Something to Ponder Friday August 25, 2006
FOR PARENTS THE FIRST DAY THEIR GIRLS GO TO SCHOOL:
DEAR WORLD,
I BEQUEATH TO YOU TODAY ONE LITTLE GIRL IN A CRISPY DRESS WITH TWO BLUE EYES AND A HAPPY LAUGH THAT RIPPLES ALL DAY LONG AND A FLASH OF LIGHT BLOND HAIR THAT BOUNCES IN THE SUN WHEN SHE RUNS. I TRUST YOU'LL TREAT HER WELL.
SHE'S SLIPPING OUT OF THE BACKYARD OF MY HEART THIS MORNING AND SKIPPING OFF DOWN THE STREET TO HER FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL. AND NEVER AGAIN WILL SHE BE COMPLETELY MINE. PRIM AND PROUD SHE'LL WAVE HER YOUNG AND INDEPENDENT HAND THIS MORNING AND SAY "GOODBYE" AND WALK WITH LITTLE LADY STEPS TO THE SCHOOLHOUSE.
NOW SHE'LL LEARN TO STAND IN LINES AND WAIT BY THE ALPHABET FOR HER NAME TO BE CALLED. SHE'LL LEARN TO TUNE HER EARS FOR THE SOUNDS OF SCHOOL-BELLS AND DEADLINES AND SHE'LL LEARN TO GIGGLE AND GOSSIP AND LOOK AT THE CEILING IN A DISINTERESTED WAY WHEN THE LITTLE BOY 'CROSS THE AISLE STICKS OUT HIS TONGUE AT HER. AND, NOW SHE'LL LEARN TO BE JEALOUS. AND NOW SHE'LL LEARN HOW IT IS TO FEEL HURT INSIDE.
AND NOW SHE'LL LEARN HOW NOT TO CRY.
NO LONGER WILL SHE HAVE TIME TO SIT ON THE FRONT PORCH STEPS ON A SUMMER DAY AND WATCH AN ANT SCURRY ACROSS THE CRACK IN THE SIDEWALK. NOR WILL SHE HAVE TIME TO POP OUT OF BED WITH THE DAWN AND KISS LILAC BLOOMS IN THE MORNING DEW. NO, NOW SHE'LL WORRY ABOUT THOSE IMPORTANT THINGS LIKE GRADES AND WHICH DRESS TO WEAR AND WHOSE BEST FRIEND IS WHOSE. AND THE MAGIC OF BOOKS AND LEARNING WILL REPLACE THE MAGIC OF HER BLOCKS AND DOLLS.
AND NOW SHE'LL FIND NEW HEROES.
FOR FIVE FULL YEARS NOW I'VE BEEN HER SAGE AND SANTA CLAUS AND PAL AND PLAYMATE AND FATHER AND FRIEND. NOW SHE'LL LEARN TO SHARE HER WORSHIP WITH HER TEACHERS WHICH IS ONLY RIGHT.
BUT, NO LONGER WILL I BE THE SMARTEST, GREATEST MAN IN THE WHOLE WORLD. TODAY WHEN THAT SCHOOL BELL RINGS FOR THE FIRST TIME SHE'LL LEARN WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A MEMBER OF THE GROUP WITH ALL ITS PRIVILEGES AND ITS DISADVANTAGES TOO.
SHE'LL LEARN IN TIME THAT PROPER YOUNG LADIES DO NOT LAUGH OUT LOUD OR KISS DOGS OR KEEP FROGS IN PICKLE JARS IN BEDROOMS OR EVEN WATCH ANTS SCURRY ACROSS CRACKS IN SIDEWALKS IN THE SUMMER.
TODAY SHE'LL LEARN FOR THE FIRST TIME THAT ALL WHO SMILE AT HER ARE NOT HER FRIENDS. AND I'LL STAND ON THE FRONT PORCH AND WATCH HER START OUT ON THE LONG, LONELY JOURNEY TO BECOMING A WOMAN.
SO, WORLD, I BEQUEATH TO YOU TODAY ONE LITTLE GIRL IN A CRISPY DRESS WITH TWO BLUE EYES AND A HAPPY LAUGH THAT RIPPLES ALL DAY LONG…AND A FLASH OF LIGHT BLOND HAIR THAT BOUNCES IN THE SUN WHEN SHE RUNS.
I TRUST YOU'LL TREAT HER WELL.
Friday, August 25, 2006
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Something to Ponder Wednesday August 23rd
One evening a grandson was talking to his grandfather about current events. The grandson asked his grandfather what he thought about the shootings at schools, the computer age, and just things in general.
The Grandfather replied, "Well, let me think a minute, I was born before: television, penicillin, polio shots, frozen foods, Xerox, contact lenses, Frisbees and the pill.
There were no: credit cards, laser beams or ball-point pens.
