Love and Kindness

Peace Within

Backstory

This story was written at Christmastime – the holiday best known for giving – and receiving. I was thinking about how little I desire, to be content. I scripted this to wish the same for you.

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Peace Within – #508

I have a very special wish for you. I wish that there be peace within you today. May you feel calm and serene in your world. May you trust that you are exactly where you’re meant to be in this moment of time. Wish not for more or less. Leave the wishing for someone less fortunate than you.

Resurrect the memory of the infinite possibilities that are born of faith in yourself and others. Use the gifts you have been given. Recognize those gifts for the treasure they are and pass on the love that has been given to you.

Remember that the gifts need not be huge. They can be small and fine and pleasure one person at a time. If you are using a gift that has been conferred on you, you are doing all that the universe could possibly expect of you. And God is pleased with you.

May you be content with yourself just the way you are. Let this knowledge of who you are settle into your very center. Allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love.

What a wonderful day this can be as you follow your heart, use your gifts, and accept the opportunities you have to do something fine today and prepare for tomorrow.

P.S.

Even if this message finds you in turmoil today, take the moment to recognize the blessings in your life as well as the trials. If you can’t better your world today, add warmth and pleasure to another’s world. Help someone else to be content.

[Show #508]

Popovers

Backstory

It’s not like I’m the Kitchen Master. Kitchen Monster may be more like it. Once I was the mother who cooked seven meals on Sunday so there would be home-made dinner, the whole week. My recent forays into the cooking den, however, usually involve turning on the microwave. But this one baking challenge, I just had to conquer.

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Popovers – #487

I had been on a mission to learn how to make popovers. These are a very simple breakfast treat. Something like Yorkshire Pudding.

Very simple set of ingredients, but you have to get everything just right. The temperature of the pre-set oven, a special pan heated in the oven before the batter is poured in, the temperature of the ingredients, the length of baking, and of course, the foibles of my particular oven.

In over a dozen tries, my family put up with a whole bunch of popunders, while I mastered all the techniques.

Now, I have it down pat. When my family hears that popovers are on the way, they know they will be perfect. Golden brown, crusty on the outside, empty on the inside. It took a long time and many tries, but I learned something new by conquering the baking of popovers.

That was a few months ago though. Since then, I have learned lots and lots of new things. My goal is to learn something new each day. Do you do that too? When it does not come organically through my interactions during the day, I use the internet to connect me with some new learning.

Never a day should go by without you learning something; from baking the best cookies to learning Bill O’Reilly’s latest new word. Crown each day with learning and you’ll never grow old.

P.S.

It’s OK to give yourself credit for easy new things learned too. Like figuring out how to pull the ring on the soda can without ruining your nails. Pat yourself on the back and move along.

[Show #487]

Mom’s Wedding Hat

Edited 1-19-20

Backstory – Mom’s Wedding Hat

Out in the country where we live, auctions have always been a big deal. You never know what to expect. You may find treasures offered – or collections of mayonnaise jars. There could be dozens of locals and household items go for pennies on the dollar – or the city folk may have poured in, raising bids beyond affordable.

In years past, auction items would be displayed on farm wagons, with bidders standing around. Then the auctions were brought into large buildings, with chairs for all the bidders. Sometimes you’d shake your head over the prices paid.

We went to auctions to furnish our weekend farm house. We were in the market for virtually everything. Then, over time, we filled out our home and no longer needed the basics. Then the auction became more of an entertainment. We looked for something unusual or enticing, rather than something we needed.

That’s the state we were in when I went to the auction that is the subject of this week’s story. Didn’t need anything; just watching for something I might want or enjoy. Boy did I find it! Please listen in and hear what happened.

Consider This Show – Mom’s Wedding Hat

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There it is, on the auction block; the exact replica of the hat my mom wore on her wedding day in 1936. I want that hat!

The auctioneer is selling a trike first. Some fortunate kid will see it in the morning and tonight, it will cost his parent only $5 . . . No, $10 . . . No – OMG it’s up to $25. Well, you just never know.

Ok, here comes the wedding hat. I have to be careful not to overbid and not to let someone else get it.

It’s very distinctive. Lots of veiling and feathers. And such good shape. Old, but obviously box-kept – sort of like a car that is garage-kept.

Well the suspense is now building. My heart is racing. I just HAVE to be sure the auctioneer sees my bid. I want that hat!

