I love books. And most likely, if a search engine brought you here, you do too. I thought about what it would be like if a book wanted that same love back and came up with this bibliophile cartoon.
Some amazing things happen when bibliophiles unite.
Tag: family
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Love Each Other or Perish
Today, there is so much conflict in the world. We see it with individuals, families, political groups, and nations. We seem to have forgotten a key value for survival: love each other, or perish!
For a class, I’ve been reading Tuesdays with Morrie. in the book, Mitch Albom quotes his dying professor:
“If you don’t have the support and love and caring and concern that you get from a family, you don’t have much at all. Love is so supremely important. As our great poet Auden said, ‘Love each other or perish.’”
Morrie Schwartz in Tuesdays with Morrie
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The Greatest Legacy
Six years ago today, my family lost a dad and grandfather that left a lasting, good impression on our lives. He was a man that left the greatest legacy to his kids.
In his last months, he was so concerned about leaving his family in good shape financially. Yet, he left more than most kids ever hope to have. Billy Graham’s quote says it perfectly.
“The greatest legacy one can pass on to one’s children and grandchildren is not money or other material things accumulated in one’s life, but rather a legacy of character and faith.”
Billy Graham
Billy Graham Quotes. BrainyQuote.com, BrainyMedia Inc, 2022. https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/billy_graham_626354, accessed February 2, 2022.
Character
I have been blessed by two fathers who have shown me what character looks like. They have lived their values both in public and behind closed doors. The more I have lived and heard the stories of others, the more I know how rare that is.
One moment of indiscretion and ruin a person’s legacy. I am so glad my father-in-law was the real deal. I encourage all of us to live what we believe. Otherwise, what good are our beliefs?
Faith
My father-in-law lived his faith. He believed the future would be better even as he suffered near the end. His faith sustained him through many difficult times.
We would have numerous conversations about the future. Many of them were about the possibilities if we lived a life of faith over fear. It caused him to plan and take steps by faith. I am so thankful for his positive outlook.
My one regret is I would love to have a written record of those conversations so that my children’s children would know about his legacy. That is a project I aim to work on one day. Until then, let’s all work to live the greatest legacy to those who come after us.
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First Kiss
Thirty-five years ago today, I came back from a college trip. A woman I was very interested in invited me over for pizza. When we parted ways that night, I said, “How about a hug?” The next thing you know, we had our first kiss.
Who would have known we would be together over three decades later? I sure didn’t! I just hoped she liked me. I was on cloud nine when I discovered the feeling was mutual.
We never know how the decisions we make today affect tomorrow. We can only guess, hope and pray they will turn out right. I’ve made some dumb decisions over the years. But when I took a chance and accepted the pizza invite, I am thankful that decision turned out the way it did.
Life is a winding road filled with decisions. Some should be carefully thought out. Others require a little spontaneity. Today in my devotions, I read how Esau made some bone-headed, decisions. At the age of twenty-one, I certainly had the capacity to make many rash decisions. Some I have forgotten. Others I wish I could.
But today, I celebrate one of the best decisions I ever could have made, and I remember a first kiss.
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Remembering a Relative on Pearl Harbor Day
On this day, eighty years ago, The United States entered World War II when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. So today, I want to remember Pearl Harbor and a relative who perished in the attack; Fred Hunter Boyer.
Honestly, three days ago, I didn’t know he existed. As I child, I wondered if we would have had relatives who fought in World War II. My grandfathers weren’t drafted but stayed on the homefront. So it seemed that came to a dead-end fairly quickly.
However, I had not looked into possible cousins. I subscribe to FamilySearch.org. I received an email on Sunday that announced the discovery. I had a second cousin, once removed that perished on the USS West Virginia. He was twenty-two.
I wonder what his parents went through? Did his community rally around them? We had a common cause and hostile enemies in Europe and Asia. It’s hard to imagine what the mood of the country was in light of today’s challenges.
Today, I am thankful for the men and women that paid the ultimate sacrifice for my freedom. And I am especially thankful for a cousin and his family that paid a great price on that day that would live in infamy.