Another missive stolen from the Bangor Maine, PD Facebook page and used without permission

The breeze was filtered through pine and cedar. If you stood in just the right spot on the hillside, the sun struck your face in the most positive way. It warmed, but it also seemed to amplify the odors of the the forest. 

The only sound was a lone songbird and the wind taking the long trip south. I have never taken the time to identify the chirps, peeps, and melodic tones of birds, but at that moment I wished I had paid more attention to my grandfather. He took the time to tell me, but I was too young to even have the inclination to try to commit it all to memory. 

Isn’t it strange how when we are trying to take something in, enjoying the silence, the moment, and the location, that our minds still work hard to remind us of the things we should have done better. 

I decided that I wouldn’t let my flaws ruin those few minutes. I committed it to memory so that later on when I could no longer stand, no longer be in that particular place, with those perfect conditions, I would clearly remember how it felt just to be there.
We should do more of that.

Thoughts on Labor Day, 2016

This teriffic post stolen without permission from the Facebook page of the Bangor Maine Police Department today:

Bangor Maine Police Department 

Ponder for a moment, if you will, how all those who have come and gone before you were able to exist and thrive with far less than you current have.

The carpenter who did not have the ability to request that the shingles were placed on the roof by the lift truck, the masons that built chimneys by carrying the bricks to the rooftop without the aid of mechanical devices.
The excavation that was done by hand, the sewer systems that were built by straight manual labor, the cops who walked the beat and the firefighters that manually pumped water on to burning homes and buildings.

We probably should stop for a moment and thank the good Lord for horses and the guys that kept them fed and shod.
We have it pretty good. The infrastructure of America was built by the strong backs of both citizens and immigrants. Laborers. They did in dangerous working conditions with zero health insurance and without a retirement plan or days off and I suspect they were hungry on more than one occasion.
When you stop back at the grill for your second burger this weekend and whine because Larry from down the street ate the last of the potato salad, just think about it. Maybe take a minute to look around and understand what Labor Day 2016 is all about.
It really is not about you. It sure is not about me.
Labor day was instituted for us to take a long hard look at what we have and how it got here. We have it pretty good and we need to appreciate it.
Have a great Labor Day 2016. Tell Larry to lighten up on the potato salad.
Keep your hands to yourself, leave other people's things alone and be kind to one another.
We will be here.
TC

Lord, help me leave a Legacy of Love behind...

How Will You Be Remembered?

How will you be remembered? What legacy will you leave behind?

Toward the end of his life, author and theologian Elton Trueblood made this observation: "At the age of 93, I am well aware that I do not have many years to live. Consequently, I try very hard to live my remaining years in such a manner that I really make a difference in as many lives as possible. How do I want to be remembered? Not primarily as a Christian scholar, but rather as a loving person. This can be the goal of every individual. If I can be remembered as a truly loving person, I shall be satisfied."

After you are gone, people may forget most of what you have said and done. But they will remember that you loved them.

-- paraphrased from an article by Steve Goodier - http://www.LifeSupportSystem.com

Remembering Memorial Day

Freedom and independence have never been free. They are “bought” at a great price. Memorial Day is when we honor those who died in battle to defend these ideals and privileges.
But just how and when did this observance begin?
Shortly after the Civil War, there developed a pervasive desire to honor the hundreds of thousands who died serving their country. Local observances sprung up throughout America’s towns and communities to commemorate the sacrifices of fallen soldiers. Thus began what would become today’s Memorial Day. It was originally called “Decoration Day.”
In 1971 Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. This established that Memorial Day be celebrated on the last Monday of May. Just as it was in 1868, Memorial Day is celebrated at Arlington National Cemetery as well as many other cemeteries across the land. A small American flag is placed on each grave. The President or Vice President places a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
This list of battle deaths* brings to mind the sacrifices made by soldiers and their families.

Battle Deaths

American Revolution (1775-1783)	4,435
War of 1812 (1812-1815)	2,260
Mexican War (1846-1848)	1,733
Civil War (1861-1865)	140,414 Union 74,524 Confederate
Spanish-American War (1898-1902)	385
World War I (1917-1918)	53,402
World War II (1941-1945)	291,557
Korean War (1950-1953)	33,686
Vietnam War (1964-1975)	47,410
Gulf War (1990-1991)	147
Afghanistan War (2001-present)	2,381
Iraq War (2003-2012)	4,500

*Source: http://www.pbs.org/national-memorial-day-concert/memorial-day/meaning/

---

It is fitting that we stop and honor those heroes who paid the ultimate price so that we could be free and independent. They will always be heroes—our heroes.

---

“Here at the Capitol, just weeks before the end of the Civil War, a weary President Lincoln pleaded with his fellow citizens, to ’bind up the nation’s wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan.’”
—Gen. Colin Powell, USA (Ret.)

---

 this article presented to me by 
  and used here without permission;
 Call 858.792.9122 or simply fill out the form in link below
http://www.hearthstoneinc.com/contact

expressing sympathy to grief

from one of my favorite authors:

        (by Steve Goodier - http://www.lifesupportsystem.com/ )

A story, which may appropriately belong to the files of “urban legends,” tells about a Philadelphia legal firm that sent flowers to an associate in Baltimore upon the opening of its new offices. Through some mix-up, the ribbon that bedecked the floral piece read, “Deepest Sympathy.”

When the florist was informed of her mistake, she let out a cry of alarm. “Good grief! Then the flowers that went to the funeral said, “Congratulations on Your New Location”!

It is difficult enough to offer comfort without mixing up the sentiment. So difficult, in fact, that many people simply don’t know what to say to someone who has just unburdened grief or emotional pain. Not unlike the new clergyman who, when a distressed young woman confided that she was pregnant, blurted out, “Are you sure it’s yours?”

Too often, we want to help, but find that our attempts to offer comfort, solace or hope fall short of the mark. But there is something we CAN say to those who hurt that can be helpful and comforting.

One man, whose grandson died accidentally, found genuine comfort when he shared his pain with friends shortly after the tragedy. Of all the well-meaning words of support, two statements helped to sustain and comfort him through the grief more than the rest. They were: “Thank you for sharing your pain,” and “I grieve with you.” After hearing those words, he no longer felt alone in his suffering. He felt as if his friends embraced his grief. He felt better.

“Thank you for sharing your pain” is an honest acknowledgment of another’s suffering. It also expresses an appreciation for the effort it takes a wounded soul to open her emotional wounds to others.

“I grieve with you” is an expression of empathy. It is a way of saying that I am willing to share some of your pain, even for a time.

We can’t fix it. We shouldn't try to offer advice. And we may never know how someone feels who is hurting in a way we have never experienced. But we can give some comfort.   (emphasis mine)

I think James Angell, former president of the University of Michigan, got it right when he was asked the secret of his success. “The secret of success?” he replied. “Grow antennae, not horns.”

-- Steve Goodier

No matter the size of the package, it's a "serving" in my book

Momma always said "don't pick at it"