Just like most of you, I really enjoy browsing through the old boxes full of memories and treasures of the past that we have all safely tucked away in our homes for many years. These could include a host of things, including: our children’s baby books, an old hockey sweater, a tattered book of autographs, your secret diary, your first corsage, the gas cap off our first car, albums full of wonderful pictures, and on, and on.
All of these keepsakes probably have very little value, except to us, and to share with others as a small but precious part of our unique adventures in life. This week I found several very neat little articles that explain just how important that the simplest benefits, gifts, and memories of our busy lives can be for all of us, then and now, and should never be taken for granted.
Who are the poor people?
One day, the father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the express purpose of showing how poor people live. They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.
On their return from their trip, the father asked his son how the trip was. “It was great, Dad.” “Did you see how poor people live?” the father asked. “Oh yeah,” said the son. “So tell me, what did you learn from the trip?” asked the father.
The son answered this very special way:
“I saw that we have one dog and they have four. We have a pool that reaches to the middle of their garden and they have a creek that runs free and has no end.”
“We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the real stars at night. Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon out their back door.”
“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 food, but they grow theirs.”
“We have walls around our property to protect us, and they have friends to protect them.”
The boy’s father was speechless! Then his son thoughtfully added, “Thanks dad for showing me how poor we really are.”
Isn’t perspective a wonderful thing? It makes us wonder what would happen if we all gave thanks for everything we have, instead of what we don’t have? We should strive to appreciate every single possession we have, especially our family and friends, because as life is quite often too short, it means little without these precious amenities.
A country child’s wish.... written by Jeanette Prediger for the 1958 Sylvan Heights’ School Yearbook.
I wish that every city kid could see the morning dawn,
With pasture grass a’ sparkle ‘till the morning dew is gone;
And then behold the brilliant blooms of flowers growing wild,
A gift the Lord has sent to show His love for every child.
Chorus:
Oh let us have a merry, merry time and go out every day;
Enjoying the bright sunshine while it is here to stay.
I wish the kids from city streets could play in stacks of hay,
And feed the cows and chickens that could also find their way,
To brooks and streams that trickle through the small parts of the woods,
And know that Mother Nature owns far more than worldly goods.
I wish the kids who play in streets could see the wondrous sites,
Of sunsets as they slowly fade from gold to grey of night;
And hear the soothing melody that sighs through friendly trees,
To bring to man and bird and beast a blessing on the breeze!
What is a family?
A family is a place to cry, to laugh, to vent frustration;
To ask for help, to tease and yell, to be kissed and hugged, and to be smiled at.
A family is people who care when you are sad;
Who love you no matter what, who share your triumphs, who don’t expect you to be perfect, but to just grow with honesty in your own direction.
A family is a circle, where we learn to like ourselves;
Where we learn to make good decisions, and where we learn to think before we do.
A family is where we learn integrity and respect for others;
Where we are special, where we share ideas, and where we listen and are listened to.
A family is where we learn the rules of life to prepare ourselves for the world.
The world is a place where anything can happen;
But if we grow in a loving family we are ready for the world!
*A person is now able to fly across the United States in eight hours...four hours of flying and the other four to get in and out of the airport.
No matter how March came in please think spring, and have a great week, all of you!