IN MEMORY OF MOM AND DAD

~A TRIBUTE TO MY MOTHER~

~MOTHER-THE BEAUTIFUL CREATURE~

~At the dawn of every life,
at the birth of every child,
there is always a joyous thought
that brings memories of care,
affection and also pains and anxiety,
but all add up to a poem of Love.~

~Every human being carries with him
or her the seal of this Love
and remembers the maternal tenderness
which is very hard to remove
from the heart.~

~Over the years, even when our hair turns gray,
there remains the distant memories and
the strong desire to see once again Her,
who carries the affectionate name of Mother.
Her name is a fountain of peaceful
thoughts, generosity,
serenity and Love.~

~We always talk nice about our Mother
and we always speak highly of her merits
and good guidance and when She is gone,
a vail of sadness surrounds our hearts.~

~There is a legend that says that
since God could not be physically present
amongst all His people at all times,
he created Mothers to take His place.
Looking at the smile on the face
of a Mother as she looks at her baby
explains it very clearly.~

~If we look at Nature we see so much beauty:
the People, the Mountains, the Oceans,
Rivers, Trees, the Flowers,
Stars and the Birds....

~But the Sun doesn't shine on anyone
more beautiful than you, MOTHER!
Thanks for filling this world with
so much genuine love.~

Author Unknown

~WHY MOTHERS CRY~

~"Why are you crying?"
he asked his mom.~

~"Because I'm a mother,"
she told him.
"I don't understand," he said.
His mom just hugged him and said,
"You never will!"~

~Later the little boy asked his father "All mothers cry for no reason",
was all his dad could say.~

~The little boy grew up and
became a man, still wondering why
mothers cry. So he finally put in
a call to God and
when God got on the phone
the man said,
"God, why do mothers cry so easily?."~

~God said,
"You see son, when I made mothers
they had to be special.
I made their shoulders strong
enough to carry the weight of the world,
yet gentle enough to give comfort.
I gave them and inner strength to
endure childbirth and rejection
that many times comes from children."~

~"I gave them hardiness that allows
them to keep going when everyone else gives up,
and to take care of their families
through sickness and fatigue
without complaining."~

~"I gave them the sensitivity
to love their children under all circumstances,
even when their child has hurt
them very badly."~

~"This same sensitivity helps them
to make a child's boo-boo feel better
and helps them share a teenager's
anxieties and fears."~

~"I gave them a tear to shed.
It's theirs exclusively to
use whenever it's needed.
It's their only weakness.
It's a tear for mankind."~

~Author Unknown~

~THE MEANEST MOTHER IN THE WORLD~

~I had the meanest mother in the whole world. While other kids ate candy for breakfast, I had to have cereal, eggs or toast. When others had cokes and candy for lunch, I had to eat a sandwich. As you can guess, my supper was different than the other kids' also. But at least, I wasn't alone in my sufferings. My sister and two brothers had the same mean mother as I did.~

~My mother insisted upon knowing where we were at all times. You'd think we were on a chain gang. She had to know who our friends were and where we were going. She insisted if we said we'd be gone an hour, that we be gone one hour or less--not one hour and one minute.~

~I am nearly ashamed to admit it, but she actually struck us. Not once, but each time we had a mind of our own and did as we pleased. That poor belt was used more on our seats than it was to hold up Daddy's pants. Can you imagine someone actualy hitting a child just because he disobeyed? Now you can begin to see how mean she really was.~

~We had to wear clean clothes and take a bath. The other kids always wore their clothes for days. We reached the height of insults because she made our clothes herself, just to save money. Why, oh why, did we have to have a mother who made us feel different from our friends?~

~The worst is yet to come. We had to be in bed by nine each night and up at eight the next morning. We couldn't sleep till noon like our friends. So while they slept-my mother actually had the nerve to break the child-labor law. She made us work. We had to wash dishes, make beds, learn to cook and all sorts of cruel things. I believe she laid awake at night thinking up mean things to do to us.~

