tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86182528805967739212024-03-05T11:31:41.181-08:00KNOTTY MUSINGSPaulissa Kipp Visual Artshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08140338186909239968noreply@blogger.comBlogger379125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8618252880596773921.post-68134578618987639362012-02-20T17:02:00.000-08:002013-02-28T06:47:44.977-08:00Up To The Mountain<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">"Up To the Mountain"</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">A little something I recorded for all of us who struggle at times, whether with loneliness, pain, addictions, depressions, feeling we're not enough, etc. You are loved, you are beautiful, you are worthwhile and you are ENOUGH. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">"You are goodness and mercy and compassion and understanding. You are peace and joy and light. You are forgiveness and patience, strength and courage, a helper in time of need, a comforter in time of sorrow, a healer in time of injury, a teacher in times of confusion. You are the deepest wisdom and the highest truth; the greatest peace and the grandest love. You are these things. And in moments of your life you have known yourself as these things. Choose now to know yourself as these things always."</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">~ Neale Donald Walsch</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">This life is a hero's journey. Anyone who sticks it out and gives it their best shot is heroic, in my estimation. What we call normal is so often extraordinary. Just overcoming the weight of the world, and making a genuine effort to identify and honor our true-path is profound. Kudos to anyone who is making a genuine effort to get through this life with originality,awareness and authenticity. ~Jeff Brown</span><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzuP5uDP9clw16bEYikUmP_hFCHZEqqXmibH1uoB28QeGp5OAvxxP9t2hafkuOYTqYGs9t0TF-T7ci8mccKyw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Paulissa Kipp Visual Artshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08140338186909239968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8618252880596773921.post-70427026634537890592011-11-26T07:38:00.000-08:002011-11-26T07:39:45.644-08:00Be A Voice<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 12px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Such a gorgeous and poignant song. Share it far and wide. No bystanders. </span><br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHGf-UUqnSg" target="_blank" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="cursor: pointer; color: rgb(59, 89, 152); text-decoration: none; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 12px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">http://www.youtube.com/<wbr><span class="word_break" style="display: inline-block; "></span>watch?v=lHGf-UUqnSg</a><br /><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 12px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">Be A Voice </span><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 12px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">by Yvonne Goss</span></div><div><br /><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 12px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">1st verse:<br />There's a painful truth in our world we've got to face.<br />For too long we've ignored their desperate cry.<br />Please consider the cost,<br />another innocense thats lost.<br />We have to speak for the children and be their voice.<br /><br />Chorus:<br />Be A Voice for the ones with no choice.<br />Forced to live in a world they cannot change.<br />Be a light in their darkness,<br />a trusting hand that they can hold.<br />Be A Voice for God's chidren,<br />Be A Voice<br /><br />2nd Verse:<br />Can you hear the voice of the innocent cryin out,<br />rescue me from the evil all around me.<br />And make my world as it should be,<br />a loving home where I can grow free.<br />Rescue me, break the silence,<br />Be my voice<br /><br />Be A Voice for the ones with no choice.<br />Forced to live in a world they cannot change.<br />Be a light in their darkness,<br />a trusting hand that they can hold.<br />Be A Voice for God's chidren,<br />Be A Voice<br /><br /><br />Tag:<br />Be A Comfort to the innocent, the pure in heart the meek,<br />Oh we have to speak the truth, only the truth will set them free,<br />set them free...<br /><br />Chorus:<br /><br />Oh Be A Voice for the ones with no choice.<br />Forced to live in a world they cannot change.<br />Be a light in their darkness,<br />a trusting hand that they can hold.<br />Be A Voice for God's chidren,<br />Be A Voice<br /><br />Be A Voice,<br />(bring His light into their darkness)<br />Be A Voice,<br />(its never too late to make a change)<br />Be A Voice!</span><div><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 12px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><span class="text_exposed_show" style="display: inline; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 12px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br />Be A Voice Yvonne Goss<br /><br /></span></div></div>Paulissa Kipp Visual Artshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08140338186909239968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8618252880596773921.post-20015130490590807192011-11-26T07:33:00.001-08:002011-11-26T07:35:34.081-08:00Honor The Children - My StoryI told my story publicly for the 1st time a couple of weeks ago and it was very well received. I am sharing it here with you in the hope that it will help you to be a voice for children and help to break the cycle of generation devastation.<div><br /></div><div><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; background-image: initial; background-attachment: initial; background-origin: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; ">My past has not defined me , destroyed me , deterred me , or defeated me it only has given me strength to carry on another day for I’m just a vessel cant you see my sign” God is still working on me .”</span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; "><br /><br /><br /><br /><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background:white">HONOR THE CHILDREN-MY STORY</span></span><br /><br /></span><span class="apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px; "><span style="background:white">My name is Paulissa Kipp. I am the face of child sexual abuse. I am 46 going on 6. Stuck in an age of innocence and the beginning of a long nightmare. Beginning when I was 6 years old and continuing for the next 10 years, I was the object of my stepfather’s tainted love.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 19px; line-height: 21px; "><span style="background:white"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; "><br /><br /><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background:white">The first incident occurred the day of my brother’s funeral. I was playing my stereo and crying. I welcomed being comforted since the rest of the adults were comforting my mother. My stepfather began fondling me. My grandfather burst into the room and pulled him away from me. Restraining orders were filed but the court ordered visitations with my mother and stepfather. Every visit brought a new occurrence.</span></span><br /><br /><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background:white">Child sexual abuse causes many cracks in the veneer of the soul. I had nightmares, blamed myself for what happened, sought and needed more male attention, and had a difficult time concentrating in school which resulted in my teacher recommending me for counseling. I suffered seizures and migraines.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background:white"> </span></span><br /><br /><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background:white">As I developed, the attention of the males in my family (with the exception of my grandfather) took on a more sexual nature. I was an affectionate child and an easy target for advances of the inappropriate kind. I was told I was beautiful, which is exactly what a gawky, bookish, pimply pubescent girl wants to hear. I didn’t realize that it was inappropriate. More requests to take me places alone began to roll in. Ice cream outings became sexual advances. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; "><br /><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background:white">I began trying altering my appearance. I developed unhealthy eating habits in the hope that if I gained weight the attention would stop – it didn’t.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background:white"> </span></span><br /><br /><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background:white">I couldn’t relate to the opposite sex – I acted promiscuous but wasn’t. I was a tease, not please. Developing healthy relationships has been difficult. Vulnerability was not a safe place to be. My learned behavior was that a soft place to fall meant being violated. I gave love and took it away. I projected all of my pain onto healthy relationships and made people who loved me and treated me well into villains the same as those who hurt me in the past. It cost me 3 marriages. I was terrified of having children and the thought that they might be subjected to what I was. I put off trying for children until I was 40 and then it was too late. I am now unable to conceive.</span></span><br /><br /><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background:white">Depression has been a near-constant companion for many years. I am mostly medication free, except for those times when life threatens to engulf me.</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background:white"> </span></span><br /><br /><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background:white">We tell our children about stranger danger, but place trust in those who show interest in our children. We are proud of our children and it is only natural to want people to like our children. There are red flags, however:</span></span><br /><br /><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background:white">1. An adult is overly affectionate to your child or touches the child in a more intimate fashion than a hug, pat on the head, etc</span></span><br /><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background:white">2. Pulling a child older or bigger than lap holding age onto the lap</span></span><br /><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background:white">3. Unwanted tickling or wrestling</span></span><br /><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background:white">4. An adult makes repeated requests to take your child places alone or to do sleepovers</span></span><br /><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background:white">5. Your child’s behavior change drastically after spending time with a particular adult</span></span><br /><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background:white">6. Urinary tract infections can be a sign of inappropriate activity</span></span><br /><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background:white">7. Bleeding in the genital areas</span></span><br /><br /><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background:white">If any of the symptoms are present, please take your child to a dr for a physical examination and report the abuse to the authorities. Honor the children.