Love and Kindness

How Much You Were Loved! Reflections On A Mother’s Love

My daughter was expecting her firstborn. They were thrilled beyond words. I was fortunate to have time to spend with her during her pregnancy, when we could just think and marvel at the miracle happening to her.

As we sat on the swing one summer evening, I confided to her, “One of these days, you will be rocking your beautiful, perfect child, and suddenly, something will occur to you, about your own mother. It will finally sink in why your mother was strict and demanding and protective and all the things you didn’t want her to be. “You’ll realize, it was not because she was mean or out to ruin your life, as you may have thought at the time. It was all done out of the kind of love you now feel for your own child. Only then will you understand how much YOU were loved.”

A few months later, she called me, tears in her voice. “Mom,” she said, “Tonight it happened. I was rocking the baby and looking at his beautiful face and thinking how much I love him and I suddenly understood how much you loved me. Thank you, mom, thank you so much for loving me SO MUCH.”

Is it all worth it…what you go through to be a mother?

Oh yes, oh yes, indeed!

[Show #290]

Surviving Our Parents

Backstory

This week’s radio show is a reminder of how baby boomers miraculously survived the perils of their childhoods. Did you ever realize how at-risk we were? Free wheeling daredevils who lacked the multiple safeguards bestowed on today’s kids. Let me know what you remember of your perilous upbringing.

Surviving Our Parents

Hey you kids out there, born and raised in the 40’s, 50’s or 60’s! Have you ever wondered how we managed to survive this far?

We were born to mothers who smoked or drank while they carried us. Our baby cribs were covered with bright-colored lead based paint. We had no child proof lids on medicine bottles or cabinets. We shared one soft drink among many friends and ate white bread and real butter. We spent pennies on candy and drinks that were pure sugar. But we stayed slim because we were always outside playing.

Boys got a BB gun for their 10^th birthday and nobody got their eye knocked out regardless of what your mom predicted. We rode our bikes without helmets, and hung our heads out car windows, untethered by seat belts. We even rode by the dozens in the open backs of pickup trucks whoopin’ and hollerin’ all the way to the swimming hole. And once there we swung by ropes from trees and dropped into the water wearing no water shoes.

Now, I’m not advocating this kind of fearless shenanigans. Just marveling at how we all survived them to tell about it. Things sure have changed.

But one thing is sure; kids, one day you will find that you survived your parents too!

Show #214

For Mothers Everywhere: The Consider This Gift CD

In anticipation of Mother’s Day I have recorded a wonderful tribute to mothers I think you’ll enjoy. It’s only a minute and a half. Take a break, click the arrow on the audio player above, and enjoy.

I’ve also put together some of my favorite recordings from the Consider This series into a gift album that’s perfect for Mother’s Day, birthdays or any time. It’s available with or without special gift box packaging. Here are the details. The CD has gotten rave reviews, and it’s a marvelous companion for your next road trip:

Consider This Gift CD – Vol 1: A Heartwarming Collection About Life and Love

The gift CD includes dozens of stories, messages, and lessons in short, easy-listening format. Written and narrated by Annette Petrick of the popular radio show, Consider This. Annette presents a refreshing, positive viewpoint wrapped in humor and love. Her delightful short stories and messages will renew your outlook on life, encourage you , and bring you great enjoyment. Her deep insights present new ideas to ponder. You’ll relate to the anecdotes, laugh at the ironies, and weep at the poignant moments she’ll help you recall. Whether tender, humorous, or bold, her fascinating presentations will enrich your day.

Deluxe Gift Boxed Vol. 1 Consider This Gift CD with personalized gift card and bonus PDF book – $16.95

(Shipping charge for 1 to 5 Gift CDs is only $3.00)

Consider This Gift CD, Vol. 1 with bonus PDF book – $14.95

(Shipping charge for 1 to 5 Gift CDs is only $3.00))

Order using Credit Card via PayPal

cd_deluxe* — Deluxe, boxed gift set with bonus PDF booklet

Don’t like to order online? We understand!

Print form below and mail with your check to:

Consider This
PO Box 114
Woodstock, VA 22664

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Qty _______ Consider This CD, Vol. 1 with bonus PDF book – $14.95 each

Qty _______ Consider This CD, Vol. 1 in deluxe gift box with personalized gift card and bonus PDF book – $16.95 each

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No Christmas Tree This Year

This year is the first time we are going to have no Christmas tree.

We planned to leave our home up north just before Christmas to spend the winter in Florida. So why bother dragging out all those ornaments and lights and stuff. So much easier this way.

Of course I did love looking at the sparkling angel that topped the tree. A gift one year long ago from a dear friend no longer with us.

After the holiday last year, I packed the Christmas ornaments into boxes, labeled with the names of each of my kids and grandkids. I included in each, a list of who made each ornament, or why it was purchased or who had gifted it…even how it was found at a yard sale or a craft sale. Opening each of those boxes this year would have brought back so many happy, sometimes distant memories.

Well, I can just remember it all this year without all the fuss. No tree. No trouble. Make sense. Who needs it.

The lights flickering different colors on the branches…The tree skirt made by my sister surrounding the base and then barely visible, for the gaily wrapped gifts that cover it.

On the other hand, it IS only once a year. And we WILL be here for most of December. Ah shucks, we can do without a tree NEXT year. For this year, bring it on.

Christmas, I am yours!

[Show #469]

Stories Of Christmas Past

At the local Rotary Club, members arrange programs for the weekly meetings. This year, I had the program right before Christmas.

I asked Rotarians to bring and tell their own Christmas stories…stories of a Christmas past. For my story, I read a script from one of these radio shows. A young pastor was inspired by the way a mom and dad taught their young children the meaning of Christmas. Their story became the essence of his Christmas sermons for the next 50 years.

Another Rotarian recalled the Christmas when his dad was out of work. There was no money for a tree. He scraped together $3, walked three miles to where the trees were being sold, and dragged a scrawny tree – all he could afford – all the way home in the snow. Although he was just 16, he took responsibility for his family’s good Christmas.

There were stories of gratitude for gifts provided by the Club. Tales of elderly brought happiness by a Christmas visit. A veteran club member told of spending Christmas on a war-torn island in the Pacific.

Even those who told no story out loud seemed filled with private memories remembered. It was such a good program – just sharing special moments with people who had become friends through the fellowship of giving and caring and being proud Americans.

[Show #468]

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