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You may ask me, what has dancing got to do with funeral? I will tell you that when you go to the funeral of your old dancing instructor you can think of almost nothing else. Such was the case with the service I went to this week. It was for my dear Ethel Friel Barker.
It all began when I was in about third grade. My older sister was taking dance and gymnastics and so I wanted to too! My younger sister followed along after. Each week we would tromp down her stairs in our leotards, set our dollar on her piano and begin our lesson.
Bring on the tap shoes! What fun we had learning those dances. The costumes came next. Many times they were made by our mothers. I remember the rumba costume the most. The top was all gold sequins sewn on to satin. The bottom was an open skirt that showed off your dancing legs! haha!… a pair of green satin shorts underneath..and nothing skimpy!…then there were the ruffles of satin colors on the trailing skirt. I remember Ethel teaching us all how to shimmy. We all laughed!
Each year Ethel would travel to New York to Dance Caravan. She would learn all the dances and come back and teach them to all her students. She had students of all ages from the tiniest little ones to the high school kids. I remember two boys who learned a Russian dance. Their dance number was mixed with gymnastic moves.
Besides the lessons, Ethel would arrange for us to have shows.. at no extra cost to us. We traveled to girls homes, boys homes, a home for the mentally challenged.. and then even some Christmas shows for the American Legion. As shy as we were, it helped us to learn how to be in front of people. We learned about different people and the situations they live in.
When we got to high school, Ethel helped us with our gymnastic routines. She rented out the Grange Hall, lugged all her black mats over and we tumbled and practiced for our meets. All for that same one dollar bill on her piano.
Our lessons continued through high school and we occasionally went to see her for a class… just for fun. My last class was when I was pregnant with my first daughter. I remember going slow… I did a limber over… and then felt my daughter kick! That was the end of that! ha!
Many friends gathered for the memorial service. My sisters sat next to me and three other friends, all in the same row. When the minister asked us to read something, I watched as ALL of us dug into our purses for our glasses. Ethel would have laughed at that sight! We all laughed and cried.
When the service was over and we sat at our tables for a small lunch, we talked and talked about our dances, our costumes and Ethel. Before everyone left, we spread the word through out the room that anyone who wanted to, could participate in the performance of the Waltz Clog! This was the dance that Ethel taught every student. ( My sisters and I do it periodically, even now for fun).
The people gathered… most dressed in black and white. We almost looked like we were in costume. .. and then we began. We sang the tune as we stumbled though the dance moves laughing! Our last steps were always … just as Ethel taught us, ”step cut the pie” with our feet.
What a wonderful remembrance. What a wonderful person she was! We will always celebrate Ethel!
This brings me to this thought. I have been thinking about it a lot in the last few weeks since I know four people who have died recently. There are many people who live life helping others. It’s such a wonderful thing. They give and give and give until it’s time for heaven. Their memorial services are happy sad, but often joy filled. Others take and take and take until their last day. Those services are sad. … almost tragic.
I prefer happy! I like the thought of people dancing at my funeral. .. and singing loud!
Here are three pictures of our Ethel! She lives on in our hearts always!
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lisartist said, on 8/26/2013 7:33:00 PM
WOW!!! I love it! I feel not only like I knew Ethel, but that I could picture her service. What a darling human being. What a great angel she is now.
Leslie Ann Clark said, on 8/26/2013 9:34:00 PM
You would have loved her! Everyone did. ;0)
angiemflanagan said, on 9/3/2013 6:12:00 PM
I hope my dance students have this much fun at my funeral! Thanks for sharing.
Leslie Ann Clark said, on 9/3/2013 6:54:00 PM
I Hope so too! Our Ethel was a very important part of our lives. She taught us more than dances. I smile every time I think of her. Love your kids… and they will dance for you!
