The “Unity” in Community

Posted on September 25, 2019 by Becky Dingle

Dear Reader:

How can I even begin to thank all of you for your cards, comments, texts, Facebook Happy Birthday greetings…I felt like Queen for the Day! Joan Turner had attached this picture (above) to her birthday greeting and I loved all the vibrant colors in it…thanks Joan!

Brooke came over and we had the best time “hanging” on the deck before going to Oscars. There were so many different colorful gorgeous decorations inside and we got our favorite waiter, Kevlin. Delicious lunch and our special free birthday dessert!

 

When I got home more gifts and flowers were on the porch…the day just overflowed with generosity and kindness. As our world grows smaller in direct correlation to expanding technological communication…the importance of kindness and acceptance of diverse cultures and customs becomes even more important to all of our dreams of a fulfilled and secure life here on earth.

“Kindness serves as a bond and glue that reminds us of our unity (and commUNITY).” – Ameeta

 

Now beside having a legacy for the grandchildren through their Japanese Maples …Brooke gave me a Southern Living “October Magic” Camellia Bush named “Inspiration.”  It will always remind me of the day it was planted on my 70th birthday.

 

After Brooke left…Who showed up unexpectedly? ….Michael Salvo, my wonderful firefighter/ lawn maintenance extraordinare to make my garden and grass glow. He  immediately said he would be glad to  plant the camellia bush for me…’Ask and you shall receive.‘ *Thank you Michael for always going the extra mile for me.’

Anne went to the letter “M” for her  fall favorite words and here is what she came up with:

Maine foliage, Moose, Mother Nature, Moon Pies (love them!) Monarchs, Marvelous weather, Mild humidity, Monsters and Mummys…..:)

I love this first stanza from John O’Donohue’s “For Your Birthday”

Blessed be the mind that dreamed the day
The blueprint of your life
Would begin to glow on earth,
Illuminating all the faces and voices
That would arrive to invite
Your soul to growth. 

*Let me pause right now and thank all of you readers, family, and friends for “inviting my soul to grow” because of your kindness and love.

*Ben also had good news…nothing serious showed up on the tests… a medication change and he was released yesterday and ready to catch up on a lot of lost sleep for the nights in the hospital. A big relief. Thank you for your prayers.

So until tomorrow….

“THE WORLD IS NOW TOO SMALL FOR ANYTHING BUT BROTHERHOOD.” – ARTHUR POWELL DAVIES

Let us always continue to “gather together” and make our world open to new opportunities of friendships.

 

BOO!

 

 

Happy Birthday Jake….best gift ever on our birthday!

 

 

About Becky Dingle

I was born a Tarheel but ended up a Sandlapper. My grandparents were cotton farmers in Laurens, South Carolina and it was in my grandmother’s house that my love of storytelling began beside an old Franklin stove. When I graduated from Laurens High School, I attended Erskine College (Due West of what?) and would later get my Masters Degree in Education/Social Studies from Charleston Southern. I am presently an adjunct professor/clinical supervisor at CSU and have also taught at the College of Charleston. For 28 years I taught Social Studies through storytelling. My philosophy matched Rudyard Kipling’s quote: “If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.” Today I still spread this message through workshops and presentations throughout the state. The secret of success in teaching social studies is always in the story. I want to keep learning and being surprised by life…it is the greatest teacher. Like Kermit said, “When you’re green you grow, when you’re ripe you rot.”
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