THE ROSE

The first day of school our professor introduced himself and challenged us to get to know someone we didn't already know. I stood up to look around when a gentle hand touched my shoulder.

I turned around to find a wrinkled, little old lady beaming up at me with a smile that lit up her entire being..

She said, 'Hi handsome. My name is Rose. I'm eighty-seven years old. Can I give you a hug?'

I laughed and enthusiastically responded, 'Of course you may!' and she gave me a giant squeeze..

'Why are you in college at such a young, innocent age?' I asked.

She jokingly replied, 'I'm here to meet a rich husband, get married, and have a couple of kids...'

'No seriously,' I asked. I was curious what may have motivated her to be taking on this challenge at her age.

'I always dreamed of having a college education and now I'm getting one!' she told me.

After class we walked to the student union building and shared a chocolate milkshake.

We became instant friends. Every day for the next three months we would leave class together and talk nonstop. I was always mesmerized listening to this 'time machine' as she shared her wisdom and experience with me..

Over the course of the year, Rose became a campus icon and she easily made friends wherever she went. She loved to dress up and she reveled in the attention bestowed upon her from the other students. She was living it up.

At the end of the semester we invited Rose to speak at our football banquet. I'll never forget what she taught us. She was introduced and stepped up to the podium. As she began to deliver her prepared speech, she dropped her three by five cards on the floor.

Frustrated and a little embarrassed she leaned into the microphone and simply said, 'I'm sorry I'm so jittery. I gave up beer for Lent and this whiskey is killing me! I'll never get my speech back in order so let me just tell you what I know.'

As we laughed she cleared her throat and began, ' We do not stop playing because we are old; we grow old because we stop playing.

There are only four secrets to staying young, being happy, and achieving success. You have to laugh and find humor every day. You've got to have a dream. When you lose your dreams, you die.

We have so many people walking around who are dead and don't even know it!

There is a huge difference between growing older and growing up.

If you are nineteen years old and lie in bed for one full year and don't do one productive thing, you will turn twenty years old. If I am eighty-seven years old and stay in bed for a year and never do anything I will turn eighty-eight.

Anybody! Can grow older. That doesn't take any talent or ability. The idea is to grow up by always finding opportunity in change. Have no regrets.

The elderly usually don't have regrets for what we did, but rather for things we did not do. The only people who fear death are those with regrets.

.' She concluded her speech by courageously singing 'The Rose.'

She challenged each of us to study the lyrics and live them out in our daily lives. At the year's end Rose finished the college degree she had begun all those months ago.

One week after graduation Rose died peacefully in her sleep.

Over two thousand college students attended her funeral in tribute to the wonderful woman who taught by example that it's never too late to be all you can possibly be.


These words have been passed along in loving memory of ROSE.

REMEMBER, GROWING OLDER IS MANDATORY. GROWING UP IS OPTIONAL.

We make a Living by what we get. We make a Life by what we give.

God promises a safe landing, not a calm passage.

If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.

'Good friends are like stars..... .....You don't always see them, but you know they are always there.'

My Mother

On this Mothers' Day 2010 I am reposting a blog I did about my mother on April 14, 2007 just a few months after beginning this Penless Writer blog. I am so thankful for my mother and the upbringing she gave me and the many things she taught me. If you still have your mother with you today Honor her that you may have long life, as The Word tells us.

************

This 1925 picture is of 5 generations. My mother, her daughter, Marion, her father, A.T. Dickey, her grandfather, and her great-grandmother.

This is a tribute to my lovely Mother, Pauline Dickey Banta Errett. I'm not exactly sure what age she was in this picture but you can see she was quite young and very beautiful.

I am one of those fortunate people who was blessed with wonderful parents. I have written about being a daddy's girl, and that I was, but I also loved my mother dearly.


My mother was born July 2, 1906 in Belgrade, MO., the eldest of seven children of Arthur Theodore & Mable Dickey. She had 4 younger sisters, and 2 younger brother.
At the age of 17 1/2, on December 22, 1923, she married Cyrus N. Banta. Her first child, my sister Marion, was born on July 13, 1925, just 9 days after her 19th birthday.

I don't know the exact date, but my mother became a very young widow raising a young daughter during the years of the Great Depression. I do know that she worked, and traveled, as a Nannie for a very wealthy family from St. Louis, MO. My mother never talked much about it, but one of my aunts told me how much my mother helped them by being in a position to supply them with food and some money during that time.

