It's a New Day ...

Blessings to you Friends,

Jeannette

Joy in May

The Golden Rule Revisited

The Golden Rule

¹² “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Matthew 7:12English Standard Version (ESV)

The lovely graphic above struck me as another version of the infamous Golden Rule about treating others the way you want to be treated.  As I’ve written about previously, the moral statement is known in numerous religious and non-religious circles of people, because frankly, it’s a matter of RESPECT or the opposite DISRESPECT.  A previous post on forgiving has a good portion about the Golden Rule (http://jeannettesjoy.blogspot.com/2011/02/forgiving-is-it-worth-trying-to-let-go.html) and refers to the different cultures as well.

In my blog post about managing one’s own emotions and behaviors entitled “Emotional Self-Regulation” I talk about this as it relates to children as well (http://jeannettesjoy.blogspot.com/2013/10/self-regulating-emotional-outbursts-and.html).  I stated” We should also teach our children from the time they are born to be respectful, loving, responsible little humans so that they will grow up to be healthy responsible adults who own up to their emotions, actions, reactions, and behaviors.  We should help them learn to regulate their emotions as their personalities are formed.  Hot tempered brats who bully, blame others, are callous, or even give hollow apologies need to be guided, directed and taught that behavior in that manner is not acceptable – period – as a child – and surely not in civil adult society.”  

Teaching this respect should start from the time a child is very young, so that he or she grows into a respectable adult.  What a much lovelier world we would have if people were nicer, more respectable, treated others in a positive way that they would prefer being treated.  Awesome, right?

Too Pollyanna and sugar coated for you?  Well, that’s okay by me, I’m a believer in positive thinking, joy, hope and love.  So I’ll just continue believing that there is always a better choice than the negative dark side of life.

Signing off on this topic.  May our Lord bless each one of you today.

Blessings,

Jeannette

To God Be the Glory for the Things He Has Done

Joyful Jeannette - JOY OF THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH

This is a great graphic for my blog.  It typifies my motto for the blog, and for my life too.  What a blessing to have found this.  The photo below is my newest, starting the year off with a new start ...  Blessings to you all.  

Jeannette

LIVE A LIFE OF LOVE ... AND A LITTLE SILLINESS

"MISSOURI MUD COOKIES" my favorite childhood cookies

Photo courtesy of Food Network website

Momma Doris Jeannette’s

Original recipe from my mother, Dortha Mann

MISSOURI MUD COOKIES

1 cube butter

2 cups granulated sugar

3 tablespoons cocoa

½ cup of milk

½ cup peanut butter (chunky or creamy; I prefer chunky)

1 teaspoon vanilla

Pinch of salt

3 cups of minute oats (old fashioned also works)

Cook on stove over medium heat.  Stir until mixture comes to bubbling boil.  Cook 1 minute.  Watch carefully!  Do not over cook.  Take off the heat.  Stir in quickly.  Add peanut butter, vanilla, salt and oats.  Spoon out on wax paper.

Note:  If you use natural peanut butter, cook the cocoa mixture 2 minutes or longer.

Recipe Background:  Received from my mother, Dortha Mann, in the 1960’s. 

Saying Goodbye to Papa

Papa LeHoullier and Jeannette

There are so many kind and beautiful words and thoughts that I could write today about Papa, However, I will reserve them for another day when I can honor him entirely.  For today, I want to share about a sweet memory of saying GOODBYE TO A WONDERFUL MAN.

Yesterday, I said goodbye to my father-in-law, Albert LeHoullier, who I affectionately called “Papa”.  He was blessed to live 93 years and we are even more blessed to have been loved by this special man.

His family had a small and intimate memorial service at the Riverside National Cemetery which is dedicated to the interment of United States military personnel.  It was a lovely setting and a gentle way to formally say our last goodbyes to a much loved gentleman, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend.

What struck me as even more lovely than the setting, was the special love Papa’s family had for him and for one another.  My husband, Al Jr., asked me to read Papa’s favorite bible verse from Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.“   

        Al then added some great thoughts and explained why he appreciated that special verse his dad quoted so much.  Al’s former wife (and now my friend), Dana, read a special memorial story she wrote about Albert Sr. including brief family memories, faith, and humor.  Al’s deaf sister Gladys lovingly shared about her dad and how special he had been to her, caring for her in special ways because of her deafness, which created a unique bond between them.  John Ballard (Gladys' husband) signed his message of love about Papa and the friendship they had (he asked Gladys to interpret).  Both Gladys and their sister Phyllis were with their dad almost daily, especially this past year.  Al’s brother, Art, shared from his heart.  Granddaughter Rachelle spoke briefly and shared.  Lastly, Phyllis, who received their father's veteran's memorial flag, shared through tears momentarily and invited us to share our flowers for Papa. 

Each of us placed a red or white carnation on his flag drapped casket and had a private moment.  At the end of our gathering there were hugs and kisses. 

Some of the family is deaf, and it was special to have them sign their eulogy message and to have it interpreted for most of us. 

As we turned to watch Papa’s internment vehicle being driven away, very naturally hands went up in the air with the “I LOVE YOU” sign language symbol.  Oh how very unique, loving, and wonderful sight that was.  Speaking loved ones also added “I love you Dad (or Grandpa or Al)” or “God Bless You” or “Rest in Peace”.  Yet, there was something about that visual sign of hands outstretched in the air with the sign language symbol soaring up with love. At the end of our gathering there were hugs and kisses. 

   

Papa always gave each of us a big hug, kissed us goodbye and then signed us “I Love You” as we gave him one last look or said one last goodbye.  So, what the family shared yesterday afternoon was so natural - with the same sweet smiles on our faces as he had, we just signed love back to him.

Rest in peace Albert.  You will be forever loved and cherished by me, your children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, sister, in-laws, friends and all who came to be blessed by knowing you.  Rest in peace Papa – I LOVE YOU.  

Blessings on your day.

Jeannette

My Grandmother Grace and I signing "I love you" years before she passed away.