Artists live a life of wonder. At times, it’s wondering what to do next. I will not lie, I have been wondering this for the last few months. I am looking for the sweet spot! It’s my favorite place to be in Art. It’s the place where you are working and you don’t want to stop. I think it’s a divine place where God kisses your life with ideas that flow out in a steady stream.
A lot of things can bar you from this place. Looking in the wrong direction, self doubt, self pity, self self self. Ha! Get the point? You have to get rid of the”self” part. If the sweet spot is divine, then you have to seek out the divine.
A few nights ago I had a dream. My dad was in the dream. Someone had driven him to my house. He slowly came up the steps to my house and said to me, ” Bloom“. In a small whisper he said, “bloom where you are planted”.
Then he was gone.
I woke up knowing the “divine” had spoken to me.
No grinding out ideas, just let the divine IN me out… to make the art I was born to make.
A flower does not worry about the bloom. All the coding for that bloom is IN the seed. It simply drinks up moisture from above and the roots go down and the bloom comes.
So… BLOOM today! You were meant to be like none other.
Each day is filled with work. My work is fun, but there are still decisions to make and a path to stay on. There are meetings to schedule and deadlines to meet. It can be a constant process of thought and movement.
I have stopped for the day. I stopped to look over my idea book and enjoy the summer breeze. The are ideas everywhere and sometimes you cannot find the ones that are in the calm of the day if you don’t stop to look and listen.
My doggie stands guard to protect me from squirrels, my other doggie wanted the cool of the air in the house. I listen to the wind kicking up. I hear cars from a nearby street. I feel sure that the birds are discussing what’s for dinner. My feel are hot in my sneakers that are still on since my morning walk. My daisies look like they are reaching for the sky. The weeds are tall on the north side of my house. My thoughts travel to what to make for dinner. (I resist that thought for now). My daughter turned 35 today! That makes me smile as I remember her entrance into this world and her loud voice!
All of these are but fleeting thoughts. Sometimes a fleeting thought will make into a story, but you must take the time to stop, look and listen.
That is the question! The answer is in you. Will you be who you yearn to be in this life? Will you accomplish your dreams? Much of it is up to you.
My neighbor is an example. I met her three years ago. I was so excited to have an artist move in next door! She is a potter and when I visited her she would show me what she was making. She had some really fun pieces.
Last December she agreed to be in a garden show. She was one of two artists that would show their work in a specific garden. She knew she needed to fill the yard so she began in earnest to produce pieces with a garden theme. All winter long the kiln was firing wonderful creations! Colorful pots, bird houses and bird baths began oozing out of her garage. Her work began taking on a personality and a style like no other artist. I saw her grow in her skills.
Last Wednesday was set-up day. We placed her art all over the yard. By the time we finished, the yard look like it was out of a fairy tale! I could see that her pieces told a story. There was color everywhere! We were so excited!
We returned on Saturday for the sale. No sooner did we sit down at our table when the crowd of visitors began forming a line to buy my friends pottery. The line did not stop until the day ended. It was wonderful!!! All of her hard work paid off.
So what is my point? Find what you love and DO it! Find a way! Keep moving in the direction. To be or NOT to be? It’s up to you!
I was sitting in the movie theater today, minding my own business, (and Captain Kirks!), when all of the sudden three words came to me. “Change Your Destiny”. I was so surprised that I dug down into my purse ( the black hole), looking for my notebook so i might them down.
Along with the words came a sudden rush of hope and direction for my future. Instead of watching the Star Trek movie I began thinking of things I could turn around in my life that would mean a different future, even 3 months from now.
How many times in our lives do we stay the course because it is easy or familiar? What would happen if we chose three things in each day, and purposed in our hearts to do them differently? Perhaps that wild mean venturing out to see a neighbor you hadn’t seen in a while? Or put down that cheese sandwich and opt for a salad? Why not carve out an hour of the day to work on your novel or write a letter to a relative? Maybe it’s time you tackle your To Do List?
I will think out loud here and list some different areas of interest to me.
