One World Family Of Friends

ABC's For Life.....

i like your quotes Les and Kay.

Never Miss a Sunset

By Nancy Loucks-McSloy

The moment one gives close attention to any thing, even a blade of grass it becomes a mysterious, awesome, indescribably magnificent world in itself.
~Henry Miller

Growing up with the golden sands of Sauble Beach at my doorstep, I realize now how rich we really were. Fondly referred to as the "Daytona of Canada," Sauble Beach, Ontario is famous for its eleven kilometres of pure, golden, sugary sand, embracing the warm, clean waters of Lake Huron. When I visited my relatives in the "city," I envied their beautiful houses, their stylish clothes and even the cookies that came out of a bag instead of the oven! As I take a nostalgic look at the past I now know that what we had money could not buy.

We lived on a modest farm on Silver Lake Road, just a mile or so from "the beach." My parents had grown up during the Depression, so frugality was a way of life. On the other hand they were so generous and giving. My dad would grow a huge garden to feed us throughout the winter and there was always enough for the "city" relatives to come and visit and take fresh vegetables home.

We seldom went out for a fancy dinner or to a movie, but one thing that we did from the time the weather turned nice in the spring until the snow came and the lake froze over was to go to the beach. My father always said, "Never miss a sunset." In the early spring we would sit at the beach, watching the icebergs as they moved in and out, and of course watching for that beautiful sunset. As spring turned into summer, we would go to the beach and swim until it was time to watch the sunset. Summer would turn to autumn, when the evenings were chilly and the water would begin to get rough. As we watched the waves, listening to them hit the shore, we would wait for those last sunsets of the season, knowing that soon it would be winter and we would be waiting for spring to once again watch the sunset over the lake.

I grew up, married and moved away from the beauty of the lake and its breathtaking sunset. My parents retired and looked forward to summer when our children would spend summer holidays with them. Our children are now grown with children of their own, but they still talk about the days when Grandma and Grandpa would take them to the beach to swim and how Grandpa always said, "Never miss a sunset."

During his golden years, Dad would spend his time in the spring puttering around, making maple syrup and preparing to plant his garden. He would come back from the sugar bush in time for dinner and to take that short drive to watch the sunset. During the summer, he would work in his garden, or relax under the beautiful twin maple trees in the side yard. Evening would come and he would say to Mom, "We better go for an ice cream cone and eat it while we watch the sunset." Autumn was no exception. He still took that short jaunt to the lake shore most evenings.

Dad had lived there from birth; the only time he had been away from home was during World War II when he was in the army. He always said, "There is no place like home."

This post was modified from its original form on 06 Jan, 14:42

This post was modified from its original form on 06 Jan, 14:44

Hi Kay, That is a lovely and truly inspiring story. Sunsets at a beach are wonderful.

Kay all of what you have shared hear is simply put--beautiful and inspiring.

This thread is completely inspiring - thought this kiosk would fit well~

This Group has wonderful members contributing - just for the sake,....

As  I've aged, I've become kinder to myself, and  less critical of myself. I've become my own  friend.

I have seen too many dear friends  leave this world, too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with  aging.

Whose business is it, if I choose  to read, or play, on the computer, until 4 AM,  or sleep until noon? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 50, 60 &70's,  and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love, I will.

I will walk the beach,  in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging  body, and will dive into the waves, with  abandon, if I choose to, despite the pitying  glances from the jet set. They, too, will get  old.

I know I am sometimes forgetful. But  there again, some of life is just as well  forgotten. And, I eventually remember the  important things.

Sure, over the years,  my heart has been broken. How can your heart not  break, when you lose a loved one, or when a  child suffers, or even when somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But, broken hearts are  what give us strength, and understanding, and  compassion. A heart never broken, is pristine,  and sterile, and will never know the joy of  being imperfect.

I am so blessed to have  lived long enough to have my hair turning gray,  and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched  into deep grooves on my face. So many have never  laughed, and so many have died before their hair  could turn silver.

As you get older, it  is easier to be positive. You care less about  what other people think. I don't question myself  anymore. I've even earned the right to be  wrong.

So, to answer your question, I  like being old. It has set me free. I like the  person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or  worrying about what will be. And I shall eat  dessert every single day (if I feel like  it).

Our dear friend, Les has graciously given me permission to use a quote of his on a tag that I make. Thank you, Les, and here it is:

Nice Share for us all, Lynn G.,  You walk the talk! 

Have a good Friday All!!! & enjoy your weekend*

I feel that this needs no words.

Dont look back.....

As you travel through life, there are always those times
When decisions just have to be made;
When the choices are hard and solutions seem scarce,
And the rain seems to soak your parade.

There are some situations where all you can do
Is to simply let go and move on,
Gather courage together and choose a direction
That carries you toward a new dawn.

So pack up your troubles and take a step forward-
The process of change can be tough,
But think about all the excitement ahead,
If you can be stalwart enough.

There could be adventures you never imagined
Just waiting around the next bend -
And wishes and dreams just about to come true
In ways you can't yet comprehend.

Perhaps you'll find friendships that spring from new interests
As you challenge your status quo,
And you learn there are so many options in life
And so many ways you can grow.

Perhaps you'll go places you never expected
And see things you've never seen -
Or travel to fabulous far-away worlds
And wonderful spots in between.

Perhaps you'll find warmth and affection and caring -
A "somebody special" who's there
To help you stay centered and listen with interest
To stories and feelings you share.

Perhaps you'll find comfort in knowing your friends
Are supportive of all that you do -
And believe that whatever decisions you make,
They'll be the right choices for you.

So keep putting one foot in front of the other,
And taking your life day by day.
There's a brighter tomorrow that's just down the road,
Don't look back, you're not going that way.

Wonderfully inspirational posts, Kay dear. It's too bad that we don't know who wrote the beautiful ones by "unknown" I stand in awe of people who write from their hearts but don't put their names to their lovely thoughts.

I keep this poem on my desk and whenever I'm disheartened over something, I read it and I feel renewed strength. This also is an unknown author.

Gather
Gather together with women and men you love.
Sip tea together, walk in the woods together,
Talk and talk and talk, read aloud to each other,
Do absolutely nothing together. Revel in how your
Hair and your skin and your bodies and your stories
Are so different - and so utterly alike. Cook and
Eat together, stand beside the washing machine and
Cry and hug and wail together. And most assuredly,
Laugh together until your sides ache.

Receive
For once, stop giving, giving, giving to everyone
But yourself. Accept a compliment with grace.
Voice what you need - be it a hug, a moment of talk,
Food for your table, a loan of money - and know that
It will be provided. Loosen your white-knuckled,
Stressed-out grasp on life, and then let the palms of
Your hands fill to overflowing. Know that you deserve
All you receive, and remember to show your gratitude
For the sheer magnificence of a life lived well.

I enjoyed reading the above post Kay; it has so many good ideas and meanings to it that are worthwhile.

"Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds that you plant."

-Robert Louis Stevenson