Dear Reader:

When I was going through the mail Sunday catching up from being gone last week….here was this wonderful thank you card from Gin-g. Gin-g’s birthday was January 31 and Honey’s is coming up on the fifth of March so Debbie and I split the birthday girls for lunch when we were at Kiawah the other Friday.

I loved the bright picture and the message. Isn’t it true that one nice comment or any gift of gratitude brightens a so-so day into a gloriously beautiful one. The weather didn’t change….we did ….by either giving or receiving a compliment or smile.

Recently I read that  medical research has shown that people who are grateful for life, in general, and spread that gratitude have less heart problems, issues with high blood pressure, cholesterol, and many other problems associated with stress.

The last time Eva Cate spent the night with me I pulled out some colored pencils for her to use so she wouldn’t get markers or other colors on the furniture. I brought her one of those little hand-held pencil sharpeners to use on the pencils. I discovered that Eva Cate was more enamored with sharpening the pencils than drawing. If we live long enough, archaic items like hand-held pencil sharpeners become really “cool” again.

I love this little parable about a pencil….a good lesson for us all.

“The Parable of the Pencil”

The Pencil Maker took the pencil aside, just before putting him into the box.
“There are 5 things you need to know,” he told the pencil, “Before I send you out into the world. Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best pencil you can be.”
“One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in Someone’s hand.”
“Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, but you’ll need it to become a better pencil.”
“Three: You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make.”
“Four: The most important part of you will always be what’s inside.”
“And Five: On every surface you are used on, you must leave your mark. No matter what the condition, you must continue to write.”
The pencil understood and promised to remember, and went into the box with purpose in its heart.
Now replacing the place of the pencil with you.  Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best person you can be.
One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in God’s hand. And allow other human beings to access you for the many gifts you possess.
Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, by going through various problems in life, but you’ll need it to become a stronger person.
Three: You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make. 

Four: The most important part of you will always be what’s on the inside.
And Five: On every surface you walk through, you must leave your mark. No matter what the situation, you must continue to do your duties.

……………………..

So until tomorrow….Let us always be open to lessons on life that we find along our journey….they are clues to the final spot that marks the X.

“Today is my favorite day”  Winnie the Pooh

• My cousins, Susan and Marcia, are arriving today to stay for a couple of days’  fun catch-up. We grew up like sisters before my family moved to Laurens when I started high school. So we have a lot of catching-up to do. Am so excited….even the rain won’t keep us down….let it pour as we tell stories galore!