God
Family
Friends
Job
Exercise
Diet
Home front
Hobbies
Inspiration
Gardening
Under each heading could be multiple topics.
Imagine if you took a new course of action for each heading, each day. How might that change your life by this time next year? Just think! You could come to the end of the year a new person. Or perhaps you might become the person you were meant to be? What area might you work on this week?
Heaven! The final frontier! But what will you do before that??? I LOVE the thought of CHA CHA CHANGE!!!
First of all I would like to say excellent blog! I had a quick question which I’d like to ask if you do not mind. I was interested to know how you center yourself and clear your head before writing. I have had difficulty clearing my thoughts in getting my ideas out. I do enjoy writing but it just seems like the first 10 to 15 minutes are usually lost simply just trying to figure out how to begin. Any ideas or hints? Kudos!
Leslie Ann Clark said, on 5/19/2013 7:38:00 PM
Why thank you. I enjoy writing too. If it’s a subject I really love, it comes out easy. It nearly pours out on to the page. If I am writing a story book, I find that going for a walk helps me to get my thoughts together. Then, when I get home, I write quickly and edit later. I wrote two children’s books that way. The other two books were written in the mountains when I was alone. I like quiet so I can concentrate. Noises distract me, except for the hum of the washer and dryer! ha! That is only the way it works for me. Some folks like music playing. Blog posts I can write anywhere. It’s like talking to friends. But working on stories is a little more complicated. Coffee shop writing is also fun, but best if you don’t know anyone in the coffee shop to distract you. Hope that helps! Happy writing!!!
dpualumni45 said, on 6/6/2013 10:27:00 AM
Excellent, excellent…did I say EXCELLENT!!! Les, I LOVE the title of this one! I’m still learning to ‘LIVE ON MY TIPPY TOES!’ I also do some blogging, but like your reader above, when I decide to do my writing, I have so many thoughts running through my head that I can’t seem to untangle them. I’m gonna keep plugging at though! Keep em comin’ Les!
Leslie Ann Clark said, on 6/6/2013 7:38:00 PM
oh sweet friend! I think of you often! Life gets so busy at times! We keep moving on! We keep following our dreams. Those dreams that are placed in us by God! Please do give me the link to your blog! I would love to read what you are thinking! … and to hear about Patryke too!!
For as long as I can remember, I have LOVED toys! To have a toy made from one of my cartoons is my dream come true! It will help the world see my character the way I see him. REAL!! ha ha! This series of plush Peepsqueaks in the pictures above, were the first proto-types that came to my home. Merry Makers is the toy company we worked with. It was so fun to see my little Peepsqueak transform from page to puff! He is such a cute little plush!! Merry Makers did such a good job! You can buy Peepsqueak now if you go to their website. They welcome retail orders online at http://www.merrymakersinc.com and retail and/or wholesale orders at 888-989-0454 or via email at [email protected].
Below is the final Peepsqueak. I just love him! Isn’t he cute!!! I brought him to a preschool yesterday and the children loved him and all wanted to pet him…. so they did!!!!
So order your Peepsqueak now! He is waiting to live in your home!!! Don’t forget, the books, “Peepsqueak”, and “Peepsqueak Wants A Friend” are at your bookstore waiting for you too. They would all make great gifts for the kiddies on Easter.
He’s really adorable looking, with his little tag in hand. I mean wing.
It would be fun to see some of the other animals in your books (which I love) come to life just like this! Congrats!
Leslie Ann Clark said, on 2/23/2013 7:12:00 AM
I going to make some of Peepsqueaks friends using the basic plush and adding other accessories. :0) that will be fun!
After months of prep work, Surtex 2012 is history. It was a great time of meetings, and visiting with other artists. It almost feels like a dream now that it is over. I am filled with ideas and hope for the future!
