Remembering...

Memorial Day means more to me today than when I was twenty years old. Then it was another holiday that I vaguely realized celebrated those passed on. Today, I realize that it's a special opportunity to celebrate and  remember those who've touched our lives when alive.

• What did they leave behind that I can learn? 
• What touched me and made me a better person? 
• What skill, craft, or talent have I profited from because of him or her? 

Here are a few thoughts I had about celebrating Memorial Day:

• Reflect on those gone before. Rejoice that you had the opportunity to be in their lives, and they in yours. 
• Enjoy the thought that your loved one is in heaven and enjoying its riches. 
• Share what you've learned or who you are with someone else. A grandchild? Show them pictures or tell them tales of your loved ones life and adventures. Have a sit down session with the whole family and each sharing a memory.
• Plant a tree or some flowers in memory.
• Donate something meaningful to a charity or church or orphanage in memory.

Most of all, be happy and at peace that you had a period of time with that person(s). God gives and takes away. Just as a blade of grass is here today and gone tomorrow, so is life. Celebrate it in remembering...today.

Happy memories.

ABOUT CAROLE:

Besides being an active participant of many writing groups, Carole is an award winning author and enjoys mentoring beginning writers. She loves to weave suspense, tough topics, romance and whimsy into her books, and is always on the lookout for outstanding titles and catchy ideas. She and her husband reside in SE Ohio but have ministered and counseled nationally and internationally. Together, they enjoy their grandsons, traveling, gardening, good food, the simple life, and did she mention their grandsons? 

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Remembering Dad

I haven't seen my father in years. He passed away when I was seventeen right before my high school graduation, but that's not what I want to focus on today. Today, I want to remind US how important fathers are, how valuable their input and influence, how precious a good and spiritual leader they can be.

I remember several things about my dad, all of which are precious in my sight:

• He loved God. What better example than a father who lives as he believes?

• He loved to play his guitar and sing. We traveled around many churches and sang as a family while a child and young person. He was confident in his ability and doing what he could do for God as well as he could. Isn't that a great lesson for us?

• He was a man who knew what he believed but did it in a gentle way. I can't remember him ever raising his voice. He was a gentle in his words, actions and deeds. How strong of an example is that?

• He was a hard worker, faithful to his work, faithful to his family by providing. 

The last thing I remember Dad doing before he passed away from a cerebral hemorage was coming into the kitchen where I was washing dishes and placing his arms around me. I don't remember if he spoke, but that sweet action is still precious to me. 

With all that learned, it's no wonder I chose a man who is strong, discerning, loving and fun to be the father of my children. 

• I've watched him through the years and know he is discerning and wise about choices and decisions needing answers

• He works hard physically but is also strong with his beliefs in how a person should act with his manners, his responses and his morals. He taught are boys how to stand when greeting an older person, to open doors, to ask to be excused and many other valuable, slowly-declining-in-this-day-and-age actions that speak well of an individual.

• His love is an abiding love. It's an enduring love and an understanding love. He knows just the words to say, the gifts to give, the reaction to share. Little things are big things to him. He loves giving me wild flowers in the summer. He loves sharing some small item with a grandson which he knows will mean a lot to them. He's generous.

• He knows when to have fun and when to share it! From plans to spend time with family . . . or me . . . his ideas are usually just what we need!

How blest are those who've experienced such a father!

Be sure to check out the Weekly Windup Page for the winner of this week's book: A Hemorrhaging of Souls by Nicola Furlong.

About Carole:

Besides being a member and active participant of many writing groups, Carole Brown enjoys mentoring beginning writers. She loves to weave suspense and tough topics into her books, along with a touch of romance and whimsy, and is always on the lookout for outstanding titles and catchy ideas. 

She and her husband reside in SE Ohio but have ministered and counseled nationally and internationally. Together, they enjoy their grandsons, traveling, gardening, good food, the simple life, and did she mention their grandsons? 

Check out her books here:

http://www.amazon.com/Carole-Brown/e/B00EZV4RFY/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1433167928&sr=8-1