Man had not invented: pantyhose, air conditioners, dishwashers,
clothes dryers and the clothes were hung out to dry in the fresh air. Man hadn't yet walked on the moon. Your Grandmother and I got married first, . . and then lived together and Every family had a father and a mother.
Until I was 25, I called every man older than me, "Sir".
And after I turned 25, I still called every man older than me, "Sir"
We were before gay-rights, computer- dating, dual careers, daycare centers, and group therapy.
Our lives were governed by the Ten Commandments, good judgment, and common sense. We were taught to know the difference between right and wrong and to stand up and take responsibility for our actions. Serving your country was a privilege; living in this country was a bigger privilege.
We thought fast food was what people ate during Lent. Having a meaningful relationship meant getting along with your cousins.
Draft dodgers were people who closed their front doors when the evening breeze started. Time-sharing meant time the family spent together in the evenings and weekends-not purchasing condominiums.
We never heard of FM radios, tape decks, CDs, electric typewriters, yogurt, or guys wearing earrings. We listened to the Big Bands, Jack Benny, and the President's speeches on our radios. And I don't ever remember any kid blowing his brains out listening to Tommy Dorsey.
If you saw anything with 'Made in Japan' on it, it was junk.
The term 'making out' referred to how you did on your school exam.
Pizza Hut, McDonald's, and instant coffee were unheard of.
We had 5&10-cent stores where you could actually buy things for 5 and 10 cents.
Ice-cream cones, phone calls, rides on a streetcar, and a Pepsi were all a nickel. And if you didn't want to splurge, you could spend your nickel on enough stamps to mail 1 letter and 2 postcards.
You could buy a new Chevy Coupe for $600, . . . but who could afford one? Too bad, because gas was 11 cents a gallon.
In my day: "grass" was mowed, "coke" was a cold drink, "pot" was something your mother cooked in and "rock music" was your grandmother's lullaby. "Aids" were helpers in the Principal's office, "chip" meant a piece of wood, "hardware" was found in a hardware store and software wasn't even a word.
And we were the last generation to actually believe that a lady needed a husband to have a baby. No wonder people call us "old and confused" and say there is a generation gap... and how old do you think I am? I bet you have this old man in mind...you are in for a shock!
This man would be only 59 years old
One evening a grandson was talking to his grandfather about current events. The grandson asked his grandfather what he thought about the shootings at schools, the computer age, and just things in general.
The Grandfather replied, "Well, let me think a minute, I was born before: television, penicillin, polio shots, frozen foods, Xerox, contact lenses, Frisbees and the pill.
There were no: credit cards, laser beams or ball-point pens.
Man had not invented: pantyhose, air conditioners, dishwashers,
clothes dryers and the clothes were hung out to dry in the fresh air. Man hadn't yet walked on the moon. Your Grandmother and I got married first, . . and then lived together and Every family had a father and a mother.
Until I was 25, I called every man older than me, "Sir".
And after I turned 25, I still called every man older than me, "Sir"
We were before gay-rights, computer- dating, dual careers, daycare centers, and group therapy.
Our lives were governed by the Ten Commandments, good judgment, and common sense. We were taught to know the difference between right and wrong and to stand up and take responsibility for our actions. Serving your country was a privilege; living in this country was a bigger privilege.
We thought fast food was what people ate during Lent. Having a meaningful relationship meant getting along with your cousins.
Draft dodgers were people who closed their front doors when the evening breeze started. Time-sharing meant time the family spent together in the evenings and weekends-not purchasing condominiums.
We never heard of FM radios, tape decks, CDs, electric typewriters, yogurt, or guys wearing earrings. We listened to the Big Bands, Jack Benny, and the President's speeches on our radios. And I don't ever remember any kid blowing his brains out listening to Tommy Dorsey.
If you saw anything with 'Made in Japan' on it, it was junk.
The term 'making out' referred to how you did on your school exam.
Pizza Hut, McDonald's, and instant coffee were unheard of.
We had 5&10-cent stores where you could actually buy things for 5 and 10 cents.
Ice-cream cones, phone calls, rides on a streetcar, and a Pepsi were all a nickel. And if you didn't want to splurge, you could spend your nickel on enough stamps to mail 1 letter and 2 postcards.
You could buy a new Chevy Coupe for $600, . . . but who could afford one? Too bad, because gas was 11 cents a gallon.
In my day: "grass" was mowed, "coke" was a cold drink, "pot" was something your mother cooked in and "rock music" was your grandmother's lullaby. "Aids" were helpers in the Principal's office, "chip" meant a piece of wood, "hardware" was found in a hardware store and software wasn't even a word.
And we were the last generation to actually believe that a lady needed a husband to have a baby. No wonder people call us "old and confused" and say there is a generation gap... and how old do you think I am? I bet you have this old man in mind...you are in for a shock!
This man would be only 59 years old
Monday, August 21, 2006
Monday August 21st
I Wish I Were Young Again
By Joshua Patrick McNelly
I wish I were young again.
When I could go to the corner store and spend the money I had just earned mowing a lawn on enough candy to ruin my dinner.