Here is a picture of Margaret Anastas, my editor at Harper Collins, me, and Annie Stone, Margaret’s assistant. It was so fun sitting at Harper C. and visiting with everyone who worked so hard on Peepsqueak and his promotion. I do love my HC family. They had a nice breakfast for me and we all met in the Harper Collins library. I wish I had a picture of Jeanne Hogle. She was my graphic designer. She escaped the room before I could snap her picture.
After our meeting, I packed up 30 books and headed to the Javitz Center in a doozy of a rainstorm! I LOVED that cab driver for picking me up!!
Messing around with my friends Jane Shasky and Megan Halsey during my Peepsqueak book signing at Surtex. Everyone was in such a good mood!
Here is my teeny tiny room at the Best Western. I was surprised at how small it was, but in the end, it was cozy and I was so glad I stayed there. It was a good retreat after a busy day.
Can’t forget my sweet agent Alicia Dauber. She had everything running smoothly!
Outside my window all the horse drawn carriages were lining up. New York is so full of LIFE!
As amazing as the big city is, it is always nice to come HOME! I had to get my zinnias planted!! Now it is back to work for the next show!
Ooh, I wish I’d known you were here! I would have loved to see you. Next time you come to my fair city (maybe for your next book?) let me know and we’ll do something New York-y and fun.
Leslie Ann Clark said, on 5/30/2012 9:39:00 AM
That would be fun! It was such whirlwind trip. Hopefully next time my dear friend!
... was to the Big Apple, to see the Society of Illustrators Original Art show. Wow. It's just plain inspiring to see works of art up close and personal. The variety is wonderful– traditional, digital, a mix of both... there's room for everything. Here are some of my favorites:
OH, I'm so jealous!! I'd love to someday see the original art show..and someday see Grand Central Station! Thank you for posting these fabulous images..hope you had an awesome time! And oh my, I'd love to see Renata Liwska's work in person. : )
Aw, Shirley, I hope you get to, some day! It really is a different experience to see the original artwork. The amount of fine detail in each piece was amazing.
I'm going on Monday, Nov. 14th! There's a special event that day, with art directors and illustrators called Reading Pictures which will include a tour.
I simply love Colorado, with its mountains and the W I D E open spaces. There is something about the vast blue sky that gives me a boost. I find that the breaks I take in my day are just as important as working hard in the studio. When I return to my studio I see things differently. My mind has rested and my body is more relaxed. Yep, I am HIGH on life!! Even my little cartoons are glad I left and have come back with a good attitude and the ideas begin to flow!
Jayne Jaudon Ferrer is thepoetry editor and creator of my favorite poetry website: www.yourdailypoem.com,and a first class poet. What she promises is that the poems she shares dailywill “not be boring.” I think she certainly fulfills that promise each day,while championing a website with TLC, whose cup run-eth over with inspiration,resources and poetry interaction. The quality of the poems she presentsencourages readers to leave behind positive poetry comments and seek more poems(written by the same author), thus affirming the daily poet’s path and writing process.
Jayne is a“poetry missionary” converting the skeptics to believers in the power ofpoetry. Go to her website, read a sample of the poems in the archives, and youwill discover that poetry can be “outrageous,inspiring, hilarious, heartbreaking, uplifting, sobering, and surprising.”Then sign up for a free daily poem delivered to your e-mail box. You will haveno regrets.
Want to know more about Jayne? You can find this biographical sketch on her website:
Jayne Jaudon Ferrer is the author of four books of poetry that focus on family life, one of which has remained consistently in print for more than twenty years. An award-winning copywriter and freelance journalist, Ferrer speaks frequently at women’s and book events; her poetry and articles have appeared in publications ranging from Boca Raton Magazine to Christian Parenting Today. Jayne lives in Greenville, South Carolina; learn more about her at www.jaynejaudonferrer.com.
Since this month is National Poetry Month, Jayne showcases a month's worth of poem that even extra special. Subscribe and see for yourself.
If you wander into the archives, you might even stumble on a poem of mine in the archives...
