Those 70ish Girls

Thinking about family tonight. All of the generations...

Never underestimate the power of a story.

I have more tales than I can count in my inventory.

I’ve heard them told so many times, I should know them all by heart.

On both sides of my family storytelling is an art.

First there was my Grandpa, whose stories never ended.

Just as it was winding up, his story was amended.

I try to tell Dad’s stories. Most are favorites of mine,

But I usually crack up, before getting to the punchline.

“How many guys work for you?” The question made Dad laugh.

“I’m not really sure,” he said. “But I think it’s close to half.”

Though Mom could tell a story, the ones about her are the best.

She was outspoken, quick and witty… and by far the funniest.

They’d ask, “Can you keep a secret? She’d say, “Not even for one day.”

She said they always told her… their secret, anyway.

Gus tells stories too, when we’re all reminiscing.

But everyone can’t talk. We need him for listening.

Brother Billy knows all the good ones… and tells them perfectly.

You know the story’s over when he laughs and slaps his knee.

The stories I like to hear again

are those that start…remember when

Passed from one generation to another,

They make us feel part of each other.

Remember

Jesus taught his children through those great stories we call parables… another story category.

No, never underestimate the power of a story.

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The photograph is of my Mother’s family. LB: Jeff Sanderson, Grandpa M.E. Sanderson, Wayne Sanderson…FL: Grandma Mary Sanderson, Ella Leckey, Helen Haverberg, Loretta Gustafson, and Elna Miller. They are all together again. What a beautiful and remarkable family to have been and continue to be a part of.

Tonight’s Music…Sentimental Journey…from the 40’s

It wasn’t exactly love at first sight. I wasn’t used to having two youngsters around. They weren’t/aren’t exactly wallflowers, either. They weren’t cute enough to get by with what the really cute ones do.

But that all changed…

They are the two cutest things you could ever imagine. They both have personality plus and they are so, so smart. With the help of a trainer, they have taught Kip and I all kinds of things. We sit, stay, rollover, and hardly ever bark anymore. They have to keep a lot of treats on hand, but if that’s the price of learning to behave, then it’s worth it,

Today’s beautiful song…Sit, Stay and Listen

Be a Goldenrod From “Rhymes for all Times by Mary Francis McNinch

You’re a baby sleeping soundly and your mother stands nearby.

She listens for a whimper or a cry.

Her heart is full of love and her thoughts are full of fears.

Don’t let me fail this child, she prays through tears.

Will the face that looks so peaceful match his feelings deep inside?

Can she be the kind of mother whose child looks at her with pride?

Love is Faith…

You’re a youngster starting school and your mother says goodbye.

She’s so happy you’re excited. There’s a twinkle in her eye.

But school is really hard. You try your best but it’s too tough.

The other kids convince you that you just aren’t smart enough.

Your mother has your eyes checked and your teacher gives you tests.

And the reason for the problem manifests.

Dyslexia

Love is Courage

You’re a teenager and troubled by what’s happening at home.

Even with the others there, you feel like you’re alone.

So you run around with kids who are going through things, too.

You make promises you’ll do things, but you just can’t follow through.

Your mom, lost in a sea of guilt, knows things have gone too far.

She wishes she could help you to be who you really are.

Love is patience…

You’re a young adult and you’ve worked hard to turn your life around.

Life is never perfect, but you’ve climbed to higher ground.

Once again your mother prays through tears.

So very much has happened through the years.

She knows she did the best she could, but doubts her child agrees.

She made mistakes and didn’t see the forest for the trees.

Love is forever…

They took a bumpy road, but found a place to make their peace.

And in the end they both came to believe.

They let others help them find what they couldn’t find alone.

They felt valued as they reaped the better seeds that they had sewn.

“They learned that all people are flawed, but God is God.”

Help someone with a challenge, today. Be a goldenrod

My Friend, Jerry Davis told me about this song and I thought it was music that would speak to a lot of people. The song is followed by a short MG/Nellie video.

https://videopress.com/v/JfErmnFS?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true