my thoughts for the day

[dennis]

I grew up in the 60's with practical parents. A mother, God love her,
who washed aluminum foil after she cooked in it, then reused it. She was
the original recycle queen, before they had a Name for it. A father who was
happier getting old shoes fixed than buying new ones.

Their marriage was good, their dreams focused. Their best friends lived
barely a wave away. I can see them now, Dad in trousers, tee shirt and a
hat and Mom in a house dress, lawn mower in one hand, and dish-towel in the
other. It was the time for fixing things. A curtain rod, the kitchen radio,
screen door, the oven door, the hem in a dress. Things we keep.

It was a way of life, and sometimes it made me crazy. All that
re-fixing, eating, renewing, I wanted just once to be wasteful. Waste meant affluence.

Throwing things away meant you knew there'd always be more.

But then my grandmother died, and on that clear summer's night, in the
warmth of the hospital room, I was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn't any more.

Sometimes, what we care about most gets all used up and goes
away...never to return. So... While we have it.. it's best we love it.. And care for it... And fix it when it's broken... And heal it when it's sick.

This is true... For marriage.... And old cars... our plants... And children with bad report cards..... Dogs and cats with bad hips... And aging parents.... And grandparents. We keep them because they are worth it, because we are worth it.

Some things we keep. Like a best friend that moved away or a classmate
we grew up with...Orchid board friends..

There are just some things that make life important, like people we know
who are special...Places we visit like Orchid board.. And so, we keep them close!

make a friend smile today it will make your day and thiers great

my thoughts for the day

[Ross]

Thank you. Sounds like we are of the same (or similar) generation. My Dad still wears the same belt he wore when he was Boy Scout leader in the 50's and still wears the same pants he's had since the 70s. He gets one pair of shoes a year and has maybe 3 t-shirts he rotates as he wshes the dirty ones. He still eats a bowl of corn flakes (remember the days before sweetened cereals?) every morning. He lives in a retirement home and complains daily about the old people that live there (he's in his 80's) My dad had the first TV in our neighborhood (he worked at Wurlitzer in Niagara Falls) which got exactly 2 channels starting at 5PM and they both went off the air at 10PM.

A neighbor across the street brought over a present for my youngest grandson today - a styrofoam glider kit. He just wanted to give it to him! I worked with Louie (my grandson) to get it gliding straight. Couldn't do stuff like that when I had to work all day. Makes you appreciate the time you have here on this earth.

I really thank people like Dennis for starting threads like this that get me thinking. I sometimes forget all the good times and dwell on the not so good stuff (like the orchid that ain't doin so well ). I really appreciate this board and the folks that have been so willing to share with me their knowledge.

Now it's on to the next person to carry the torch.

[Dorothy]

Thank you Dennis for sharing your experience and wisedom. It has made me reflect on the ways I had grown up and how I hold onto things that need fixing .. most times the new stuff isn't as good (high quality) or breaks down that much faster. We are living in a day and age of throw away and having parents that were children of the depression I carry on those habits you mentioned.
Thank you Dennis .. you are special person I am honored to know
(and you never cease to amaze me )
and thanks to everyone at OB .. especially Marty who is always improving this site and does what he can to please as many as he can.
Good growing and great health to everyone here and your 'green' friends

[cb977]

What a great thread! Dennis, you are such a sweetie
My parents didn't have much as I was growing up...being an adult now, I realize just what sacrifices they made for us because as kids, we never thought we were missing anything! I grew up knowing that my parents were in love and they loved me and my two brothers more than anything in the world. They taught us the importance of respect and self-reliance. My dad is gone from us now but I still hear his voice in certain situations and it always brings a smile to my face.

The phrase that my Dad constantly used and still resonates today works in all situations:
"It's nice to be nice"...it's what it's all about

I know lots of people but not all of them are friends...I'm so happy to have "met" my friends here on OB

[justatypn]

Dennis we are so greatful that you bring out the thoughts in which so many have harbored within. Many times a day my past is present giving me a smile of knowing who I am and proud to be that person. We take so advantage of our present time but holding onto our past and cherishing it is what life is all about. Our frugal hearts are laughed upon, our "back in the day" ways are frowned upon by the latter born, but we are what we are no matter how old we are and lifes' ventures moves to the following generation and many thereafter. Our pasts are only memories, our present is what we make it and our future will only be brighter if we hold onto where we came from. Thank you Mom and Dad...bless you.

Dennis your the such a sweetheart...tk u

[Gin]

Beautiful post dennis .
My mom and dad married late in life . I can remember my dad laughing a lot. I was his little girl .
He was taken away at age 52 , I was 6 at the time , they had bought 5 acres and were planning on raising chickens he was in the process of building a small house to be used later as an egg room . There was no money to have it finished , my mom and I did it ,I got 10 cents a hole for making the holes in the cement floor with a star drill and hammer for the inside walls .
My mom worked hard patching burlap sacks for a cent and a half a sack in a room the 2 of us built .
We had no Tv .washer or fridge or phone for quite awhile . My first job was gathering eggs at a neighbors for $1.00 a week I was 7 .
We never had a lot except the love we had for each other and our 2 horses .
When I was able, I made her quit the sack job . She was my best friend ,we shared a lot of hard times , and good memories .
Love your parents, and friends while you can, in a heartbeat they might be gone . Gin

[Oscarman]

Simpler time in 1960's. Less rush, more courtesy. I guess we had parents that knew what hard times were and the value of things (including friendship). Mine were children of the war in England. Unaware they were doing it, many of their values were instilled in me.

Thank you Dennis for your thoughts, they made me reminisce about my family and then share a smile with some friends.

I hope everyone has a great day!

[dennis]

Love your parents, and friends while you can, in a heartbeat they might be gone . Gin

something we alll should live by. I lost a friend today you just never know when they will be gone.

[cb977]

Dennis, I'm so sorry to hear the news
Your friends here will be thinking of you and your family.

[Dorothy]

Dennis, my deepest condolescenes.
Loss is difficult to deal with and
my heart goes out to you.
It is good appreciating the people that we do have and remembering those that are no longer with us in warmth, goodness and joy.