0 Comments on Jayne Jaudon Ferrer: Your Daily Poem Editor & Creator as of 1/1/1900
A new bunny is visiting the studio. Check out Cherry. She is trying out for a part in the Peepsqueak book. Her personality is different from the other two bunnies that tried out. I am hopeful she will be well received from the editing team. The first bunny was a little whacked out. The second bunny was nice, but this one has connected with me. An artist can create characters all day long, but some are closer to the heart than others. They may remind us of people we know, or people we wish we knew!! At least that is how it is in my studio.
Andrews demonstrates the "Butterfly Effect" using historical figures (George Washington Carver, Norman Borlaug and a host of others) and how simple decisions changed our world forever.
The Boy Who Changed the World is an inspiring and uplifting book that every child should possess. The beautiful illustrations by Philip Hurst draws you into this wonderful history lesson, bringing the story to life.
Working on contracts is like reading a foreign language. I will be happy when my dear agent Alicia calls to translate. I will take notes, ask questions and then when it is finished, I can finally get to finishing up two wonderful little stories for my grand babies, and many, many more little children with wonder in their eyes!
4 Comments on YO! What? Contracts?, last added: 11/19/2010
Leslie Ann, you can’t possibly be old enough for grandbabies! You are so young looking! Aren’t good genes wonderful!
Hugs, Diane
Leslie Ann Clark said, on 11/18/2010 9:36:00 PM
Well now, Diane, you shall now be my best friend! hahaha.
Sharyn Sowell said, on 11/19/2010 8:25:00 AM
Alicia is a wonder, isn’t she? And I agree with Diane, at the same time chiming in that I have a sweet little grand-daughter who just turned two. Grandmas don’t have to wear dentures and be retired anymore! Whee!
Leslie Ann Clark said, on 11/19/2010 9:44:00 AM
no way! these little tykes are popping up everywhere! hahaha
My kids won’t let me wear gramma clothes. They used to tell me what to wear! Although I think it may have been so they could wear it when I wasn’t it. haha!
Oh do show me a picture of the little girl! She must be about our Henry’s age.
OOOOHhhhhh! I love the UPS man! . . . that is . . . well . . . you know what I mean. I don’t actually KNOW him but I love when he brings me packages! I LOVE surprises!!! (My husband drove for UPS once and I do love HIM! :0))
Today UPS brought me a children’s book I ordered. Oh it is so cute! It made me so happy!!! Some folks get happy with diamonds or vacations on cruise ships. I would be happy with a drawing board in every room in my house and piles of children’s books and art supplies scattered about! Ha! … Here are a couple of images of my new book. I wonder if I will ever meet Peter McCarty? I think I will look for him on Facebook!
* To provide teaching on prayer and intercession and invite prayer requests so that dedicated prayer warriors can see God move in the lives of others.
* To provide quality checked resource links for Christians and for seekers who desire to know more about our Faith and to be victorious and successful in all aspects of life.
* To provide and invite original Christian inspirational. writings, quotes and testimonies.
* To provide quality, encouraging and inspiring biblical quotes in an organized fashion.
In my quest for new ideas, I often begin at our local library. In fact, I am discovering all the libraries that are located between my house and my dad’s house which is about an hour away. Each library has different books! What fun it is browsing through pages and pages of BOOKS! Children’s books, garden books, books about weaving, decorating, farm animals, famous painters, travel books and more! Sometimes just having a stack of books near my chair inspires me! ha! I LOVE BOOKS!!!
'I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today, life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow. I've learned that you can tell a lot about a person by the way he/she handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights. I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you'll miss them when they're gone from your life. I've learned that making a 'living' is not the same thing as making a life. I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance. I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands; you need to be able to throw something back. I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision. I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one. I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back. I've learned that I still have a lot to learn. I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.'
I love Maya Angelou, and I love your blog! I recently discovered it, and it's very lovely. Your poems are very inspiring : ) I can't wait until your next post!
