All I Really Need to Know...

All I Really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten


by Robert Fulghum

Most of what I really need
To know about how to live
And what to do and how to be
I learned in kindergarten.

These are the things I learned:

Share everything.
Play fair.
Don't hit people.
Put things back where you found them.
Clean up your own mess.
Don't take things that aren't yours.
Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.
Wash your hands before you eat.
Flush.
Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.
Live a balanced life -
Learn some and think some
And draw and paint and sing and dance
And play and work everyday some.
Take a nap every afternoon.
When you go out into the world,
Watch out for traffic,
Hold hands and stick together.
Be aware of wonder.

I keep thinking about our sweet boy who has just begun a new chapter in his life.
Can't wait to hear all about it when I pick him up this afternoon.

Someone, Somewhere

Today I'm so thankful for friends who have made my life a little richer, days a little brighter, & helped me smile along the way...

Someone, Somewhere

Is it not something after all,
When paths divide, when shadows fall.
To know that there is someone who
Wonders a little, what you do?
Wonders a little where you are?
It may be near, it may be far…
It may be half the world around.
Is it not something to have found
Some soul, when other paths you choose
You cannot have, yet cannot lose?

Is it not something just to know
That when divided paths you go
You never quite completely part;
That each shall carry in the heart
Some memory of former days
Before you went divided ways?
Is it not something just to feel
What hills may hide, what clouds conceal?
Although you know no clasp of hands
That someone, somewhere understands?

Oh, we may part from many a friend.
Every song must have an end.
But in the heart the song sings on
When he who sang the song is gone.
So think of someone, somewhere, who
Wonders a little what you do?
Wonders a little where you are?
Though very near or very far
When paths divide, when shadows fall;
Is that not something after all?
[author unknown]

Poem for the week

DO YOU WISH…

Do you wish the world were better? Let me tell you what to do –
Set a watch upon our actions; keep them always straight and true.
Rid your mind of selfish motives; let your thoughts be clean and high;
You can make a little Eden of the sphere you occupy.

Do you wish the world were wiser? Well, suppose you make a start
By accumulating wisdom in the scrapbook of your heart.
Do not waste one page on folly, live to learn, and learn to live;
If you want to give men knowledge, you must get it ere you give.

Do you wish the world were happy? Then remember day by day
Just to scatter seeds of kindness as you pass along the way;
For the pleasure of the many may be oftimes traced to one
As the hand that plants the acorn shelters armies from the sun.
[author unknown]

Sow a Seed

Sow a seed of kindness as you travel on your way.
Twill return a lovely blossom greeting you some future day.

Sow a seed of gentle patience, though sometimes it is hard to do
It will make your heart much lighter and will make you stronger too.

Sow a seed of all forgiveness and in due time you will find
Growing there sweet understanding, leaving bitterness behind. [author unknown]

on my heart...

In light of recent experiences, I've been thinking about this poem & wanted to share this today...

If we could plan the way of life, there'd be no tears, no loss,

But then, how should we learn the meaning of the cross?

How to learn to bear our burdens with courage and good cheer?

No need to do a kindly deed if all were perfect here.

If everyone had everything, what need of sacrifice?

Would things have any value if they did not have a price?

If trouble never came our way, how peaceful life would be,

But then, perhaps, we'd never learn to face reality.

If nothing ever interfered with life's calm, easy flow,

How should we learn to brace the storm, how would the spirit grow?

If all were well, what need to serve, to love and sympathize?

The things that make us humble are the things that make us wise.

[author unknown]

A Mother's Prayer

I wash the dirt from little feet,
And as I wash I pray,
"Lord, keep them ever pure and true
To walk the narrow way."
I wash the dirt from little hands,
And earnestly I ask,
"Lord, may they ever yielded be
To do the humblest task."

I was the dirt from little knees,
And pray, "Lord may they be
The place where victories are won,
And orders sought from Thee."
I scrub the clothes that soil so soon
And pray, "Lord, may her dress
Throughout eternal ages be
Thy robe of righteousness."