</span></span><br /><br /><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background:white">Healing from child sexual abuse is a slow recovery process. It requires a courage that does not come naturally. It often requires counseling and brutal honesty. It requires forgiveness, but not forgetting. It requires not being a bystander. It requires making a stand and saying “Not on my watch, not my child and not</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background:white"> </span></span><b><span style="background:white">your</span></b><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background:white"> </span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background:white">child. As Charlotte Davis Kasl correctly observes, "Whether or not you have children yourself, you are a parent to the next generation. If we can only stop thinking of children as individual property and think of them as the next generation, then we can realize we all have a role to play."</span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="background:white"> </span></span><br /><br /><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background:white">It requires faith, even when you don’t know if the wound will heal. It requires acknowledging that we are all broken in some way. In the words of Leonard Cohen, “There is a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets through."</span></span><br /><br /><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="background:white">October is Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Awareness Month. When is child abuse awareness month? April . It is represented by a blue ribbon. Yet child abuse awareness needs to be an everyday occurrence. Speak it, think it, and hold it your hearts. We need a different kind of army. An army of the kind.</span></span></span><span style="font-size:14.0pt;line-height:115%"><o:p></o:p></span></p></div>Paulissa Kipp Visual Artshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08140338186909239968noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8618252880596773921.post-19357592525972634162011-11-26T07:20:00.000-08:002011-11-26T07:31:55.512-08:00Charlie Chaplin's Great Dictator Speech<div style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Arial, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">in 1940, when Charlie Chaplin was filming "The Great Dictator", Hitler invaded France. Chaplin changed the ending of the movie and added an out of character speech which now is legendary. It was not a speech by the character, but by Chaplin himself to the world.<br /><br />You can find video of this speech here: It is quite moving.</div><div style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Arial, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /><i>I'm sorry, but I don't want to be an emperor. That's not my business. I don't want to rule or conquer anyone. I should like to help everyone if possible; Jew, Gentile, black man, white. We all want to help one another. Human beings are like that. We want to live by each other's happiness, not by each other's misery. We don't want to hate and despise one another. In this world there is room for everyone, and the good earth is rich and can provide for everyone. The way of life can be free and beautiful, but we have lost the way. Greed has poisoned men's souls, has barricaded the world with hate, has goose-stepped us into misery and bloodshed. We have developed speed, but we have shut ourselves in. </i></div><div style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Arial, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><i><br /></i></div><div style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Arial, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><i>Machinery that gives abundance has left us in want. Our knowledge has made us cynical; our cleverness, hard and unkind. We think too much and feel too little. More than machinery, we need humanity. More than cleverness, we need kindness and gentleness. Without these qualities, life will be violent and all will be lost. The airplane and the radio have brought us closer together. The very nature of these inventions cries out for the goodness in men; cries out for universal brotherhood; for the unity of us all. Even now my voice is reaching millions throughout the world, millions of despairing men, women, and little children, victims of a system that makes men torture and imprison innocent people. </i></div><div style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Arial, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><i><br /></i></div><div style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Arial, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><i>To those who can hear me, I say, do not despair. The misery that is now upon us is but the passing of greed, the bitterness of men who fear the way of human progress. The hate of men will pass, and dictators die, and the power they took from the people will return to the people. And so long as men die, liberty will never perish. </i></div><div style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Arial, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><i><br /></i></div><div style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Arial, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><i>Soldiers! Don't give yourselves to brutes, men who despise you, enslave you; who regiment your lives, tell you what to do, what to think and what to feel! Who drill you, diet you, treat you like cattle, use you as cannon fodder. Don't give yourselves to these unnatural men - machine men with machine minds and machine hearts! You are not machines, you are not cattle, you are men! You have the love of humanity in your hearts! You don't hate! Only the unloved hate; the unloved and the unnatural. Soldiers! Don't fight for slavery! Fight for liberty! In the seventeenth chapter of St. Luke, it is written that the kingdom of God is within man, not one man nor a group of men, but in all men! In you! You, the people, have the power, the power to create machines, the power to create happiness! You, the people, have the power to make this life free and beautiful, to make this life a wonderful adventure. Then in the name of democracy, let us use that power. Let us all unite. Let us fight for a new world, a decent world that will give men a chance to work, that will give youth a future and old age a security. By the promise of these things, brutes have risen to power. But they lie! They do not fulfill that promise. They never will! Dictators free themselves but they enslave the people. Now let us fight to fulfill that promise. Let us fight to free the world! To do away with national barriers! To do away with greed, with hate and intolerance! Let us fight for a world of reason, a world where science and progress will lead to all men's happiness. Soldiers, in the name of democracy, let us all unite!</i></div><div style="color: rgb(34, 34, 34); font-family: Arial, Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: -webkit-auto; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "> </div>Paulissa Kipp Visual Artshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08140338186909239968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8618252880596773921.post-90371406334514459572011-11-26T05:52:00.000-08:002011-11-26T06:42:35.222-08:00Long Low Road by Paulissa Kipp<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 12px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><b>OK, this piece did not come consciously as a song. This was truly divine inspiration. I was driving home from visiting a friend and out of nowhere began singing the chorus. So. . .I present to you The Long, Low Road. A gospel spiritua</b>l.</span><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 12px;"><br /></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 12px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); "><br /></span></div><div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">LONG, LOW ROAD</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">Spiritual by Paulissa Kipp</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">CHORUS:</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">There’s a long, low road to meet my savior</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">Long, low road to pre-pare my soul</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">You keep me cry – ing, keep me sigh-ing</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">Keep me moving down that long, low road</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">My heart keeps breaking, trials keep taking</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">Keep me rolling down that long, low road</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">Man turns a blind eye to his brother’s cry</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">Keep on rolling down a long, low road</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">But grace keeps sav-ing </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">There’s a constant cra-ving</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">For love and understanding</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">On that long, low road</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">Sing a-men allelujah</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">Keep me rolling keep me rolling on the long, low road</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">I keep stumbling but I keep rising</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">To walk with you on that long, low road</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">CHORUS:</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">There’s a long, low road to meet my savior</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">Long, low road to prepare my soul</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">You keep me cry – ing, keep me sigh-ing</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">Keep me moving down that long, low road</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">Sing amen allelujah</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">Keep me rolling keep me rolling that down that long, low road</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">I keep stumbling but I keep rising</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">To walk with you down that long, low road</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">We shall never walk alone</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">cry-ing and sigh-ing</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">In the si-lence</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">Down that long, low road</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">CHORUS:</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">There’s a long, low road to meet my savior</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">Long, low road to prepare my soul</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">You keep me cry – ing, keep me sigh-ing</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">Keep me moving down that long, low road</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">Sing amen allelujah</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">Keep me rolling keep me rolling on that long, low road</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">I keep stumbling but I keep rising</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt">To walk with you on that long, low road</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><o:p> </o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(128, 128, 128); font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; line-height: 12px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">© 2011 Paulissa Kipp</span></p></div><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dymW7WA5lvPQU96vvdATlZX5PgL9YW4SUPgVLpEauOobINDJyVhzjFOp_vTOzlwQp_HbpbpcHuJX-JI3SKoeg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Paulissa Kipp Visual Artshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08140338186909239968noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8618252880596773921.post-58389938117020153442011-10-01T06:08:00.000-07:002011-10-01T06:09:31.841-07:00Walking Wounded<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 15px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>When I was at lunch today, I had the honor of speaking with 2 Vietnam veterans who were sitting at the counter. I thanked them for their service and one of them - George C - told me that he was in the 1st batch of military members who were hit by Agent Orange. He has lived through 6 heart attacks and a recent surgery on his jugular vein. An amazing man who seemed more amazed that I didn't recoil at the sight of his scars. His friend, George C II, was also struck with Agent Orange and has health issues as a result. He said he felt that his biggest scars are the ones no one sees. The mental scars of PTSD and being a prisoner of his own mind at times and having flashbacks while he was driving that the cars were not vehicles, but rather trees in the jungle of Vietnam. He has given up driving.