Children learn what they live.
If a child lives with criticism
he learns to condemn.
If he lives with hostility
he learns to fight.
If he lives with ridicule
he learns to be shy.
If he lives with shame
he learns to be guilty.

If he lives with tolerance
he learns confidence.
If he lives with praise
he learns to appreciate.
If he lives with fairness
he learns about justice

Dorothy Nolte 1924 - 2005

"Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass,

It's about dancing in the rain."

Happy Birthday Mom...

You're HOW old?!

In observation of Poem in your Pocket Day, here is a poem just for you.

Everything Mom

How did you find the energy, Mom
To do all the things you did,
To be teacher, nurse and counselor
To me, when I was a kid.

How did you do it all, Mom,
Be a chauffeur, cook and friend,
Yet find time to be a playmate,
I just can’t comprehend.

I see now it was love, Mom
That made you come whenever I'd call,
Your inexhaustible love, Mom
And I thank you for it all.

By Joanna Fuchs

A gentle breeze from Hushabye Mountain

Softly blows o'er lullaby bay.

It fills the sails of boats that are waiting--

Waiting to sail your worries away.

It isn't far to Hushabye Mountain

And your boat waits down by the key.

The winds of night so softly are sighing--

Soon they will fly your troubles to sea.

So close your eyes on Hushabye Mountain.

Wave good-bye to cares of the day.

And watch your boat from Hushabye Mountain

Sail far away from lullaby bay.    

Everyone should be told they are beautiful until they believe it.

 Happiness is like a butterfly. 

The more you chase it, the more it eludes you.

But if you turn your attention to other things,

It comes and sits softly on your shoulder.

 - Henry David Thoreau

 "We can't take any credit for our talents. It's how we use them that counts."
                                                                                                                                                  Author Unknown

 No matter what, no matter how, where or who - you can always turn around and get a second chance 

Just Me

 When I  change to please others, I end up not liking myself.  I should be true to who I am, just because that IS who I am.

“You come to love not by finding the perfect person, but by seeing an imperfect person perfectly.” –Sam Keen

Until We Meet Again

My cousin wrote this shortly before she was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma.  She was 22 yrs. old.  She went to see Jesus today.

~After the Rain~

"Maybe you've been scared, at times left behind
Your life wasn't easy and maybe still not
but you know that everyone has struggles and strife

The point is that you've found a way to move through this life
Cause there's always a rainbow after the rain
There's always a smile after the pain

So don't get discouraged if things happen again
Just remember the rainbow that comes after the rain."

Celeste Nicole Poll

1989-2012