Grandma

The relationship of a grandma to her grandchild, regardless of what name she uses with her grandchild, offers wonderful opportunities and possibilities. If Grandma isn’t the main caretaker of a child, she can love without the necessity of correcting the child.  She can focus on the child’s positive characteristics and reinforce beneficial ones with smiles,

Snow

Snow is not an ordinary winter event where I live. As a result, it creates quite a stir. Snow closes activities that would not close in other climates. Schools close. People not proficient at driving in the white, skiddy stuff stay home. The mere thought of snow creates a rush on grocery stores for supplies

Good Advice

“You can look at it differently.” My mother would say when I was perturbed about some interaction with a friend that had upset me. “How about assuming that your friend didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.” Then she would suggest another way to interpret the situation. “Maybe she was just unhappy because someone else hurt

Christmas Decorations

I clapped my hands in delight after I set up my tree and turned the switch to see if the lights still worked this year. I was delighted at the twinkle of the lights. The lights still worked for this year.  There are so many opportunities in December to see decorations that make us smile

Christmas Cards

I’m not sure if the next generation has embraced Christmas cards as much as mine has, but regardless they remain a blessing.  Even if it is only once a year, a card from longtime friends who no longer live nearby brings delight. If it also contains a sentence or two beyond those printed on the

Thankfulness

Sometimes, we lose track of how beneficial the attitude of thankfulness is for us.  Sometimes, we are in a situation that makes it difficult to muster up an attitude of gratitude. But if we look hard enough and ask for His help, He’ll help us recognize the blessings we have taken for granted and help

Thanksgiving

Sometimes, we lose track of how beneficial the attitude of thankfulness is for us.  Sometimes, we are in a situation that makes it difficult to muster up an attitude of gratitude. But if we look hard enough and ask for His help, He’ll help us recognize the blessings we have taken for granted and help

Reunions

The children had shot up many inches. Smiles revealed spaces where teeth were missing. Grown up smiles had added a line or two. Oh, how dearly we love seeing every face. How wonderful to hug these loved, but usually far away people. If relationships are loving, the very word, reunion, fills us with pleasure. What

Anticipation

The phone call brought amazing, unexpected peace and joy. Who would have anticipated such grand transformations for the two of us, since the call contained some unhappy situations. There are lots of reasons which cause us to anticipate either good or bad results from different activities depending on the circumstances. Happy expectations bring us pleasure,

Reunions

If relationships are loving, the very word, reunion, fills us with pleasure. What a delight we experience when we see long absent friends or family. We are so glad to feast our eyes on people we love, to soak up the sound of their voices in genuine heart to heart conversations, to bask in the