NEVER FORGET YOUR FRIENDS!

July 17, 2022

 

I originally posted this article on Facebook on July 17, 2015, and again today – in celebration of some one very special. 

Many years ago, a newlywed young man was sitting on a couch on a hot, humid day, sipping frozen juice during a visit to his father. As he talked about adult life, marriage, responsibilities, and obligations, the father thoughtfully stirred the ice cubes in his glass and cast a clear, sober look on his son.

"Never forget your friends," he advised, "they will become more important as you get older." "Regardless of how much you love your family and the children you happen to have, you will always need friends. Remember to go out with them occasionally, do activities with them, call them."

"What strange advice!" The young man thought. "I just entered the married world, I am an adult and surely my wife and the family that we will start will be everything I need to make sense of my life."

Yet he obeyed his father; Kept in touch with his friends and annually increased their number. Over the years, he became aware that his father knew what he was talking about. Inasmuch as time and nature carry out their designs and mysteries on a man, friends were the bulwarks of his life.

After 60 years of life, here is what he learned:

Time passes.

Life goes on.

The distance separates.

Children grow up.

Children cease to be children and become independent. And to the parents it breaks the heart but the children are separate of the parents. Grandchildren too grow up and begin busy lives with little time to spend with the older generation.

Jobs come and go.

Illusions, desires, attraction, sex ... weaken.

People do not do what they should do.

The heart breaks.

The parents die.

Colleagues forget the favors

The races are over.

But, true friends are always there, no matter how long or how many miles away they may be. A friend is never more distant than the reach of a phone, or a need, barring you, intervening in your favor, waiting for you with open arms or blessing your life.

When we started this adventure called LIFE, we did not know of the incredible joys or sorrows that were ahead. We did not know how much we would need from each other. Love your parents, take care of your children, but keep a group of good friends. Dialogue with them but do not impose your criteria.

Refer this text to friends who helped make sense of your life. I already did.

Nice Read

By Terry Orr 

Sharing an email (thank you Bruce)

Before middle age – Do not fear!

After middle age – Do not regret!

Enjoy Your Life While You Can

As long as it is physically possible, visit places you wish to visit.

When there is an opportunity, get together with old classmates, old colleagues & old friends

When it is time to spend, just spend, treat yourself well as you’re getting older

Whatever you feel like eating, just eat! It is most important to be happy.

Treat sickness with optimism. Whether your are poor or rich

Do not be afraid or worried whey you are sick

Let the doctors handle your body, God handle your life, but be in charge of your own moods

Our kids will make their own fortune

Your old friends – seize every opportunities to meet up with your friends. Such opportunities will become rate as time goes by.

Everyday you MUST smile and laugh

Life ends; when you stop Dreaming

Hope ends; when you stop Believing

Love ends; when you stop Caring

And Friendship ends; when you stop Sharing.

Getting Our Life Priorities in Order

By Terry Orr

(Source: Posting on Linkedin)

Sure is a lot of truth in these words. 

Each of us ought to take a few minutes and examine our own priorities in life and ask that hard question – do we have ‘our life priorities in order’?

Happy Birthday America

Healthy Habits for Kids

By Terry Orr

Your child's habits start with you!

The most important thing to remember is that you are your child's role model. Your habits affect your children's habits.

If your habits are unhealthy—smoking, drinking too much alcohol, or always expecting the worst, for example—your child is more likely to get those habits.

If your habits are healthy—eating a balanced diet, getting regular exercise, looking forward to tomorrow, for example—your children are more likely to build those habits in their own lives.

Sounds simple?  It really is pretty straight forward and without all drama and tantrums - if done smartly.  Some folks pile on the food for a child and complain about them unwilling or unable to finish what’s on their plates. Think smaller portions – say a tablespoon – and if they want more – then allow it – providing they are also eating the other items.

After research the Internet on healthy habits for kids, I found that the article by Robin Madell to capture the true essence of habits we all should follow.

10 Healthy Habits Parents Should Teach Their Kids

Written by Robin Madell /Medically Reviewed on May 10, 2013 by George Krucik, MD, MBA http://www.healthline.com/health-slideshow/healthy-habits-mothers-should-teach-kids#1

• Habit 1: Make Eating Colorful – They are beautiful, healthy and good for you.
• Habit 2: Don’t Skip Breakfast – It really is the most important meal of the day.
• Habit 3: Pick Enjoyable Physical Activities – Sure makes it easier to do when you enjoy them.
• Habit 4: Don’t Be a Couch Potato – We need at least 60 minutes every day to be physically active!
• Habit 5: Ready Every Day – When you wake up – be grateful and thankful to be alive and have an opportunity to accomplish wonderful things.
• Habit 6: Drink Water, Not Soda – 8 glasses of water each and every day!
• Habit 7: Look at Labels (Food Labels, Not Designer) - Know and understand what those pesky items in what you are considering to eat.
• Habit 8:  Enjoy a Family Dinner – Too important to miss!
• Habit 9: Spent Time with Friends – Amen!
• Habit 10: Stay Positive – With a smile on your face and love in your heart and understanding in your mind.

 Following these healthy habits are a good starting point. Please let us know what other healthy habits you use.

References and Links:

http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/HealthierKids/HowtoMakeaHealthyHome/Help-Children-Develop-Healthy-Habits_UCM_303805_Article.jsp#

http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/family/tv_habits.html

http://www.nourishinteractive.com/nutrition-education-printables/category/7-kids-healthy-habits-goals-tracking-sheets-charts-eating-healthy-foods-diary-cards-nutrition-physical-activity-goals-agreements

http://www.parents.com/health/hygiene/

http://www.healthlinkbc.ca/kb/content/special/aba5985.html

PARENTS DAY

By Diane Forrest

This has been a very family oriented month...this past week especially.  We had cousin's day, aunt and uncle day, Family reunion Month, and today is Parent's Day.  Now you are probably wondering why parent's day?  We have a Mother's Day and a Father's Day aren’t they getting enough recognition?

According to Wikipedia, In the United States, Parents' Day is held on the fourth Sunday of every July. This was established in 1994 when President Bill Clinton signed a Congressional Resolution into law (36 U.S.C. § 135) for "recognizing, uplifting, and supporting the role of parents in the rearing of children. “The bill was introduced by Republican Senator Trent Lott. It was supported by members of the Unification Church, which also celebrates a holiday called Parents' Day, although on a different date. United States Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg has said: "Replacing Mother's Day and Father's Day with a Parents' Day should be considered, as an observance more consistent with a policy of minimizing traditional sex-based differences in parental roles."  Leave it to a senator from Mississippi to come up with yet another holiday to honor our family members.

According to dateandtime.com, Parents’ Day is celebrated on the fourth Sunday each year. Citizens, organizations, and federal, state, and local governmental and legislative entities are encouraged to recognize Parents’ Day through proclamations, activities, and educational efforts to recognize, uplift and support the role of parents in bringing up their children.

The Parents’ Day Council plays an active role in celebrating and promoting Parents’ Day through a range of events and activities.  For example, the council honors “Parents of the Year” at local, state and national levels. Those who have been nominated or selected are people who exemplify the standard and ideal of positive parenthood. Exemplary parents from each state are nominated for “National Parents of the Year”.

Parents’ Day is a popular time for people to send cards and gifts, including flowers, cakes and food hampers, to those who play an important role as a positive parental figure in their lives. It is also a time for families to come together for lunches or dinners. Special tributes to parental figures that are seen as role models are made through local announcements, at church services, or at local community events. Parents’ Day proclamations and rallies have been held in recent times and involved organizations such as the United Civil Rights Councils of America.

How will you be celebrating Parent's Day?