<br /><br />When we parted, they asked me what I do for work. I told them and then George C asked me what I do for life (for joy). I told him that I am a writer and photographer and said that if I'd had my camera with me, I would have asked to take their photos. I paid for their meals, thanked them again for their service and the conversation and they invited me for coffee next Friday afternoon and told me to bring the camera. They would like their stories told through photos and essays. How amazing is that? Simply because I took an interest. I am so amazed at where these encounters are leading me these days and the way my art helps me to interact with the world around me.<br /><br />I wrote the following piece as part of my eulogy for a friend, a Vietnam veteran I'd known for 35 of my 45 years who committed suicide to escape his demons.<br /><br /><br />NONE UNWOUNDED<br /><br />A soldier died today. Not in combat on some foreign soil but in combat on the battlefield of the mind. A soldier died today. He took his own life. Some will call him a coward.<br /><br />Whether we agree with the reasons our country is at war or not, the fact still remains that we have people fighting for our right to play Monday morning quarterback over it all. Those who would say that our soldiers are stupid and that's why they're in Iraq, Afghanistan, or anywhere else in the world they're needed are naive.<br /><br />The soldier who serves our country is not evil, self-serving, or looking for glory. Some were given a choice: the military or jail. Others were drafted, still others joined voluntarily after some heinous act jeopardized the safety of our country and its citizens.<br /><br />These men and women have seen things in the performance of their duties that most of us haven't even dreamed of in our worst nightmares. Decades after their service, what they did because their country asked them to or because their own life was threatened during combat, still haunts their minds and hearts. Many have never forgiven themselves and believe they can never atone enough for the lives taken, damage caused, and peace of mind taken, even though those lives were of the "enemy". They weep for the loss of humanity.<br /><br />Even those who did not die, lose limbs, or see comrades die lost something. The years and months away from family, freedoms, and easy going spirits were lost. Innocence was lost. Simply because the pain cannot be readily observed does not negate its existence. José Narosky has said "In war, there are no unwounded soldiers."<br /><br />It takes people with courage to stand up for the weak, less fortunate, and humanity to allow us our freedoms. The right to raise our families and sleep safely in our beds each night rests on their weary shoulders. Hold them up, thank them, and most of all, honor them.<br /><br />Paulissa Kipp 2011</b></span></span>Paulissa Kipp Visual Artshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08140338186909239968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8618252880596773921.post-59051714687023478082011-09-11T05:25:00.000-07:002011-09-11T06:55:58.919-07:00Time Marches On - 9/11 Reflections<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-azrCl3sB7Rs/TmypO5uYr5I/AAAAAAAAG94/GoOKOY91JAY/s1600/twin%2Btowers.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 180px; height: 272px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-azrCl3sB7Rs/TmypO5uYr5I/AAAAAAAAG94/GoOKOY91JAY/s320/twin%2Btowers.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5651077705921769362" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); ">This will be the only post to my stream regarding my reflections on the 10th anniversary of 9/11. So many thoughts are going through my mind. I will take my camera out and record the different moods and sights of this day that is like no other in a myriad of ways.<br /><br />10 Years On<br />9/11/11<br />I remember how topaz blue that morning was, the crispness of the air and the smell of fall as I walked that morning. As I returned back home, my neighbor came outside, handed me a cup of coffee and told me that a plane had hit the world trade center. I thought it odd but believed it to be a small plane. We went inside and were visiting when her husband called and said the 2nd tower had been hit. That is when the realization set in that it wasn't an accident. We called our loved ones and turned on the TV and watched in horror at the death and struggle for life wrought by hatred. Crying and numb, we watched. I don't think we even ate the rest of that day. We were too numb to even think about anything but being with other people. It didn't matter whether those other people were friends, family or strangers. We just didn't want to be alone. We heard about the collapse of the towers, Flight 93 and the Pentagon. The waves of nausea, shock and grief washed over us repeatedly like the coming and going of tide.<br /><br />Then the news came that President Bush was coming to Offutt AFB in Bellevue. A new wave of terror overtook me. It was terrifying to know that Stratcom is a target and that we might be next. I remember walking to the stereo and putting in Anne Murray's "A Little Good News" and playing it repeatedly, wishing there would be some good news. I rocked back and forth in a catatonic state and the tears found a wellspring I didn't know I had.<br /><br />Our church held a prayer vigil and we sleepwalked our way into the sanctuary and held hands with our friends and neighbors, prayed for the lives lost, for understanding, for love to overcome hate and reminded ourselves that vengeance is not ours.<br /><br />We gave blood, helped fund first responders and rescue dogs to help and tried to find our way to a better love of one another. We pulled together as a humans, as neighbors, as a country and as part of something bigger than hate.<br /><br />It seems that each generation has its version of The Day the World Changed - WW I, Pearl Harbor, the assassinations of JFK, RFK and MLK, Vietnam, Kent State, OKC, the 1st WTC bombing, the Cole and 9/11. It seems the fabric gets torn apart so that it can be patched together in a more meaningful fashion.<br /><br />We lost so much that day: 2977 souls and service and rescue dogs, our sense of security, innocence and freedoms.<br /><br />Yet we also gained some valuable things: Appreciation for connection, the value of binding together in times of crisis, sorrow and confusion and pride in our country. While I was always glad to be an American, I think I took it for granted before 9/11. After 9/11, my heart swells at the national anthem and the flag waving in the breeze moves me to tears. That day will never be forgotten. For me, it was the day I learned to appreciate my country.<br /><br />Now, 10 years later our lives are impacted nearly daily by the reactionary nature of the response to the attack. We have readily given up freedom after freedom as 9/11 is invoked as the end-all argument for never-ending regulation, eavesdropping and stripping at the airport. There is no denying the effect of 9/11 on our freedoms but what about upon our hearts? Are we living our lives with joy and fullness, loving our neighbors and striving to foster understanding of one another? My heart answers yes, what about yours?</span>Paulissa Kipp Visual Artshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08140338186909239968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8618252880596773921.post-88524389419183724352011-07-22T14:37:00.001-07:002011-07-22T14:37:57.306-07:00Loving Ourselves and Stopping the Hate<p>Our society needs a little less hate, and a little more love.</p> <p>The news needs a little less negativity, and many more smiles.</p> <p>We should start to slow down, and stop rushing.</p> <p>We need to remember to take deep breaths, instead of jumping to conclusions.</p> <p>We need to love ourselves, and stop the hate.</p> <p><em><a href="http://indecisivewar.tumblr.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://indecisivewar.tumblr.com/</a> :)</em></p>Paulissa Kipp Visual Artshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08140338186909239968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8618252880596773921.post-64001240648695107992011-07-21T04:29:00.001-07:002011-07-21T04:29:32.408-07:00Prayer<h6 class="uiStreamMessage" ft="{"type":1}"><span class="messageBody" ft="{"type":3}">Dear God,<br />I don't know about the challenges my Friends are facing,<br />But You know everything........<br />I hear their silence,<br />You hear their plead.............<br /><span class="text_exposed_show">I see their laughter,<br />You see their tears.............<br />I see what they receive,<br />You see what they sacrifice.............<br />I see their happy faces,<br />You see their scarred souls.........<br />I know their faith,<br />You know their doubts............<br />I know about their dreams,<br />You know about their fears........<br />Today, I pray to You to give them everything they need & bless them for all times to come...<br />Amen</span></span></h6>Paulissa Kipp Visual Artshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08140338186909239968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8618252880596773921.post-85324294617589581142011-07-10T14:47:00.000-07:002011-07-10T14:48:34.332-07:00Haruki Murakami<h6 class="uiStreamMessage" ft="{"type":1}"><span class="messageBody" ft="{"type":3}">"... once the storm is over you won’t remember how you made it through, how you managed to survive. You won’t even be sure, in fact, whether the storm is really over. But one thing is certain. When you come out of the storm you won’t be the same person who walked in." — Haruki Murakami</span></h6>Paulissa Kipp Visual Artshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08140338186909239968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8618252880596773921.post-35897730901933055052011-07-08T04:29:00.000-07:002011-07-08T04:31:45.109-07:00Preventing Bed BugsPassing this along since bedbugs seem to be everywhere these days:<br /><br />I received this from a friend who deals with situations that put her and her significant at risk of catching them more than most people. Here is what she shared:<br /><br />I travel alot for work and my boyfriend works in hotels. We talk a lot of preventive measures. I spray down my luggage and shoes with a pesticide everytime I travel. I ask the hotel if they have had bed bug breakouts in the last year. I <span class="yiv1631880523text_exposed_hide">...