I wish I could go back to those days when I could spend all day in a fort built for me with help from my mom and dad.
When I could run down the street to where my best friend lived and spend all day long pretending to be GI-Joe and saving the world (but from what, I didn’t know).
Where baseball cards were more valuable than money and all I could think about was eating the stale gum in the pack like my favorite major leaguer.
When I could ride my bike for hours upon end and it never got boring.
When I watched TV for fun, not to escape from reality.
I wish I were young again.
When things were pure and innocent, because I didn’t know any better.
When people, all people, were good and nice because I didn’t know what prejudice was.
Where the glow coming from the Christmas tree was the next best thing to blowing out the candles on my birthday.
Where Mom and Dad and Baseball and Apple Pie still meant something, to ALL of us.
Where it wasn’t so bad to leave the front door open and sit in the front yard and waive to the neighbors as they walked by.
When a game of marbles “for keeps” was the most exciting thing going on.
When pool parties and sleepovers and trips to the beach kept us going all summer long. I wish I were young again.
Where the first time in the Eastern Sierra was like I had died and found my way to the best part of heaven that God himself had to offer.
Going down to the creek to try my luck with a pole, 3 salmon eggs and a boy’s innocent dream.
Playing stickball in a church parking lot where we knew we’d be safe but didn’t know what to be afraid of.
Falling asleep at night without a care in the world except for wondering what in the world the next day would bring.
Where there was no work and no bills and the only thing I had to worry about was chores and homework.
Playing tag in the front yard with the neighborhood kids and always remembering to look both ways before running into the middle of the street.
I wish I were young again.
So innocent that we didn’t know what it was to be hungry, homeless or without love.
So pure that we didn’t know what a nuclear weapon was, or what it could do.
So alive because we really didn’t understand what death was, or if we should fear it.
When we were just happy to get the $.50 we got from mom to get an ice cream cone from the ice cream man.
We all have things that we’d want to go back and do again, but the truth is, we can’t. We have to live in the now and do what we can to make the best of what we have. If you stop and think back to what you did when you were younger, some of it makes a lot of sense today. A lot of it was really stupid and sure, we have a lot more to worry about these days, but it’s all the same stuff. Just stop for one moment in time and make it yours. Live it. Be the moment. Think about what is important to you and think about what it really is that you want. It’s not that hard if you just try. It could be as simple as when you were younger.
I Wish I Were Young Again
By Joshua Patrick McNelly
I wish I were young again.
When I could go to the corner store and spend the money I had just earned mowing a lawn on enough candy to ruin my dinner.
I wish I could go back to those days when I could spend all day in a fort built for me with help from my mom and dad.
When I could run down the street to where my best friend lived and spend all day long pretending to be GI-Joe and saving the world (but from what, I didn’t know).
Where baseball cards were more valuable than money and all I could think about was eating the stale gum in the pack like my favorite major leaguer.
When I could ride my bike for hours upon end and it never got boring.
When I watched TV for fun, not to escape from reality.
I wish I were young again.
When things were pure and innocent, because I didn’t know any better.
When people, all people, were good and nice because I didn’t know what prejudice was.
Where the glow coming from the Christmas tree was the next best thing to blowing out the candles on my birthday.
Where Mom and Dad and Baseball and Apple Pie still meant something, to ALL of us.
Where it wasn’t so bad to leave the front door open and sit in the front yard and waive to the neighbors as they walked by.
When a game of marbles “for keeps” was the most exciting thing going on.
When pool parties and sleepovers and trips to the beach kept us going all summer long. I wish I were young again.
Where the first time in the Eastern Sierra was like I had died and found my way to the best part of heaven that God himself had to offer.
Going down to the creek to try my luck with a pole, 3 salmon eggs and a boy’s innocent dream.
Playing stickball in a church parking lot where we knew we’d be safe but didn’t know what to be afraid of.
Falling asleep at night without a care in the world except for wondering what in the world the next day would bring.
Where there was no work and no bills and the only thing I had to worry about was chores and homework.
Playing tag in the front yard with the neighborhood kids and always remembering to look both ways before running into the middle of the street.
I wish I were young again.
So innocent that we didn’t know what it was to be hungry, homeless or without love.
So pure that we didn’t know what a nuclear weapon was, or what it could do.
So alive because we really didn’t understand what death was, or if we should fear it.
When we were just happy to get the $.50 we got from mom to get an ice cream cone from the ice cream man.
We all have things that we’d want to go back and do again, but the truth is, we can’t. We have to live in the now and do what we can to make the best of what we have. If you stop and think back to what you did when you were younger, some of it makes a lot of sense today. A lot of it was really stupid and sure, we have a lot more to worry about these days, but it’s all the same stuff. Just stop for one moment in time and make it yours. Live it. Be the moment. Think about what is important to you and think about what it really is that you want. It’s not that hard if you just try. It could be as simple as when you were younger.
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