My mother married my father, Henry Harrison (H.H.) Errett, on September 19, 1935. He would be 50 years old 4 days later on September 23rd, she was 29 years old, and my sister, Marion, was 10 years old. I came into the story 2 years later on December 25, 1937.

My mother had "spunk"!! One of the tales they tell about her was during those 2 years before my birth they were living in Brownsville, TX. My father had purchased a small rental unit. One of the units was occupied by a man who "hit the bottle" (nice way for saying was a drunkard) and had not paid his rent for several months. My father was unsuccessful, no matter what he said, to extract the rental payments from this man. The day my parents were packing up to leave to move to New Mexico they were loading things onto a trailer. My father had an old rusty gun (my mother says there was no way it would have fired) laying there. My mother picked up the gun, to place it in the trailer. She said this "bottle hitter" was standing there watching them and it made her so angry she whirled around to "give him a piece of her mind since they were leaving anyway". Apparently when she whirled around the gun pointed at him and he immediately said, "Okay, okay here's your money!" and promptly paid the entire amount he owed them. I guess he was afraid this 31 year old woman was going to shoot him!!!!

In 1950, my parents had an order in with GM for a new Chevrolet. After the war it was difficult getting a new car. They had waited several months with no results but were seeing other people in Santa Fe, who had placed their orders after my parents, getting their new Chevy. My mother was getting very upset about this and proceeded to write the President of GM complaining and pointing out the apparent "favoritism" being played to those with more money. Sort of hinting that maybe some money was changing hands under the table? We had our brand new 1950 Bel Air Chevy that very week. Boy was it nice, pretty and fancy! Like I say, she was a woman of "spunk".

She was a woman of great GRACE and STYLE. She loved shoes and matching purses and had LOTS of them. She always had shoes & purse in the color to match what ever outfit she was wearing. Because she had only one pair of shoes as a kid she always wanted to have a bunch of them. She did!! She ALWAYS looked nice. Clear up until her death she would daily dress neatly, style her hair and put on a little make-up and lipstick. You could have dropped in on her at any minute of the day and she would have looked nice enough to go out anywhere with you, or welcome any guest to her home.

She was a very INDUSTRIOUS and GENEROUS woman. She kept an immaculate HOME (not a house) and would whip up a wonderful meal for you on the spot, if you dropped in unexpectedly, from just what was on her shelves. She always had dinner waiting for my father and I when we'd come in each evening from school and work. She made a lot of my sister and my clothes, although there was always the BIG, once a year, shopping trip to Albuquerque to buy new school clothes. She made several dresses for my forever friend, Joan. For Christmas one year she made Marion and I each 3 authentic matching squaw dresses.

She was a woman of INTEGRITY. I remember occasions, when a sales clerk had given her too much change. As soon as she realized it she would load me up and we would go back to return the money. She was a woman of her WORD and you could always count on her keeping her promises and doing what she had committed to.

She was a woman who stayed INTERESTED in life and what was going on. She was an avid cross-word puzzle worker. She could talk baseball and football with the best of them and watched many of the games. She was a good and faithful friend. I could go on and on about her many qualities.

One of the things I admire the most about her is, after living in Santa Fe for over 35 years, after my father died she was willing to pull up stakes, sell her home, leave her beloved Church, leave all her friends and move to Tulsa, OK to be near us. She then proceeded to become just as involved and interested here. Became a very central figure in our lives and family, made new friends, joined her Church and lived happy fulfilling years.

In 1982, as her health was starting to fail, my wonderful husband converted our 2 car garage into a separate apartment for her. She had a living room with bay window and it's own private entrance, a small kitchenette, a large bedroom with walk-in closet and a full bath. It also had an entrance directly into our house. It was a perfect living arrangement where we each had our privacy but yet she was a very integral part of our lives and family. In March of 1985, as her health was really failing, she wanted to return to New Mexico. We rented our Tulsa home and moved her, us and our 14 year old son, Marc (the other 3 older kids were grown) to Albuquerque. My sister proceeded her in death by 5 months and 6 days. My mother grieved terribly over that. She died on May 27, 1986 just 45 days before her 80th birthday.