</span><span class="yiv1631880523text_exposed_show">thoroughly inspect my room before I use it. I store my bag on the vanity in the bathroom. Upon returning home all clothing and bags are loaded in a hot dryer for 30+mins (120 deg will kill them). We also have bed encasements and keep treatments on hand at home. I spray down movie theater seats before using them too and keep my purse on my lap. I buy clothes on-line and avoid the stores. Sounds excessive but it can cost a home owner $5000 or more to de-infest their homes and much more to replace their furnishings. Prevention is the best medicine. Take it seriously. Anyone can get them.</span><br /><br />I buy on-line from a site I found <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://www.domyownpestcontrol.com/bed-bugs-c-39.html"><span>http://www.domyownpestcont</span><span class="yiv1631880523word_break"></span>rol.com/bed-bugs-c-39.html</a>. I use products that have Pyrethrin. It is a natural pesticide that comes from Chrysanthimums. I heard about it on Dr. Oz. I have never had bedbugs and I don't plan on getting them, but that is because I have done my homework and take precautions. I keep a 2oz purse size spray bottle of a product called Sterifab in my purse and luggage.<br /><br />Anyone can get them. I am a bug-a-phobe, so when I first started hearing about this in early 2010, I called a "bug guy" and asked for his opinion. We talked for an hour and he gave me a lot of good advice. Since then, I have come up with my own preventive measures and they seem to be working. Again, both my boyfriend and I are in and out of hotels daily/weeklly for our jobs and in several different states. We need to be prepared.Paulissa Kipp Visual Artshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08140338186909239968noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8618252880596773921.post-14725316697487167322011-07-08T04:24:00.000-07:002011-07-08T04:29:42.735-07:00Not A Former<div style=" font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong>By the way, I'm a writer, photographer and artist. What are you??<br /><br />"Not a former..."<br />Bob Perks</strong></span></div> <div style=" font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">"Once you become, you are."</span></div> <div style=" font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;"> </div> <div style=" font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">"Once you attain you never go back"</span></div> <div style=" font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;"> </div> <div style=" font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">"Once you cross the finish line, you may<br />one day cross it again even faster, but<br />the first time you win, you remain a winner."</span></div> <div style=" font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;"> </div> <div style=" font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;"><span style="font-size:100%;">"Don't give me any crap!" I heard him say.<br />I don't ever want to hear you say you are<br />a former anything!"</span></div> <div style=" font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;"> </div> <div face="arial" style=" font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;">It was a conversation God wanted me<br />to hear. A note I wrote on a piece of<br />paper..."not a former," has remained<br />in my wallet for weeks.</span></div> <div face="arial" style=" font-weight: bold;"> </div> <div face="arial" style=" font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;">I wondered what I was going to do with it<br />until I crawled up the steps last night after<br />a long battle in my mind over what and<br />who I was vs. what and who I wanted to be.</span></div> <div face="arial" style=" font-weight: bold;"> </div> <div face="arial" style=" font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Once you learn to dance you are a dancer,<br />once you run a race, you are an runner. Once<br />you learn to climb, you are a climber. </span></div> <div face="arial" style=" font-weight: bold;"> </div> <div face="arial" style=" font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;">For "becoming" never goes back to wishing it so.</span></div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold;"> </div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;">You become a champion and stay a champion.<br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;">You are never a former champion in life.</span></div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold;"> </div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;">You can take three steps forward and four steps<br />back, but that does not put you behind. Because<br />once you go as far as you can you've attained<br />a new distance mark for the race of your life.</span></div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold;"> </div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Don't tell me what you can't do. Talk about what<br />you did and who you are because of it. Even if you<br />set out to climb the highest mountain in the world<br />and you only go so far, you can never say you<br />failed to finish. You went the distance... you climbed<br />further up the mountain than ever before. That<br />makes you a mountain climber.</span></div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold;"> </div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><em>"Today, make a list of your accomplishments,<br />no matter how big or how small.<br /></em></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><em>You may not be where you want to be,<br />but it's better than nowhere at all."</em></span></div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold;"> </div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;">By the way...I am an inspirational writer/speaker.</span></div><span style=" font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" > <div align="left"> </div></span> <div style=" font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">"I wish you enough!"</span> </div> <div style=" font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">J </span></div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-size:100%;">Bob Perks</span></div><span style=" font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" > </span><span style=" font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;font-size:12pt;" > I encourage you to share my stories but<br />I do ask that you keep my name and contact<br />information with my work.<br /><br /></span><div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold;">P.O. Box 1702 </div><span style=" font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" > </span><div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold;"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1310123864_10">Shavertown, Pa. 18708</span></div><span style=" font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" > Contact Bob </span><a style=" font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="mailto:2believe@comcast.net"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1310123864_11">2believe@comcast.net</span></a><span style=" font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" > </span>Paulissa Kipp Visual Artshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08140338186909239968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8618252880596773921.post-9027660525804325992011-07-07T18:55:00.001-07:002011-07-07T18:55:50.017-07:00Veterans<h6 style=" font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;" class="uiStreamMessage"><span><span class="messageBody">As inadequate as is sounds thank you for all you have done. Thank you for the sacrifices made, the chances taken and the freedoms defended. Thank you for all you have given up and are willing to give up, even unto your life. Thank you for all the little moments of liberty we so often take for granted, paid for by the coin of your many lives. Thank you for wearing a uniform that may mark you as a target, and always marks you as a hero. Thank you for enduring so as a nation we all may endure. Today and everyday please accept my undying gratitude for all you stand for. ♥</span></span></h6>Paulissa Kipp Visual Artshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08140338186909239968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8618252880596773921.post-87618602946195708642011-07-07T18:25:00.000-07:002011-07-07T18:26:25.042-07:00Love<p style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold;">Our society needs a little less hate, and a little more love.</p> <p style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold;">The news needs a little less negativity, and many more smiles.</p> <p style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold;">We should start to slow down, and stop rushing.</p> <p style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold;">We need to remember to take deep breaths, instead of jumping to conclusions.</p> <p style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold;">We need to love ourselves, and stop the hate.</p> <p style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold;"><em><a href="http://indecisivewar.tumblr.com/">http://indecisivewar.tumblr.com/</a> :)</em></p>Paulissa Kipp Visual Artshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08140338186909239968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8618252880596773921.post-74696886963409972442011-06-20T17:13:00.000-07:002011-06-20T17:14:22.425-07:00Personal Bill of Rights<h6 class="uiStreamMessage" ft="{"type":1}"><span class="messageBody" ft="{"type":3}">A Personal Bill of Rights<br /><br />1. I have numerous choices in my life beyond mere survival.<br />2. I have the right to discover and know my Child Within.<br />3. I have the right to grieve over what I didn't get that I needed or what I got that I didn't need or want.<br /><span class="text_exposed_show">4. I have the right to follow my own values and standards.<br />5. I have the right to recognize and accept my own value system as appropriate.<br />6. I have the right to say no to anything when I feel I am not ready, it is unsafe or it violates my values.<br />7. I have the right to dignity and respect.<br />8. I have the right to make decisions.<br />9. I have the right to determine and honor my own priorities.<br />10. I have the right to have my needs and wants respected by others.<br />11. I have the right to terminate conversations with people who make me feel put down and humiliated.<br />12. I have the right not to be responsible for others behavior, actions, feelings or problems.<br />13. I have the right to make mistakes and not have to be perfect.<br />14. I have the right to expect honesty from others.<br />15. I have the right to all of my feelings.<br />16. I have the right to be angry at someone I love.<br />17. I have the right to be uniquely me, without feeling that I'm not good enough.<br />18. I have the right to feel scared and to say, "I'm afraid."<br />19. I have the right to experience and then let go of fear, guilt and shame.<br />20. I have the right to make decisions based on my feelings, my judgement or any reason that I choose.<br />21. I have the right to change my mind at any time.<br />22. I have the right to be happy.<br />23. I have the right to stability, i.e., "roots" and stable healthy relationships of my choice.<br />24. I have the right to my own personal space and time needs.<br />25. I have the right to be relaxed, playful and frivolous.<br />26. I have the right to be flexible and be comfortable with doing so.<br />27. I have the right to change and grow.<br />28. I have the right to be open to improve my communication skills so that I may be understood.<br />29. I have the right to make friends and be comfortable around people.<br />30. I have the right to be in a nonabusive environment.<br />31. I have the right to be healthier than those around me.