Once upon a time, there was a little girl who liked to play make believe. She played dress up and pretend almost every single day. The little girl's mommy would take her to see plays, and afterward meet the actors, and she was in awe. She also fell in love with movies. One day the little girl realized, I want to do that, too. It was a very confusing thing, this wanting to be an actor. It always is when one discovers what one is meant to do. So she set off, head high, up this mountain. Sometimes she would fall and go rolling down the path, stubbing her toes and banging her head. Other times she would take great leaps and bounds, on fire with passion and adrenaline. She met her best friend, who was also climbing this mountain. Along the way were a lot of stepping stones, and a lot of crossroads. The girl (maybe not so little anymore) didn't know what path to take, what to do, how to keep climbing. She did the best she could. Every time, she did the best she could. Each time that it got too steep and she became too tired of this path to carry on, wanting to give up but not being able to, unexpected things would come her way. God was very good to her and gave her lots of blessings. Here a play, there a short film, here a musical, there a workshop.... "My next goal is to be a lead in a play," she said one day. That year, she was cast as the title character in a play. "My next goal is to be a lead in a musical," the girl said next. The very next year, she was. Now it's the next year. The girl's next goal is to be in a movie. She's dreamed about that, wanted that, her whole life. A real, live, feature-length movie.
you my dear are an inspiration to me every second of the day and you just go out there and do your thing because that is what God created for you to do. :) i love you and i will miss your voice so much. Dream Big Best Friend :D
Just wanted to let you know that you won my Harry Potter contest. One person had already won the books, so I drew another name out of the hat and it was yours! :) Just email me your address.
Isn't it weird how the ones who were supposedly "crazy" are the ones we remember and admire now? So I guess we should tell the crazy ones to keep being crazy because they'll rise above in the end. They'll leave a bigger legacy.
This is a story posted by April Robins on Facebook. It is truly inspiring and I wanted to share it with you. I love the message: don't fret about yesterday, make today count - every little step brings you toward your goal. The idea is to be persistent, even if it's one little step at a time. While it's important to work toward your goals, remember to feel joy and satisfaction in the process of getting there. Try to see the vision of what each little bulb will eventually become if you persist in your efforts.
You Have to See the Daffodils
Several times my daughter had telephoned to say, "Mother, you must come to see the daffodils before they are over." I wanted to go, but it was a two-hour drive from Laguna to Lake Arrowhead "I will come next Tuesday", I promised a little reluctantly on her third call.
Next Tuesday dawned cold and rainy. Still, I had promised, and reluctantly I drove there. When I finally walked into my daughter Carolyn's house I was welcomed by the joyful sounds of happy children. I delightedly hugged and greeted my grandchildren.
I told my daughter, "Forget the daffodils, Carolyn! The road is invisible in these clouds and fog, and there is nothing in the world except you and my grandchildren that I want to see right now. I don't want to drive another inch!"
My daughter smiled calmly and said, "We drive in this weather all the time, mother."
"Well, you won't get me back on the road until it clears, and then I'm heading for home!" I assured her.
"But first we're going to see the daffodils. It's just a few blocks," Carolyn said. "I'll drive. I'm used to this."
"Carolyn," I said sternly,
"It's all right, Mother, I promise. You will never forgive yourself if you miss this experience."
So we went! After about twenty minutes, we turned onto a small gravel road and I saw a small church. On the far side of the church, I saw a hand lettered sign with an arrow that read,
"Daffodil Garden ---->"
We got out of the car, each of us took a child's hand, and I followed Carolyn down the path. Then, as we turned a corner, I looked up and gasped. Before me lay the most glorious sight. It looked as though someone had taken a great vat of gold and poured it over the mountain peak and its surrounding slopes.
The flowers were planted in majestic, swirling patterns, great ribbons and swaths of deep orange, creamy white, lemon yellow, salmon pink, and saffron and butter yellow. Each different-colored variety was planted in large groups so that it swirled and flowed like its own river with its own unique hue.