E'er many hours shall pass, I know
I'll wash these hands again;
And there'll be dirt upon her dress
Before the day shall end.
But as she journeys on through life
And learns of want and pain,

Lord keep her precious little heart
Cleansed from all sin and stain;
For soap and water cannot reach
Where Thou alone can see.
Her hands and feet, these I can wash -
I trust her heart to Thee.

-Barbara C Ryberg

My grandma shared this with me & it is special!

Our Little Cowboy

Cowboy Poem
By Garrett Tatro
Winfield Scott Elementary School
Teacher: Stacia Weilert

I'm riding down the street
My boots on my feet
My shirt on my back
The sky turning black

My guitar in my hand
No need for a band
Singing a cowboy song
As I wander along

My chaps at my side
I wear them with pride
Riding the open plains
Just holding my reins

Thought for the Day

You cannot teach what you do not know;

You cannot lead where you will not go;

What you do not have you cannot give;

You cannot share a life you will not live.

author unknown

One Month

It's been a month since our Grandpa Ben passed away. We think of him often & remember many good times together. I liked this poem that was shared with us recently...

Miss Me

When I come to the end of the Road

and the sun has set for me,

I want no rites in a gloom filled room.

Why cry for a soul set free?

Miss me a little - but not too long

And not with your head bowed low.

Remember the love that we once shared;

Miss me - But let me go.

For this is a journey we all must take

and each must go alone;

It's all part of the Master's Plan,

A step on the road to home.

When you are lonely and sick at heart,

Go to the friends we know.

And bury your sorrow in doing good deeds;

Miss me - But let me go.

author unknown

We're here

Well, we've had busy days & then we found ourselves sick this weekend. No fun. Hopefully this week will go better. Here is a poem I've been wanting to share. It came from Berlin's Bible. We were reading a chapter to him & found this poem tucked in the pages.

Steadfast Heart

I've dreamed many dreams that never came true
I've seen them vanish at dawn;
But I've realized enough of my dreams came true
To make me want to dream on.

I've prayed many prayers when no answer came
though I waited patient and long;
But answers have come to enough of my prayers
To keep me praying on.

I've trusted many a friend that's failed
And left me to weep alone;
But enough of my friends have proved tue blue
To keep me trusing on.

I've sown many seeds that fell by the way
For birds to feed upon;
But I've held enough golden sheaves in my hand
To make me keep sowing on.

I've drained the cup of disappointment and pain
I've gone many days without song;
But I've sipped enough nectar from the roses of life
To make me want to live on.
author unknown

Watch...

Watch your thoughts; they become words.

Watch your words; they become actions.

Watch your actions; they become habits.

Watch your habits; they become character.

Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.

Sorrow's Work

This was shared this with us some time ago. It has meant a lot to me in light of recent experiences that have touched our lives.

Sorrow's Work

• There are things that come through the gates of tribulation.
• There are traits of character which seem to find no other mode of entrance into life -- such as gentleness, sympathy, & strength. Though we may desire a life of tranquility and joy, it still remains true that few of us whould choose for our most valued friend one who has never suffered.
• The eyes that have not known tears lack genuine tenderness.
• The heart that has never been torn with anguish and loss has never sounded its own depths, and cannot measure those of another. Every life grows strong through strom and conflict, if it ever grows strong at all. And however sweet by nature we may be, we find it uncomplete and unsatisfying if it has never known the softening, hallowing of grief. There are dark pages in our lives where we would gladly have changed the story if we could. There are wounds that still ache, and losses that even yet are heard to bear. But however we feel about the sorrow, there are few of us who would be willing to give up all that it has brought and taught us--or to be just where we were before it touched us. There are profound gains that come only through sorrow's gate.

From our garden...

The Rose

It is only a tiny rosebud
A flower of God's design;
But I cannot unfold the petals
With these clumsy hands of mine.

The secret of unfolding flowers
Is not known to such as I;
The flower God opens so sweetly
In my hands would fade and die.

If I cannot unfold a rosebud
This flower of God's design;
Then how can I think I have wisdom
To unfold this life of mine?

So I'll trust Him for His leading
Each moment of every day;
And I'll look to Him for His guidance
Each step of the pilgrim way.

For the pathway that lies before me
My Heavenly Father knows;
I'll trust Him to unfold the moments
Just as He unfolds the rose.

author unknown