~She always insisted upon us telling the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, even if it killed us- and it nearly did.~

~By the time we were teen-agers, she was much wiser, and our life became even more unbearable. None of this tooting the horn of a car for us to come running. She embarrassed us to no end by making our dates and friends come to the door to get us.~

~If I spent the night with a girlfriend, can you imagine she checked on me to see if I were really there. I never had the chance to elope to Mexico. That is if I'd had a boyfriend to elope with.~

~I forgot to mention, while my friends were dating at the mature age of 12 and 13, my old fashioned mother refused to let me date until the age of 15 and 16. Fifteen, that is, if you dated only to go to a school function. And that was maybe twice a year.~

~Through the years, things didn't improve a bit. We could not lie in bed, "sick" like our friends did, and miss school. If our friends had a toe ache, a hang nail or serious ailment, they could stay home from school.~

~Our marks in school had to be up to par. Our friends' report cards had beautiful colors on them, black for passing, red for failing. My mother being as different as she was, would settle for nothing less than ugly black marks.~

~As the years rolled by, first one and then the other of us was put to shame. We were graduated from high school. With our mother behind us, talking, hitting and demanding respect, none of us was allowed the pleasure of being a drop-out.~

~My mother was a complete failure as a mother. Out of four children, a couple of us attained some higher education. None of us have ever been arrested, divorced or beaten his mate. Each of my brothers served his time in the service of this country.~

~And whom do we have to blame for the terrible way we turned out? You're right, our mean mother. Look at the things we missed. We never got to march in a protest parade, nor to take part in a riot, burn draft cards, and a million and one other things that our friends did. She forced us to grow up into God-fearing, educated, honest adults.~

~Using this as a background, I am trying to raise my three children. I stand a little taller and I am filled with pride when my children call me mean. Because, you see, I thank God, He gave me the meanest mother in the whole world.~

written by Bobbie Pingaro (1967)
~I wrote it in 1967. It was first published in the, Our Sunday Visitor, a Catholic weekly newspaper and again in Guideposts, a magazine by Dr. Norman Vincent Peale. It has a copyright. I do not mind that you use it on your web page, as long as it is non-profit, that you use the original copy and use my name as author. Bobbie Pingaro~

~Things Mothers Learn~

~I gave you life, but cannot live it for you.~

~I can give you directions, but I cannot be there to lead you.~

~I can allow you freedom, but I cannot account for it.~

~I can teach you right from wrong, but I cannot decide for you.~

~I can offer you advice, but I cannot accept it for you.~

~I can give you love, but I cannot force it upon you.~

~I can teach you to share, but I cannot make you unselfish.~

~I can teach you respect, but I cannot force you to show honor.~

~I can advise you about friends, but cannot choose them for you.~

~I can advise you about sex, but I cannot keep you pure.~

~I can tell you about drink, but I can't say "no" for you.~

~I can warn you about drugs, but I can't prevent you from using them.~

~I can tell you about lofty goals, but I can't achieve them for you.~

~I can teach you about kindness, but I can't force you to be gracious.~

~I can pray for you, but I cannot make you walk with God.~

~I can tell you how to live, but I cannot give you eternal life.~

~Author Unknown~

~God's Garden~

~God looked around his garden And found an empty place. He then looked down upon the Earth, And saw your tired face.~

~He put His arms around you, And lifted you to rest. God's Garden must be beautiful, He always takes the best.~

~He knew you were suffering, He knew that you were in pain. He knew that you would never Get well on Earth again.~

~He saw the road was getting rough, And the hills were hard to climb, So He closed your weary eyelids, And whispered "Peace be thine."~

~It broke our hearts to lose you, But you didn't go alone, For part of us went with you, The day God called you home.~

~Author Unknown~

~LETTER FROM HEAVEN~

~To my dearest family, some things I's like to say.
But first of all, to let you know, that I arrived okay.
I'm writing this from heaven. Here I dwell with God above.
Here, there's no more tears of sadness; Here is just eternal love.~