He is starting the bid at $50. Way too much for me. No wait, there are no takers at the high bid. The auctioneer is down to $20 . . . now $10. OK – I bid. $5. Hold my breath. The auctioneer asks for a bid of $7.50. None comes. Going once, going twice . . . OMG, I got the hat. It is mine!

My piece of family history, come to life. Wait ‘til I tell . . . everyone.

P.S.
Nothing like the thrill of winning – especially when it only costs you five bucks!

[Show #370]

Creating Memories

Backstory

My daughters and I were laughing about a party held at our big New Jersey home decades ago, when they were still small. It was hilarious to hear their take on the party from their aspect, as a young child on the side-lines.

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Creating Memories – #603

Recently, I told you about the surprise birthday party in my honor. It lasted one afternoon. But the aftermath is what I want to share with you. Because that event had a life of its own. It was like seeing a movie that keeps repeating in your head.

For weeks, I went to sleep remembering a vignette or a conversation or a hug shared that afternoon. I knew the memories of that day would be with me forever.

But the good part is that it gets to play over and over WITH OTHER PEOPLE as well. Every time I get together with a friend who was there, or a relative who helped plan or run the event, the warm rush of affection happens all over again. I hear what THEY took away; entirely different from what I did.

So the gift provided by the folks who planned and attended that surprise party did NOT fill just one afternoon. It became another story that is part of my life. How precious!

So I have a suggestion for you. If you are invited to a surprise party . . . or any such event . . . GO! Make the time, go out of your way to get there. Does it matter if you are in the crowd? Yes, it does.

You are giving the gift of time and sharing, to someone you care for, who no doubt loves you in return. The scope of the gift you provide by your attendance is immeasurable. It will pleasure the person honored with happy memories and provide stories to tell, for years to come. Don’t miss it. Be there.

P.S.

We celebrated my mom’s 75^th birthday some 20 years ago, and family members are still posting photos, remembering the laughs and memories it conjured up. We plan to put those photos together into a book. Of course, we have planned that, for twenty years now.

[Show #603]

Christmas Stories At the Club

Backstory

Last year, I wrote a book of Christmas stories from Consider This. The book is available this year too, on Amazon. Tiny Little Stories of Christmas Joy, Love and Wonder.

I was gathering up stories for the book when I was asked to present a Christmas program at a Rotary Club meeting. I shared a few of my stories and asked who had their own story to share. We entered a world of reminiscence, emotion and love, as these personal stories were told.

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Christmas Stories At the Club – #660

At the local Rotary Club, members arrange programs for the weekly meetings. This year, I had to arrange 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 my Consider This radio shows. In it, 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 who were 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 to be filled with private memories that were remembered. It was such a good program – just sharing special moments with people who had become friends through the fellowship of giving, caring and being proud Americans.

P.S.

While you are about your chores and business this holiday season, ask others about their most memorable Christmas – good or bad. Invite them to share a story. You may be amazed at how people will respond. The story telling seems to shake loose old holiday memories. They may be ordinary or off the wall. But it’s usually true. Like the man said, “You can’t make this stuff up.”

[Show #660]

A Friend’s Advice

Backstory

It makes me so happy to share this story with you. I think you will hear the joy in my voice when you listen. My dear friend Joan was the catalyst for a life-changing decision. I am so grateful to her for speaking up. But you’ll find out for yourself.

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A Friend’s Advice – #640

In a recent story, I told how my friend Joan had encouraged me to let Bill put a ring on it. I was hesitant and she pointed out that time was passing and each day was one we could have enjoyed as husband and wife. She said, “You don’t want to run out of time!”

She was right, so I said to Bill, “About getting married, you want to do it now?” Like in time travelers, we were suddenly signing papers at the courthouse.

I called Joan and said, “On Friday, are you willing to drop everything and come be a witness at our wedding?”

She agreed in half a second. So I got three other dear friends and there we were in front of an officiant, in the presence of God, saying our home made vows.

Bill was asked, “Do you take Annette . . .” and he responded with a really fast “yes,” before hearing the rest of the question. He was oh so ready to be a husband.

It was joyous, it was simple, it was fast and it was meant to be. Our home is full of love and each day is precious. And it happened because my friend Joan took the initiative to encourage us to see what was right before our eyes.

We should all be thankful for friends whose advice and guidance help us make better decisions in life.

P.S.

We are now two years into this new married relationship. Joan was so right. It does indeed make a difference. It feels solid and firm; like it’s real, rather than just playing house. Whatever the future holds, we are there for each other. Trust, respect and love abound. So much deeper, now that it involves the commitment of a husband to his wife and the wife to him.

[Show #640]

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