<br />32. I have the right to take care of myself, no matter what.<br />33. I have the right to grieve over actual or threatened losses.<br />34. I have the right to trust others who earn my trust.<br />35. I have the right to forgive others and to forgive myself.<br />36. I have the right to give and to receive unconditional love.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.angelfire.com/realm2/simons-place/Bill_Of_Rights.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span>http://www.angelfire.com/realm</span><wbr><span class="word_break"></span><span>2/simons-place/Bill_Of_Rights.</span><wbr><span class="word_break"></span>html</a><br />By: Charles Whitfield</span></span></h6>Paulissa Kipp Visual Artshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08140338186909239968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8618252880596773921.post-51057127102097820792011-06-11T04:33:00.001-07:002011-06-11T04:33:41.768-07:00Promise Yourself<strong><span></span></strong> <div id="id_4df35237466732836410748" class="text_exposed_root text_exposed">Promise Yourself<br /><br />Promise yourself to be so strong that nothing can<br />disturb your pe<span class="text_exposed_show">ace of mind.<br /><br />To talk health, happiness, and prosperity to<br />every person you meet.<br /><br />To make all your friends feel like there is<br />something in them.<br /><br />To look at the sunny side of everything and make your<br />optimism come true.<br /><br />To think only of the best, to work only for the best,<br />and expect only the best.<br /><br />To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others<br />as you are about your own.<br /><br />To forget the mistakes of the past and press on the<br />greater achievements of the future.<br /><br />To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give<br />every living person you meet a smile.<br /><br />To give so much time to the improvement of yourself<br />that you have no time to criticize others.<br /><br />To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, and too<br />strong for fear, and to happy to permit the<br />presence of trouble.<br /><br />Christian D Larson<br />(The Optimist Creed<br />From The Optimist International)</span></div>Paulissa Kipp Visual Artshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08140338186909239968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8618252880596773921.post-23330098340079246292011-05-07T07:34:00.000-07:002011-05-07T07:35:16.408-07:00Be.<span class="messageBody"><div id="id_4dc55514a36828968535955" class="text_exposed_root text_exposed">Be.<br /><br />Be understanding to your enemies.<br />Be loyal to your friends.<br />Be strong enough to face the world each day.<br /><span class="text_exposed_hide">...</span><span class="text_exposed_show">Be weak enough to know you cannot do everything alone.<br />Be generous to those who need your help.<br /><br />Be frugal with what you need yourself.<br />Be wise enough to know that you do not know everything.<br />Be foolish enough to believe in miracles.<br />Be willing to share your joys.<br />Be willing to share the sorrows of others.<br /><br />Be a leader when you see a path others have missed.<br />Be a follower when you are shrouded by the mists of uncertainty.<br />Be the first to congratulate an opponent who succeeds.<br />Be the last to criticize a colleague who fails.<br />Be sure where your next step will fall, so that you will not tumble.<br /><br />Be sure of your final destination, in case you are going the wrong way.<br />Be loving to those who love you.<br />Be loving to those who do not love you, and they may change.<br />Above all, be yourself.<br /><br />~Author Unknown</span></div></span>Paulissa Kipp Visual Artshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08140338186909239968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8618252880596773921.post-83044752535542195192011-05-02T19:58:00.000-07:002011-05-02T19:59:48.087-07:00The Oak Tree<span jsid="text">The Oak Tree - by Johnny Ray Ryder Jr.<br /><br />A mighty wind blew night and day.<br /><span class="text_exposed_hide">...</span><span class="text_exposed_show">It stole the Oak Tree's leaves away.<br />Then snapped its boughs<br />and pulled its bark<br />until the Oak was tired and stark.<br /><br />But still the Oak Tree held its ground<br />while other trees fell all around.<br />The weary wind gave up and spoke,<br />"How can you still be standing Oak?"<br /><br />The Oak Tree said, I know that you<br />can break each branch of mine in two,<br />carry every leaf away,<br />shake my limbs and make me sway.<br /><br />But I have roots stretched in the earth,<br />growing stronger since my birth.<br />You'll never touch them, for you see<br />they are the deepest part of me.<br /><br />Until today, I wasn't sure<br />of just how much I could endure.<br />But now I've found with thanks to you,<br />I'm stronger than I ever knew.</span></span>Paulissa Kipp Visual Artshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08140338186909239968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8618252880596773921.post-59885980673730071652011-03-19T10:21:00.000-07:002011-03-19T10:22:23.404-07:00The Holy Alphabet...This is Beautiful!The Holy Alphabet...This is Beautiful!<br /><br /> <br /><br /> <br /><br />Whoever came up with this one must have had some Divine guidance!<br /><br /> <br /><br />Although things are not perfect<br /><br /> <br /><br />Because of trial or pain<br /><br /> <br /><br />Continue in thanksgiving<br /><br /> <br /><br />Do not begin to blame<br /><br /> <br /><br />Even when the times are hard<br /><br /> <br /><br />Fierce winds are bound to blow<br /><br /> <br /><br />God is forever able<br /><br /> <br /><br />Hold on to what you know<br /><br /> <br /><br />Imagine life without His love<br /><br /> <br /><br />Joy would cease to be<br /><br /> <br /><br />Keep thanking Him for all the things<br /><br /> <br /><br />Love imparts to thee<br /><br /> <br /><br />Move out of "Camp Complaining"<br /><br /> <br /><br />No weapon that is known<br /><br /> <br /><br />On earth can yield the power<br /><br /> <br /><br />Praise can do alone<br /><br /> <br /><br />Quit looking at the future<br /><br /> <br /><br />Redeem the time at hand<br /><br /> <br /><br />Start every day with worship<br /><br /> <br /><br />To "thank" is a command<br /><br /> <br /><br />Until we see Him coming<br /><br /> <br /><br />Victorious in the sky<br /><br /> <br /><br />We'll run the race with gratitude<br /><br /> <br /><br />Xalting God most high<br /><br /> <br /><br />Y es, there'll be good times and yes some will be bad, but...<br /><br /> <br /><br />Zion waits in glory...where none are ever sad!Paulissa Kipp Visual Artshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08140338186909239968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8618252880596773921.post-23792401291475484052011-02-12T05:39:00.000-08:002011-02-12T05:42:45.088-08:00If You're Ever Going To Love Me<div style="text-align: center; font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZMG0UM5ZL-w/TVaODbToe9I/AAAAAAAAFIc/VkkBCotO9lQ/s1600/Tree%2Bof%2Bself%2Binsight.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZMG0UM5ZL-w/TVaODbToe9I/AAAAAAAAFIc/VkkBCotO9lQ/s320/Tree%2Bof%2Bself%2Binsight.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5572797778438421458" border="0" /></a><br /></div><p style="text-align: center; font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I remember reading this poem in an Ann Landers column when I was in my teens. Just as true now as it was then and it is how I try to approach showing others they matter to me. I've found no copyright, so author is still unknown.</p><p style="text-align: center; font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </p><p style="text-align: center; font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </p><p style="text-align: center; font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">If You're Ever Going To Love Me</p><p style="text-align: center; font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </p><p style="text-align: center; font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">If you're ever going to love me</p><p style="text-align: center; font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">love me now, while I can know</p><p style="text-align: center; font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">All the sweet and tender feeling</p><p style="text-align: center; font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">which from real affection flow.</p><p style="text-align: center; font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Love me now, while I am living;</p><p style="text-align: center; font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">do not wait till I am gone</p><p style="text-align: center; font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">And then chisel it in marble--</p><p style="text-align: center; font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">warm love words on ice-cold stone.</p><p style="text-align: center; font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </p><p style="text-align: center; font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">If you've dear, sweet thought of me,</p><p style="text-align: center; font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">why not whisper them to me?</p><p style="text-align: center; font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Don't you know 'twould make me happy</p><p style="text-align: center; font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">and as glad as glad could be?</p><p style="text-align: center; font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">If you wait till I am sleeping,</p><p style="text-align: center; font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">ne'er to waken here again,</p><p style="text-align: center; font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">There'll be walls of earth between us</p><p style="text-align: center; font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">and I couldn't hear you then.</p><p style="text-align: center; font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </p><p style="text-align: center; font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">If you knew someone was thirsting</p><p style="text-align: center; font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">for a drop of water sweet</p><p style="text-align: center; font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Would you be slow to bring it?</p><p style="text-align: center; font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Would you step with laggard feet?</p><p style="text-align: center; font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">There are tender hearts all round us</p><p style="text-align: center; font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">who are thirsting for our love;</p><p style="text-align: center; font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Why withhold from them what nature</p><p style="text-align: center; font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">makes them crave all else above?</p><p style="text-align: center; font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </p><p style="text-align: center; font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I won't need your kind caresses</p><p style="text-align: center; font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">when the grass grows o'er my face;</p><p style="text-align: center; font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I won't crave your love or kisses</p><p style="text-align: center; font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">in my last low resting place.