being half the size of the other boys, he got absolutely nowhere. At all the games, this hopeful athlete sat on the bench and hardly ever played.
This teenager lived alone with his father, and the two of them had a very special relationship. Even though the son was always on the bench, his father was always in the stands cheering. He never missed a game.
This young man was still the smallest of the class when he entered high school. But his father continued to encourage him but also made it very clear that he did not have to play football if he didn't want to. But the young man loved football and decided to hang in there. He was determined to try his best at every practice, and perhaps he'd get to play when he became a senior. All through high school he never missed a practice nor a game but remained a bench warmer all four years. His faithful father was always in the stands, always with words of encouragement for him.
When the young man went to college, he decided to try out for the football team as a "walk-on". Everyone was sure he could never make the cut, but he did. The coach admitted that he kept him on the roster because he always puts his heart and soul in every practice, and at the same time, provided the other members with the spirit and hustle they badly needed. The news that he had survived the cut thrilled him so much that he rushed to the nearest phone and called his father. His father shared his excitement and was sent season tickets for all the college games. This persistent young athlete never missed practice during his four years at college, but he never got to play in the game.
It was the end of his senior football season, and as he trotted onto the practice field shortly before the big play off game, the coach met him with a telegram. The young man read the telegram and he became deathly silent. Swallowing hard, he mumbled to the coach, "My father died this morning. Is it all right if I miss practice today?"
The coach put his arm gently around his shoulder and said, "Take the rest of the week off, son. And don't even plan to come back to the game on Saturday
Saturday arrived, and the game was not going well. In the third quarter, when the team was ten points behind, a silent young man quietly slipped into the empty locker room and put on his football gear. As he ran onto the sidelines, the coach and his players were astounded to see their faithful teammate back so soon. "Coach, please let me play. I've just got to play today." said the young man. The coach pretended not to hear him. There was no way he wanted his worst player in this close playoff game.
But the young man persisted, and finally feeling sorry for the kid, the coach gave in. "All right," he said. "You can go in".
Before long, the coach, the players and everyone in the stands could not believe their eyes. This little unknown, who had never played before was doing everything right. The opposing team could not stop him. He ran, he passed, looked and tackled like a star. His team began to triumph. The score was soon tied. In the closing seconds of the game, this kid intercepted a pass and ran all the way for the winning touchdown. The fans broke loose. His teammates hoisted him onto their shoulders. Such cheering you never heard!
Finally, after the stands had emptied and the team had showered and left the locker room the coach noticed that the young man was sitting quietly in the corner all alone. The coach came to him and said, "Kid, I can't believe it. You were fantastic! Tell me what got into you? How did you do it?"
He looked at the coach, with tears in his eyes, and said, "Well, you knew my dad died, but did you know that my dad was blind?' The young man swallowed hard and forced a smile, "Dad came to all my games, but today was the first time he could see me play, and I wanted to show him I could do it!"
Like the athlete's father, God is always there cheering for us. He's always reminding us to go on. He's even offering us His hand for He knows what is best and is willing to give us what we need and not simply what we want. God has never missed a single game.
What a joy to know that life is meaningful if lived for the Highest. Live for HIM for He's watching us in the game of life.
As newlyweds, my wife and I hosted a family get-together at our apartment, which had a large grassy field and superb children's playground next door. My wife organized games outdoors for our eight nieces and nephews, and the laughter and activity drew other children, until about thirty kids were playing and clamoring for my wife's attention. After three hours, she called it quits.
The next morning while we were getting ready for work, two boys knocked on our patio door and asked if our children could come out and play. I told them we had no children; our nieces and nephews had just been visiting. Looking momentarily dejected, they brightened considerably as they asked, "Well, then, can your wife come out and play?"
In September 1960, I woke up one morning with six hungry babies and just75 cents in my pocket. Their father was gone. The boys arranged fromthree months to seven years; their sister was two. Their Dad had never been much more than a presence they feared. Whenever they heard histires crunch on the gravel driveway they would scramble to hide undertheir beds.
He did manage to leave $15 a week to buy groceries. Now that he haddecided to leave, there would be no more beatings, but no food either.If there was a welfare system in effect in southern Indiana at thattime, I certainly knew nothing about it. I scrubbed the kids until theylooked brand new and then put on my best homemade dress. I loaded theminto the rusty old 51 Chevy and drove off to find a job.
