I Love America
April 30, 2024 by admin
Filed under Family Focus
By Norma Vera
Like most of you, I love America. My youngest memories of loving my country were developed when I was in elementary school in the early Fifties. Every other week, all the third, fourth and fifth grade classes met at the auditorium for music. It was one of my favorite things to do. We all sat quietly with our classmates and teachers. Every class had their reserved isle. The teacher always sat on the first seat and their class next to them. I remember a lot of order and respect at school and at home. After we were seated we were handed a song book. We waited quietly until a teacher sat at the piano and another one took the microphone, and lead us in song. We would stand to our feet and proudly sing various patriotic and old folk songs that have been sung for many generations.
Obedience Is Not an Option
April 19, 2024 by admin
Filed under Family Focus
By Norma Vera
If we do not learn to obey as a child, we will more than likely, grow up with a rebellious and disobedient spirit. Obedience does not come natural for most of us – it is a trained skill. It develops with time, discipline and correction.
Foundations
March 26, 2024 by admin
Filed under Family Focus
By Khristy Hullett
“What I'm concerned about, Dr. Towns, is swine flu.” This is not a surprising statement. With the hysteria in the media, school closings, face masks, deaths, it's perfectly understandable for parents to be questioning our pediatricians, right? But the above question was not asked by me, the parent. It was the response of my 1st grader—my just turned 7 years old—to her doctor's final question to me: “Do you have any other concerns today?” To his credit, he turned to her and very seriously asked her why she was concerned and then did a quick rundown of proactive things she can do to protect herself. God bless him. That's why I love him as a doctor. He respects me as the mother and doesn't talk down to my children. Now all of that was not to complain about my week—although I will comment, not complain mind you, that my two year old has a raging ear infection and my four year old had four shots yesterday.
A Merry Heart
March 15, 2024 by admin
Filed under Family Focus
By Jane Thornton
One rainy afternoon, I popped some corn and settled into the corner of the couch for a good read. Alone, I couldn’t quite finish the whole batch—not for lack of trying. The cooling kernels lost their appeal, so I lowered the bowl to the floor to be dealt with at a slow point in the plot. Soon my itchy, runny nose demanded attention. But I was cozy and warm. No box of Kleenex sat on the end table. What to do? The only slightly greasy paper towel on top of the popcorn made a handy hankie. The jangle of the phone roused me from my engrossed perusal of the novel. After tending to the call, I made a pit stop for a drink and headed back to the sofa, immediately re-involved in the story. My teenage daughter Meredith plopped onto the other end and flicked on the television. I barely looked up. A crunching sound infringed upon my consciousness. I transferred my attention.
The INFORMAL NORMAL in a BLACK TIE AFFAIR WORLD
March 5, 2024 by admin
Filed under Family Focus
By Stanley J. Leffew
Have you noticed the trend? You ever notice how on programs like "The Bachelor", most of their dating episodes are via limousine escort? They travel to lavish destinations amid scenic splendor. The sunsets are so beautiful you can almost hear nature singing its own rendition of, "Love Is A Many Splendid Thing".