~Please do not be unhappy just because I'm out of sight.
Remember that I am with you every morning, noon and night.
That day I had to leave you when my life on earth was through.
God picked me up and hugged me and He said, "I welcome you."~

~It's good to have you back again, you were missed while you were gone. As for your dearest family, They'll be here later on.~

~There's so much that we have to do, to help our mortal man."~

~God gave me a list of things, that he wished for me to do. And foremost on the list, was to watch and care for you.~

~And when you lie in bed at night the day's chores put to flight. God and I are closest to you....in the middle of the night.~

~When you think of my life on earth, and all those loving years. Because you are only human, they are bound to bring you tears.~

~But do not be afraid to cry: it does relieve the pain. Remember there would be no flowers, unless there was some rain.~

~I wish that I could tell you all that God has planned.
If I were to tell you, you wouldn't understand.
But one thing is for certain, though my life on earth is
o'r. I'm closer to you now, than I ever was before.
There are many rocky roads ahead of you and many hills to
climb; But togather we can do it by taking one day at a time.
It was always my philosophy and I'd like it for you too;
That as you give unto the world, the world will give to
you.~

~If you can help sombody who's in sorrow and pain;
Then you can say to God at night......"My day was not in
vain."~

~And now I am contented....that my life was worthwhile.
Knowing as I passed along the way I made somebody smile.
So if you meet somebody who is sad and feeling low;
Just lend a hand to pick him up, as on your way you go.~

~When you'r walking down the street and you've got Me on
your mind; I'm walking in your footsteps only half a step
behind.~

~And when it's time for you to go....from that body to be
free. Remember you'r not going....you're comming here to Me.~

~
~"Perhaps my time seems all to brief;
Don't lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your heart and share with me,
God wanted me now, He set me free."~

~Mom gave me a Bible when I went in the navy at 16, in it she wrote, "This book will keep you from sin, and sin will keep you from this book." How right she was.~ Lloyd

~A TRIBUTE TO MY FATHER~
F...is for the faith you showed when
mine was not so strong, A...is for the Acceptance you had when I
was oh so wrong.

T...is for the Tender love you gave when
I showed so little to you,

H...is for the Healing you brought when
mine was broken in two.

E...is for the Enjoyment for life you
shared when I was to tired to care.

R...is for the Relationship you built when
I was unable to share.

Pa...thank you for being a father to me...loving me...
and being my friend...I Love You so very much...
some day I'll see you again...your loving son...
and "little boy."

By Larry J. Huisingh

~WHAT MAKES A DAD~
~God took the strength of a mountain,
The majesty of a tree.
The warmth of a summer sun,
The calm of a quiet sea.
The generous soul of nature,
The comforting arm of night.
The wisdom of the ages,
The power of the eagle's flight.
The joy of a morning in spring,
The faith of a mustard seed.
The patience of eternity,
The depth of a family need.
Then God combined these qualities,
When there was nothing more to add.
He knew His masterpiece was complete,
And so, He called it...Dad.~

Author Unknown

~MY FATHER~
When I was Four years old: My daddy can do anything.
When I was Five years old: My daddy knows a whole lot.
When I was Six years old: My dad is smarter thab your dad.
When I was Eight years old: My dad doesn't know exactly everything.
When I was 10 years old: In the olden days, when my dad grew up, things were sure different.
When I was 12 years old: Oh, well, naturally, Dad doesn't know anything about that. He is too old to remember his childhood.
When I was 14 years old: Don't pay any attention to my dad. He is so old-fashioned.
When I was 21 years old: Him? My Lord, he's hopelessly out of date.
When I was 25 years old: Dad knows about it, but he should, because he has been around so long.
When I was 30 years old: Maybe we should ask Dad what he thinks. After all, he's had a lot of experience.
When I was 35 years old: I'm not doing a single thing until I talk to Dad.
When I was 40 years old: I wonder how Dad would have handled it. He was so wise.
When I was 50 years old: I'd give anything if Dad were here now so I could talk this over with him. Too bad I didn't appreciate how smart he was. I could have learned a lot from him.