The seven of us went to every factory, store, and restaurant in oursmall town. No luck. The kids stayed crammed into the car and tried tobe quiet while I tried to convince whoever would listen that I waswilling to learn or do anything. I had to have a job. Still no luck.
The last place we went to, just a few miles out of town was an old RootBeer Barrel drive-in that had been converted to a truck stop. It wascalled the Big Wheel. An old lady named Granny owned the place and shepeeked out of the window from time to time at all those kids. She neededsomeone on the graveyard shift, 11 at night until seven in the morning.She paid 65 cents an hour and I could start that night.
I raced home and called the teenager down the street that baby-sat forpeople. I bargained with her to come and sleep on my sofa for a dollar anight. She could arrive with her pajamas on and the kids would alreadybe asleep. This seemed like a good arrangement to her, so we made adeal. That night when the little ones and I knelt to say our prayers weall thanked God for finding Mommy a job. And so I started at the BigWheel.
When I got home in the mornings, I woke the baby-sitter up and sent herhome with one dollar of my tip money--fully half of what I averagedevery night.
As the weeks went by, heating bills added a strain to my meager wage.The tires on the old Chevy had the consistency of penny balloons andbegan to leak. I had to fill them with air on the way to work and againevery morning before I could go home. One bleak fall morning, I draggedmyself to the car to go home and found four tires in the back seat. Newtires! There was no note, nothing, and just those beautiful brand newtires. Had angels taken up residence in Indiana? I wondered. I made adeal with the owner of the local service station. In exchange for hismounting the new tires, I would clean up his office. I remember it tookme a lot longer to scrub his floor than it did for him to do the tires.
I was now working six nights instead of five and it still was notenough. Christmas was coming and I knew there would be no money for toysfor the kids. I found a can of red paint and started repairing andpainting some old toys. Then I hid them in the basement so there wouldbe something for Santa to deliver on Christmas morning. Clothes were aworry too.
I was sewing patches on top of patches on the boy's pants and soon theywould be too far gone to repair. On Christmas Eve, the usual customerswere drinking coffee in the Big Wheel. These were the truckers, Les,Frank, and Jim, and a state trooper named Jack. A few musicians werehanging around after a gig at the Legion and were dropping nickels inthe pinball machine. The regulars all just sat around, talked throughthe wee hours of the morning, and then left to get home before the suncame up.
When it was time for me to go home at seven o'clock on Christmasmorning, I hurried to the car. I was hoping the kids would not wake upbefore I managed to get home, get the presents from the basement, andplace them under the tree. (We had cut down a small cedar tree by theside of the road down by the dump.) It was still dark and I could notsee much, but there appeared to be some dark shadows in the car-or wasthat just a trick of the night?
Something certainly looked different, but it was hard to tell what. WhenI reached the car, I peered warily into one of the side windows. Then myjaw dropped in amazement. My old battered Chevy was filled full to thetop with boxes of all shapes and sizes. I quickly opened the driver'sside door, scrambled inside and kneeled in the front facing the backseat. Reaching back, I pulled off the lid of the top box. Inside was awhole case of little blue jeans, sizes 2-10! I looked inside anotherbox: It was full of shirts to go with the jeans. Then I peeked insidesome of the other boxes: There was candy, nuts, bananas, and bags ofgroceries. There was an enormous ham for baking, and canned vegetablesand potatoes. There was pudding and Jell-O and cookies, pie filling andflour. There was a whole bag of laundry supplies and cleaning items. Inaddition, there were five toy trucks and one beautiful little doll.
As I drove back through empty streets as the sun slowly rose on the mostamazing Christmas Day of my life, I was sobbing with gratitude.Moreover, I will never forget the joy on the faces of my little onesthat precious morning. Yes, there were angels in Indiana that long-agoDecember. And they all hung out at the Big Wheel truck stop.
The following is the philosophy of Charles Schultz, the creator of the "Peanuts" comic strip. You don't have to actually answer the questions. Just read straight through and you'll get the point.
1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners from best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.
How did you do?
The point is, none of us remembers the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Acheivements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.
Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:
1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Thnk of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.
Easier?
The lesson:
The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care.
I was told to pass this on to those people who have made a difference in my life.
Easier?