</p><p style="text-align: center; font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">So, then, if you love me any,</p><p style="text-align: center; font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">if it's but a little bit,</p><p style="text-align: center; font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Let me know it now while living;</p><p style="text-align: center; font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">I can own and treasure it.</p><p style="text-align: center; font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </p><p style="text-align: center; font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">(Author Unknown, though many have claimed authorship)</p>Paulissa Kipp Visual Artshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08140338186909239968noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8618252880596773921.post-13051052668900514332011-01-09T15:36:00.000-08:002011-01-09T19:20:35.701-08:00Maybe We Need A Lullabye<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDVuPJbqNMlhSMWoZKJQe28IMA1R6oOZlsJXJK0E7NBWO7NC2tQ1Q3qeH67OhNKP0tLAmowvQXR44YmVSonIO915stPoZgUzDvwe4y5u3B0UsG1FiYyK2rzEGfKABYrgdQe8209PxTcFwF/s1600/love+and+music.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 215px; height: 184px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDVuPJbqNMlhSMWoZKJQe28IMA1R6oOZlsJXJK0E7NBWO7NC2tQ1Q3qeH67OhNKP0tLAmowvQXR44YmVSonIO915stPoZgUzDvwe4y5u3B0UsG1FiYyK2rzEGfKABYrgdQe8209PxTcFwF/s320/love+and+music.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5560362717283439826" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family:arial;">I sat down to work on some algebra but my thoughts kept turning to the violence the past week has brought:<br /><br />A school shooting here in my community of Omaha, NE that left 2 dead and one injured .<br /><br />A shooting in a shopping mall in Tucson, Arizona that left 8 dead.<br /><br />The shooting of a Congresswoman who mere days before took the oath of office and that took the lives of a child, a judge, and many others.<br /><br />Suspicious packages detonated in Maryland.<br /><br />What a way to begin a new year that a mere 9 days ago held hope for peace, freshness, love and kindness.<br /><br />In the face of events such as these, perhaps it is only human nature to ask why, to look for reasons, to lay blame on society's ill (of which there are many) and to spin like a web answers to those questions that may never have answers.<br /><br />Large scale violence shakes us to our souls and invites introspection. We question upbringing, influences, availability of guns, emotional scars and many times we wonder what we as a society or an individual have done to contribute to these <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">occurences</span>. Have we extended love and understanding to another? Have we turned a blind eye to the outsider and the inconvenient reminders of poverty, homelessness, age or neglect? We vow to change, to be kinder and to pay more attention. Sometimes we pray more, we hug our children more, say "I love you more" and even cry more. Pain is palpable, even if those affected were not a part of our own families. We vacillate between anger, disappointment, fear, love for those who lives were lost or forever changed in an instant. We wish for comfort.<br /><br />Perhaps we need a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">lullabye</span>. Oh, how I can hear the pooh-pooing of that suggestion already. "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Psshhhhhh</span> only children need lullabies". I say we <span style="font-style: italic;">all</span> need <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">lullabyes</span>. After all, what is a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">lullabye</span>? We sing lullabies to small children as we rock them to sleep, to calm them when they fall and get scraped up and when they're scared. Yet as adults, we fall and get scraped up, we hurt emotionally, we get upset and we keep going and going. We try all manner of things to quell the pain - tears, writing, alcohol, tobacco, exercise - the list goes on and on. Yet maybe what we need most is a gentle touch and a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">lullabye</span>. A "there, there. It will be OK". Because perhaps it really is that simple.<br /><br />Perhaps all the broken hearted people need a calming song, a change in the frenetic soundtrack that is our lives and a chance to hum a new tune. A song, a melody or a harmony to reset the metronome differently. Think about it.<br /><br />My adult lullabies are Dire Straits' "Why Worry"<br />Elvis "Walk A Mile in My Shoes"<br />Blind Boys of Alabama "Give A Man A Home"<br />K D Lang "Hallelujah"<br />Susan Boyle "Don't Dream It's Over"<br />Bee Gees (yes, I'll admit to liking them) "Gotta Get A Message to You"<br />Ben Harper "There Will Be A Light"<br />Timothy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Schmit</span> "Secular Praise"<br />Elvis "You'll Never Walk Alone"<br />Anne Murray "A Little Good News"<br /><br />And with each tune, we are reminded of something different - hope, vulnerability, kindness, love, faith, compassion and so much more. We gather the strong to go on, for that is really what the lullaby does. Maybe that's all we need.<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span>Paulissa Kipp Visual Artshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08140338186909239968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8618252880596773921.post-18085663998543341902010-12-24T08:28:00.001-08:002010-12-24T08:28:27.625-08:00In our hearts, in our homes, a special night<p>www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/ct-met-kass-1224-20101224,0,3825143.column</p> <h1>chicagotribune.com</h1> <h2>In our hearts, in our homes, a special night</h2> <p>John Kass</p> <p> December 24, 2010</p> <div> <div style="float: right; text-align: center; padding-bottom: 3px; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; text-transform: lowercase; color: rgb(136, 136, 136); letter-spacing: 1px; font-size: 10px;"> <table class="cubeAd"> <tbody><tr><td class="adLabel">Advertisement</td></tr> <tr> <td align="center" valign="middle"> <div class="miscAd cube"> <noscript><a href="http://ad.doubleclick.net/jump/trb.chicagotribune/news/column;rs=10123;rs=10011;rs=10017;rs=10026;rs=10027;rs=10029;rs=10045;rs=10064;rs=10086;rs=10088;rs=10114;rs=10128;rs=10173;;ptype=ps;slug=ct-met-kass-1224-20101224;rg=ur;ref=chicagotribunecom;pos=1;sz=300x250,336x280;tile=1;ca=Children;en=Nursing;at=Children;at=Family;at=MedicalSpecialization;at=Health;at=Nursing;u=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/ct-met-kass-1224-20101224,0,2688139,print.column;ord=60030252?" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><img src="http://ad.doubleclick.net/ad/trb.chicagotribune/news/column;rs=10123;rs=10011;rs=10017;rs=10026;rs=10027;rs=10029;rs=10045;rs=10064;rs=10086;rs=10088;rs=10114;rs=10128;rs=10173;;ptype=ps;slug=ct-met-kass-1224-20101224;rg=ur;ref=chicagotribunecom;pos=1;dcopt=ist;sz=300x250,336x280;tile=1;ca=Children;en=Nursing;at=Children;at=Family;at=MedicalSpecialization;at=Health;at=Nursing;u=http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/columnists/ct-met-kass-1224-20101224,0,2688139,print.column;ord=60030252?" width="336" height="280" border="0" alt="" /></a></noscript> </div> </td> </tr> </tbody></table> </div> <p>For all the children who should be loved always, but especially on this wondrous night, with our arms around them and a long goodnight kiss on the temple, a kiss more precious than anything wrapped up in a box.<br /><br />For all the parents who linger in the doorways of those bedrooms, watching those sleeping shapes.<br /><br />For all the babies who aren't loved enough and may grow up with a hard crust around their hearts because someone neglected to plant those kisses and give those hugs.<br /><br />For every couple that adopts a child and saves a life. For all the young mothers who saved the life they carried by giving that child up for adoption.<br /><br />For all those who've lost their children. For the children who've lost their moms and dads.<br /><br />And for the crazy uncles who will drink too much, and put on the red suit and dance outside alone in the cold, before sneaking in to surprise the laughing kids. For the wise aunts who make sure the coffee is strong, so the crazy uncles can sober up.<br /><br />For all the men and women and children of all the church choirs of the world, practicing for months, gathering on weeknights in the empty churches, so that on this night they may carry us with their harmonies.<br /><br />And for their voices that gently invite us to humble ourselves, so we may ask for help to begin scraping away any bitterness that has taken root.<br /><br />For all the friends, relatives and neighbors who haven't waited for one night to build what is important. All year they've been building it, and they show up on a Thursday afternoon in June, or on a cool morning in November, just to see if you're OK.<br /><br />So tonight is theirs, and tomorrow too, because they are family, by friendship and by blood, by the acts of family.<br /><br />For those who are far away and can't make it home this year. For those who've been distant in other ways, worrying that they've been gone too long, wondering if it is too late to open that door.<br /><br />But tonight is the night of new hope.<br /><br />The door is always open.<br /><br />Just reach for it and see.<br /><br />For the old guys at the end of the bar, nursing their drinks, half-watching the TV and grateful there is a warm place to sit and hear the laughter.<br /><br />For the old women alone in their rooms, awake in bed, remembering these nights past and the laughter of children, nights when it wasn't so still, when there was so much to do and a houseful of hungry guests to feed.<br /><br />For the young parents who are stressed and overwhelmed, with the kids and the bills and the shopping. For the dads and moms who've been out of work, and are desperate for a job and are afraid.<br /><br />For everyone on the night shift, and those who work tomorrow. For police, firefighters and paramedics who rush into danger to help us. And for the souls of Chicago firefighters Corey Ankum and Edward Stringer, who were killed this week.<br /><br />For everyone in a hospital praying for dignity and relief without shame or suffering. For the physicians who care for them. For those nurses who enter the room, pull up a chair and listen to quiet confessions.<br /><br />For those of the clergy who have struggled with belief, yet find it again, and are renewed.<br /><br />And for every sailor on every ship tonight, especially those on watch on the bridge, looking out into cold black water, remembering brightly lit rooms.<br /><br />For our young president and his wife and their little girls. For all our leaders. For the members of the U.S. military who protect us with their bodies and their lives. And the members of the intelligence services and the Foreign Service who put themselves at risk for this country. For all their loved ones, waiting for them.<br /><br />For our great nation that faces difficult days ahead, and for our countrymen who've already faced many difficult days, and see more coming and never quit.<br /><br />To those of you I've offended with my thoughtless and clumsy words and shrill tone on bad days. I'm sorry.<br /><br />And for those who've given this column a chance, visiting with me four mornings a week, and those who've written or called or sent e-mail. My wife and I can't ever properly express our thanks. But tonight we'll thank you, once again.