There were five acres of flowers!
"Who did this?" I asked Carolyn. "Just one woman," Carolyn answered. "She lives on the property. That's her home." Carolyn pointed to a well-kept A-frame house, small and modestly sitting in the midst of all that glory.
We walked up to the house. On the patio, we saw a poster.
"Answers to the Questions I Know You Are Asking" was the headline.
The first answer was a simple one. "50,000 bulbs," it read.
The second answer was, "One at a time, by one woman. Two hands, two feet, and one brain."
The third answer was, "Began in 1958."
For me, that moment was a life-changing experience. I thought of this woman whom I had never met, who, more than forty years before, had begun, one bulb at a time, to bring her vision of beauty and joy to an obscure mountaintop.
Planting one bulb at a time, year after year, this unknown woman had forever changed the world in which she lived. One day at a time, she had created something of extraordinary magnificence, beauty, and inspiration.
The principle her daffodil garden taught me is one of the greatest principles of celebration. That is, learning to move toward our goals and desires one step at a time.
"It makes me sad in a way," I admitted to Carolyn. "What might I have accomplished if I had thought of a wonderful goal thirty-five or forty years ago and had worked away at it 'one bulb at a time' through all those years?
Just think what I might have been able to achieve!" My daughter summed up the message of the day in her usual direct way.
"Start tomorrow," she said.
She was right. It's so pointless to think of the lost hours of yesterdays. The way to make learning a lesson of celebration instead of a cause for regret is to only ask,
"How can I put this to use today?"
The Daffodil Principle.
Stop waiting..... Until your car or home is paid off Until you get a new car or home Until your kids leave the house Until you go back to school Until you finish school Until you clean the house Until you organize the garage Until you clean off your desk Until you lose 10 lbs. Until you gain 10 lbs. Until you get married Until you get a divorce Until you have kids Until the kids go to school Until you retire Until summer Until spring Until winter Until fall Until you die...
There is no better time than right now to be happy. Happiness is a journey, not a destination. So work like you don't need money. Love like you've never been hurt, and, Dance like no one's watching.
If you want to brighten someone's day, pass this on to someone special (like I did to you!)
Wishing you a beautiful, daffodil day! Don't be afraid that your life will end, be afraid that it will never begin.
- Author unknown
0 Comments on You Have to See the Daffodils as of 1/1/1900
An absolutely inspiring peice which should stop us all in our steps... and think again. One word at a time towards our writing goals, or one bulb, or one kind word, or one whatever it takes to be happy right now.
Thanks for sharing, Terri http://heartfeltwords4kids.blogspot.com
This is a beautiful lesson. I sometimes regret I only started writing a couple of years ago, but what's important is that I am writing now and that I continue to do so.
Thanks, All, for stopping by. I love the daughter's simple answer also: "Start tomorrow." I think I would change that to start now - you never know what tomorrow holds.
Wow! I have just read the daffodil story, and am stunned by the simplicity of the message. I intend to take the advice, and to start right now! I will start to do what I have always wanted to do, 'before I die'. I want to become a 'known' author. I have written one book, and will get to work on more, one day at a time. Irene J Harvey http://eloquentbooks.com/WilliamtheFairgroundCar.html
Thanks for stopping by. Everyone who reads this story is moved by it. It's so important to have a projection list or goals that we can strive toward and that's the best any of us can do - one day at a time.
Lovely story!
Alicia Dauber
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WOW!!! I love it! I feel not only like I knew Ethel, but that I could picture her service. What a darling human being. What a great angel she is now.
You would have loved her! Everyone did. ;0)
I hope my dance students have this much fun at my funeral! Thanks for sharing.
I Hope so too! Our Ethel was a very important part of our lives. She taught us more than dances. I smile every time I think of her. Love your kids… and they will dance for you!