IF WE KNEW HOW MANY TEARS WE'D CRY

IF WE KNEW HOW MANY TEARS WE'D CRY

When we are children we think that time is something that will last. We never think about the changes that wait around the bends in the road of life. It would scare us to death if we realized all the loved ones we would lose along the way, if we knew how many tears we'd cry.

Thank goodness it is knowledge that we learn as we go. Along the way with all the heartache, there is love and laughter, there is hope, and there are dreams that keep us going. When we stop dreaming, we stop living, we stop trying, some folks will just sit in a chair and read and start dying, having given up on life in the real world.

As we age we have to stay connected, it is so easy to drop out of activity and stay home. When the get up and go has got up and gone it is hard to make yourself follow through. When I go to the nursing home to sing, I see my future and I know I must rage against the inevitable as long as I can. “A body in motion tends to stay in motion.” They keep showing this on TV and it got me to thinking, it has helped me regain a lot of flexibility. I don't sit as much as I used to, I make myself move more. I haven't had to use my wheel chair in a while now, though I still can't shop at Wal-Mart wihout one. You Know what they say, “Inch by inch, life is a cinch.”

 I've come a long way this past year for the shape I'm in medically. It is sad when we get old and our family outgrows us. I spend a lot of time on the computer but I have to walk away from this box and have a social interaction with real people as well. My computer pals are a life line though, you keep me smiling, like that old song, your are my sunshine.  I look forward to our daily visits and fishing with my friends in Fish World, the only game I play.

CHILDREN FOREVER AND A DAY

By: Lillian Carol Russell

(Since writing this so many years ago, I have discovered that being a grandmother is one of the greatest joys I’ve known, but alas even my grandchildren are now full grown and grandma spends most of her days alone.)

It seems so long ago and far away,
That I watched my little children play.

Our son with hair so blonde and eyes of blue,
The image of his dad, ‘twas true.

The most precious daughter of any,
With hair the color of a new copper penny.

With boundless energy they grew so fast;
The mold was made, the die was cast.

If only I could only go back in time,
To the days of diaper and nursery rhyme.

Each moment I’d savor more precious than gold,
In my arms once more those babies to hold.

Perhaps a better parent I would be,
As I bounced each one upon my knee?

But only God can see through time and space
And know the end before the beginning takes place.

And so with youthful abandon I let moments slip away,
Thinking they’d be children forever and a day.

Young parent listen and hear me well,
These words of wisdom that I tell:

Savor each moment and hold it fast,
For quickly is the childhood past.

And once your children are all grown,
Your heart will ache for them when they’ve gone.

You will miss the giggles, the hugs, and wiping little tears,
And be amazed how they grew up in such a few short years.



Ephesians Chapter 6:
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.

2 Honor thy father and mother; which is the first commandment with promise;

3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.

4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

5 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;

6 Not with eye service, as men pleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;

7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:

8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.

9 And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.