<br /><br />And for everyone who has kept hold of what is truly important about this special night.<br /><br />It is the message brought by that perfect child born in a manger in Bethlehem, the child who came to light the world.<br /><br />He is the gift.<br /><br />And it is all about love.<br /><br />So I hope that it comes to you, and comforts you, and remains.<br /><br />From my wife, Betty, and our boys, from my mother and my brothers and their wives and children, from all of us to all of you and yours.<br /><br />Merry Christmas.<br /><br /><i><a href="mailto:jskass@tribune.com">jskass@tribune.com</a></i></p> </div> <p class="copyright">Copyright © 2010, <a href="http://www.chicagotribune.com/" target="_blank">Chicago Tribune</a></p>Paulissa Kipp Visual Artshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08140338186909239968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8618252880596773921.post-39531181368593453292010-12-24T08:10:00.000-08:002010-12-24T08:11:24.939-08:00"My Christmas wish for you"<div align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">"My Christmas wish for you"</span></div> <div align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">By Bob Perks</span></div> <div align="left"> </div> <div align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">First of all I wish you a spirit filled holiday season.<br /></span></div> <div align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">May those who love you and those you love be near<br />you. May God Bless and protect you in your travels<br />and bring you safely home again. May you NOT get<br />everything you want so that you grow in reaching<br />further than you thought you could to get those things<br />worth working hard for.</span></div> <div align="left"> </div> <div align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">Be an observer this holiday. Participate, too. But take<br />30 minutes in the middle of a holiday gathering and<br />watch those around you. See the smiles? Hear the<br />forgiving voice of love? See how for the first time<br />in much too long a time two forever enemies bow<br />their heads in unity giving thanks to a single God?</span></div> <div align="left"> </div> <div align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">Watch in the kitchen when everyone shares the<br />responsibilities. The end result of cooperation is<br />satisfaction.</span></div> <div align="left"> </div> <div align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">Watch in the living room as generations gather<br />around the tree and share in each others joy while<br />opening presents. See the adults crawl on the<br />floor as they stoop down to play once more as a child.<br /></span></div> <div align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">Note the sparkle in the eye of the littlest one who has<br />no idea what this is all about but what ever it is it<br />makes me giggle.</span></div> <div align="left"> </div> <div align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">Watch how everyone laughs for the hundredth time at<br />the same family stories that the old folks have told<br />year after year.</span></div> <div align="left"> </div> <div align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">See the look of satisfaction on the face of grandpa and<br />grandma as they proudly scan the room knowing that<br />they did their very best to raise such a great family.</span></div> <div align="left"> </div> <div align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">And if you look closely enough you will see the spirits<br />of those family members who are no longer of this world.<br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;">They live on in each of you who loved them dearly.</span></div> <div align="left"> </div> <div align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">Stop for thirty minutes. Soak up the memories. Hold<br />them close to your heart for times when things seem<br />so desperate and lost.</span></div> <div align="left"> </div> <div align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">These moments are the true gifts of Christmas.</span></div> <div align="left"> </div> <div align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">They are proof that this world can be loving, kind,<br />forgiving, compassionate and without prejudice if we<br />truly will it to be.</span></div> <div align="left"> </div> <div align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">If you should be spending this holiday by yourself for<br />what ever reason please know that you are never alone.<br />God is celebrating there with you in the quiet moments<br />of this day. You are His precious gift to the<br />world.</span></div> <div align="left"> </div> <div align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">Know too, I swear to you, that at a single point in<br />my Christmas celebration I will stop what I am doing and<br />think of you. I will ask God to bless you in a special way.<br /></span></div> <div align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">At that very moment you will feel it and know that I kept<br />my promise.</span></div> <div align="left"> </div> <div align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">You are loved.</span></div> <div align="left"> </div> <div align="left"><span style="font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;">J </span></div> <div><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:Arial;">Bob Perks<br /></span></span><div>P.O. Box 1702 </div> <div>Shavertown, Pa. 18708</div> Contact Bob <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://us.mc387.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=2believe@comcast.net"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1293206895_8">2believe@comcast.net</span></a><br /></div>Paulissa Kipp Visual Artshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08140338186909239968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8618252880596773921.post-54894567891779676922010-12-08T18:05:00.000-08:002010-12-08T18:20:00.334-08:00In A Child's Eyes<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eaQy7NilQOo/TQA69b2DrlI/AAAAAAAAFGY/diQtV2LDtyg/s1600/100_4421.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eaQy7NilQOo/TQA69b2DrlI/AAAAAAAAFGY/diQtV2LDtyg/s320/100_4421.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548499568041373266" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eaQy7NilQOo/TQA6805NltI/AAAAAAAAFGQ/wUyw4dgc26U/s1600/100_4406.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_eaQy7NilQOo/TQA6805NltI/AAAAAAAAFGQ/wUyw4dgc26U/s320/100_4406.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548499557585622738" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eaQy7NilQOo/TQA68Qaqi4I/AAAAAAAAFGI/HA-nBTteYQM/s1600/100_4405.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eaQy7NilQOo/TQA68Qaqi4I/AAAAAAAAFGI/HA-nBTteYQM/s320/100_4405.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548499547793820546" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eaQy7NilQOo/TQA68P2BSzI/AAAAAAAAFGA/PdpI6zD3qWo/s1600/100_4404.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_eaQy7NilQOo/TQA68P2BSzI/AAAAAAAAFGA/PdpI6zD3qWo/s320/100_4404.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548499547640122162" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eaQy7NilQOo/TQA673SE7cI/AAAAAAAAFF4/Gc3jxI4mjDk/s1600/100_4403.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eaQy7NilQOo/TQA673SE7cI/AAAAAAAAFF4/Gc3jxI4mjDk/s320/100_4403.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548499541046914498" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eaQy7NilQOo/TQA6UnNp8XI/AAAAAAAAFFw/YOKh5VcEmkA/s1600/100_4400.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eaQy7NilQOo/TQA6UnNp8XI/AAAAAAAAFFw/YOKh5VcEmkA/s320/100_4400.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548498866718503282" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eaQy7NilQOo/TQA6UJgDNlI/AAAAAAAAFFo/EQt2Z7ACdXs/s1600/100_4399.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eaQy7NilQOo/TQA6UJgDNlI/AAAAAAAAFFo/EQt2Z7ACdXs/s320/100_4399.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548498858742593106" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eaQy7NilQOo/TQA6Tz48irI/AAAAAAAAFFg/1gkomzlauFk/s1600/100_4398.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eaQy7NilQOo/TQA6Tz48irI/AAAAAAAAFFg/1gkomzlauFk/s320/100_4398.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548498852941433522" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSR2Yp0BmRDQjnrO-g1ezT4cSz1PWpKma06BZ7XpCiRm42kFAwsDKZGzd9k2c3mG4t_20YBNlLt8RpfV-7GPF_V5Xv4j1KrxfeooJUsHh53K3xLblYNgAZNjVIR2OxNXvhknNdVH7-2TM5/s1600/100_4397.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSR2Yp0BmRDQjnrO-g1ezT4cSz1PWpKma06BZ7XpCiRm42kFAwsDKZGzd9k2c3mG4t_20YBNlLt8RpfV-7GPF_V5Xv4j1KrxfeooJUsHh53K3xLblYNgAZNjVIR2OxNXvhknNdVH7-2TM5/s320/100_4397.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548498847521831810" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eaQy7NilQOo/TQA6TAGLg1I/AAAAAAAAFFQ/DXMZkds1StQ/s1600/100_4414.JPG"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_eaQy7NilQOo/TQA6TAGLg1I/AAAAAAAAFFQ/DXMZkds1StQ/s320/100_4414.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5548498839038296914" border="0" /></a><br />There is something magical about seeing things through the eyes of a child. Wonder, awe, curiosity, joy and chaos reign! <br /><br />I mentor a 9 yr old named Asiana and she is amazing. Smart, creative, funny and loving. I like to do big outings as a group with her siblings so that we can avoid sibling rivalry and all of the kids get to have fun so we look for low cost or free activities to do together. This past Sunday was the Wells Fargo Family Fun Day with free admission to various museums, cultural sites and the Omaha Police Department horse barn. The kids had their faces painted, decorated cowboy hats, saw the horses and had cocoa and cookies at the horse barn, checked out the antique locomotives at the Durham, stared in wonder at the tree - all 85 feet of it - and sang Christmas songs. It was a great time. <br /><br />I am going to take these pictures and make up prints and frame the family one for them for Christmas.<br /><br />I knew that the mentoring experience would touch at least one life but it has truly amazing to share with this child and her family. I am so blessed.Paulissa Kipp Visual Artshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08140338186909239968noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8618252880596773921.post-61970060835703418982010-12-06T06:22:00.000-08:002010-12-08T05:06:47.048-08:00"The Biggest Gift of All!"<div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;"><strong>"The Biggest Gift of All!"<br /><br />By Bob Perks<br /><br /></strong> </span></div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">"What happened to it?," the child asked.<br /><br /></span></div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"> </div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">"What happened to what?" someone replied.<br /><br /></span></div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"> </div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">"My gift for Mom and Dad. It was the smallest and it<br />got lost," he sadly replied.<br /><br /></span></div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"> </div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">It happens that way. It seems that when it comes to<br />gift giving we feel the need to out do each other. The<br />bigger the box, the more money we spend, the more<br />love expressed.<br /><br /></span></div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"> </div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">It's simply not true. It's all a lie and we know it.