Ann Landers

~WALK A LITTLE PLAINER, DADDY~
~Walk a little plainer, Daddy
Said a little boy one day.
I'm following in your footsteps.
And I want to know the way.
Sometimes your steps are very plain
And sometimes hard to see.
So walk a little plainer, Daddy,
For you are leading me.~

~I know that once you walked
This way, Many years ago,
And what you did along the way
I'd really like to know.
For sometimes I am tempted
And don't know what to do
So walk a little plainer, Daddy,
For I must follow you.~

~Sometime when I am all grown up
You are like I want to be
Then I will know a little boy,
Who will want to follow me.
And I would want to lead him right,
And help him to be true.
So walk a little plainer, Daddy
For we must follow you.~

Author Unknown

~"COME WITH ME"~
~God saw he was getting tired, and a cure was not to be.
So he put his arms around him and wispered
"Come with me."~

~With tearful eyes we watched him suffer
and saw him fade away.~

~Although we loved him dearly,
We could not make him stay.~

~A golden heart stopped beating,
Hardworking hands to rest;~

~God broke our hearts to prove to us
He only takes the best.`

Author Unknown

~WHEN TOMORROW STARTS WITHOUT ME~

~When tomorrow starts without me, and I'm not there to see; If the sun should rise and find your eyes all filled with tears for me; I wish so much you wouldn't cry the way you did today, while thinking of the many things we didn't get to say.~

~I know how much you love me, as much as I love you, and each time you think of me I know you'll miss me too; But when tomorrow starts without me, please try to understand, that an angel came and called my name and took me by the hand, and said my place was ready in heaven far above, and that I'd have to leave behind all those I dearly love.~

~But as I turned to walk away, a tear fell from my eye, for all my life,I'd always thought.. I didn't want to die. I had so much to live for and so much yet to do, it seemed almost impossible that I was leaving you.~

~I thought of all the yesterdays, the good ones and the bad, I thought of all the love we shared and all the fun we had. If I could relive yesterday, I thought, just for awhile, I'd say goodbye and kiss you and maybe see you smile. But then I fully realized that this could never be, for emptiness and memories would take the place of me.~

~And when I thought of worldly things that I would miss tomorrow, I thought of you, and when I did, my heart was filled with sorrow. But when I walked through heaven's gates, I felt so much at home. When God looked down and smiled at me, from His great golden throne, He said, "This is eternity and all I've promised you".~

~Today for life on earth is past but here it starts anew. I promise no tomorrow, but today will always last, and since each day's the same day, there's no longing for the past. But you have been so faithful, so trusting, and so true. Though there were times you did some things you knew you shouldn't do.~

~But you have been forgiven and now at last you're free. So won't you take my hand and share my life with me? So when tomorrow starts without me, don't think we're far apart, for every time you think of me, I'm right here in your heart.~

~Author Unknown~

~FOOTPRINTS IN THE SAND~

~He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord.
Across the sky flashed scenes from his life.
For each scene he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand;
one belonged to him, and the other to the Lord.

When the last scene of his life flashed before him,
He looked back at the footprints in the sand.
He noticed that many times along the path of his life
There was only one set of footprints.

He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest
And saddest times in his life.
This really bothered him and he questioned the Lord about it.

"Lord, you said that once I decided to follow you,
You'd walk with me all the way.
But I have noticed that at the worst times in my life,
there is only one set of footprints.
How could you leave me when I needed you the most?"

The Lord replied " My precious, precious child,
I love you and would never leave you.
During your times of suffering
And when you see only one set of footprints,
It was then that I carried you."~

~Author Unknown~

This is the first thing I remember Dad teaching me.