<br /><br /></span></div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"> </div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">"Oh, you didn't have to..."<br /><br /></span></div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"> </div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">Yes they did. The world demands it of us. You know<br />you would have felt rejected, ignored and overlooked<br />if they didn't give you something.<br /><br /></span></div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"> </div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">"I have to get a gift for Joe. He gave me something<br />last year."<br /><br /></span></div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"> </div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">"I'm only sending cards to people who sent them<br />to me."<br /><br /></span></div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"> </div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">How sad. Gift giving has become a matching game.<br />Or worst yet, a competition.<br /><br /></span></div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"> </div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">So it was on this Christmas morning.<br /><br /></span></div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"> </div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">"I can't believe all of the presents!" someone said. </span></div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"> </div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">"This is even more than last year!" the oldest child<br />confirmed. </span></div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"> </div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">"I guess Santa out did himself this year," Dad said. </span></div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"> </div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">"You must have been really good!" said Mom. </span></div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"> </div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">"Wait before you open them, let's get a picture of it all.<br />We can compare it to last year's gifts," said Dad.<br /><br /></span></div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"> </div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">Then the reds and greens of fancy Christmas paper flew<br />across the room. The bows and ribbons were crushed<br />among the efforts to make get to the gifts.<br /><br /></span></div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"> </div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">The youngest child was lost at times in the rush to find<br />his own Santa's treasures but managed to survive somehow.<br /><br /></span></div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"> </div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">"Don't forget the gifts we got for each other!" one child yelled.<br /><br /></span></div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"> </div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">The youngest child stopped what he was doing. He<br />wanted to watch his parents when they opened his special gift. </span></div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"> </div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">But it was no where to be found.<br /><br /></span></div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"> </div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">"What happened to it?," the child asked. </span></div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"> </div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">"What happened to what?" someone replied. </span></div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"> </div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">"My gift for Mom and Dad. It was the smallest and it got lost,"<br />he sadly replied.<br /><br /></span></div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"> </div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">The others were too busy to help him find it. They already<br />began clearing away the paper and he feared they had<br />tossed it in the garbage.<br /><br /></span></div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"> </div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">"You need to get bigger gifts. You don't lose big gifts," his<br />older sister said laughing. </span></div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"> </div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">"But it was the biggest gift of all," the child replied. </span></div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"> </div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">He sat down in frustration and began to cry.<br /><br /></span></div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"> </div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">"Is this it?" his brother asked as he held the little box in his<br />hand. "I almost stepped on it." </span></div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"> </div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">"That's the biggest gift of all?" the sister said mockingly.<br /></span></div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">"What a joke!" </span></div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"> </div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">"It is! It is!" he shouted back. "You'll see!"<br /><br /></span></div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"> </div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">Then, grabbing it from his brother's hand he straightened<br />out the bow and handed it to Mom.<br /><br /></span></div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"> </div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">"Daddy, come here. This is for you, too," he said while sniffling<br />away his tears.<br /><br /></span></div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"> </div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">Everyone stopped what they were doing to see what he had given.<br /></span></div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">Perhaps just out of curiosity, maybe just to laugh. </span></div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"> </div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">Carefully Mom unwrapped the gift and opened the box.<br /><br /></span></div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"> </div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">"Oh, my!" she said as she slowly sat down on the couch. </span></div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"> </div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">"What? What is it?" someone said. </span></div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"> </div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">Then Dad sat down next to her to share the special moment. </span></div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"> </div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">"Oh, I see." he said. Looking at his wife he humbly said, "It is<br />indeed the biggest gift."<br /><br /></span></div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"> </div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">Then Mom reached in, pulled out the gift and placed it on her hand.<br /><br /><br /></span></div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">It was the Christ Child in the cradle.<br /><br /></span></div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"> </div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">Dad glanced over to look at their manger now buried beneath<br />the all too many gifts.<br /><br /></span></div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"> </div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">"Clear away those things," he asked of his oldest child.<br /><br /></span></div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"> </div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">The dimly lit star attached to the manger shown down on the<br />spot where the Christ Child would normally be.<br /><br /></span></div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"> </div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">"But he took it from..." his sister began to say until Mom<br />interrupted her.<br /><br /></span></div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"> </div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">"He took it from the story of Christmas. The real reason we should be celebrating," she said.<br /><br /></span></div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"> </div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">The small child was standing next to the tree. The white lights<br />sparkled off the warm streams of tears that ran down his face.<br /><br /></span></div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">Quietly he explained..."Every year we think about how to give the<br />biggest gift. I thought that this year I would give the best gift anyone<br />could ever give. The pastor at Bible school asked us to think about<br />the greatest gift of all. Then I thought about Jesus and knew that I<br />could not ever out give God. So my gift to you and Dad was the<br />Biggest gift of all...ever!"<br /><br /></span></div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"> </div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">Suddenly it was silent. Mom glanced around the room and humbly<br />said, "I am ashamed. We had forgotten the meaning of it all."</span></div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"> </div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">Then motioning to her son she said, "Come here. You were right.<br />The Littlest One was indeed the Biggest Gift of all!"</span> </div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"><span style="font-size:100%;">"I wish you enough!" </span></div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);" align="left"><span style=";font-size:100%;" >J </span></div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style=";font-size:100%;" >Bob Perks</span></div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> </div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> <div><span style=";font-size:100%;" > I encourage you to share my stories but<br />I do ask that you keep my name and contact<br />information with my work.<br /></span><div><span style="font-size:100%;">P.O. Box 1702 </span></div> <div><span style="font-size:100%;">Shavertown, Pa. 18708</span></div><span style="font-size:100%;"> Contact Bob <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://us.mc387.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=2believe@comcast.net"><span class="yshortcuts" id="lw_1291644194_12">2believe@comcast.net</span></a><br /></span><span style=";font-size:100%;" ><br /><br /></span></div></div> <div style="font-family: arial; font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span style=";font-size:100%;" > <div>"I Wish You enough!"<br /> 2001 Bob Perks</div> <div>I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.<br />I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.<br />I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.<br />I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear<br />much bigger.<br />I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.<br />I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.<br />I wish you enough "Hello's" to get you through the final "Goodbye."<br /></div></span></div>Paulissa Kipp Visual Artshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08140338186909239968noreply@blogger.com0