My mother was a very strict disciplinarian. At times growing up I felt she was too strict and harsh on me. It was not until I became an adult that I realized a great deal of this was to offset my father's tendency to spoil and over indulge me. She loved me enough to not allow me to grow up a spoiled brat!!

I am who I am today because of my wonderful parents.

I am SOOO thankful for all they taught me and I miss them.

This I know, We will all be united some day!

One Flaw In Women

Women have strengths that amaze men

They bear hardships and they carry burdens, but they hold happiness, love and joy.

They smile when they want to scream.

They sing when they want to cry.

They cry when they are happy and laugh when they are nervous.

They fight for what they believe in.

They stand up to injustice.

They don't take "no" for an answer when they believe there is a better solution.

They go without so their family can have.

They go to the doctor with a frightened friend.

They love unconditionally.

They cry when their children excel and cheer when their friends get awards.

They are happy when they hear about a birth or a wedding.

Their hearts break when a friend dies.

They grieve at the loss of a family member, yet they are strong when they think there is no strength left.

They know that a hug and a kiss can heal a broken heart.

Women come in all shapes, sizes and colors.

They'll drive, fly, walk, run or e-mail you to show how much they care about you.

The heart of a woman is what makes the world keep turning.
They bring joy, hope and love.

They have the compassion and ideas.

They give moral support to their family and friends.

Women have vital things to say and everything to give.

HOWEVER, IF THERE IS ONE FLAW IN WOMEN,

IT IS THAT THEY FORGET THEIR WORTH.

Added footnote: Several have commented about the picture. It is just a picture that came with this writing. It is not us or anyone I know. Just wanted to make sure everyone understood that.

This Facinating World of Blog

On January 31st I posted my first blog. I had been following my friend, Kahri's blog for about a year. She knew I kept up with her, on a daily basis with it so I didn't have to disturb her with a phone call. I never left a comment. I didn't know I was allowed to. I never asked but I just surmised that you only left a comment if you had a blog, too. Wrong.....for all you lurkers out there, that read the various blogs, we would love for you to leave us a comment.

When I started my thoughts were "No one is going to care one bit what a gray headed 69 year old grandmother has to say:". During the year of reading Kahri and her friends blot I just knew that everyone blogging was basically a SAHM in their 20's or 30's. Wrong again. I have found this blogging world to be full or all ages, all shapes, all sizes, both genders, and certainly every opinion under the sun. THAT is what to me is so wonderful.

Blogging has offered me so much. Now that I try and think about it I can't even remember what I really thought it was going to offer me. I guess I thought of it as my own personal journal, but in the form of a blog that maybe my children would read and learn a little more about me. As so often in life,we don't get what we expect; my children do not seem to be very interested in my little blog at all. Conversely in life, we get so much MORE that we can hope and think. "Now unto him that is able to do exceedinging abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us." Ephesians 3:20

#1 - I have made so many new friends. That feature about it never entered my mind and yet it is such a big blessing.

#2 YOU have allowed me to "see" and visit so many beautiful and wonderful places through the wonderful and beautiful photography that many of you post.


#3 - YOU have given me an "insiders" view of other areas of the world we live in. Showing me both the good and the bad but most importantly the real.

#4 - YOU have made me think and hopefully expand my thinking.

#5 - YOU have made me laugh and smile and enjoy real wholesome humor.

#6 - YOU have made me cry, along with you, in your pain and confusion.

#7 - YOU have opened your hearts and your minds and let me voice my opinion and even shared your thoughts and comments with me.

#8-One of the most astounding things has been how far reaching our blogs are. It absolutely blows my mind that my little blog has "ventured" into 20 foreign countries. How mind boggling is that!!! I've often wondered if I've actually reached all 50 of our great United States.

#9 - It's so interesting to me how very diverse we are, and yet within that diversity so very much alike.

#10 - Most importantly I want to close by saying: You have shared your hearts and yourselves with me and for that I THANK YOU!!!!

I Was Tagged

i WAS TAGGED ON sUNDAY BY Candy, OF cANDY & rOSES, AND ON sATURDAY (ALTHOUGH i WASN'T INFORMED UNTIL THIS MORNING) BY Connie, OF cONNIE'S tHOUGHTS fROM THE hEART, FOR THE Thinking bLOG aWARD.

i AM SUPPOSE TO PASTE A Thinking Blog Award picture HERE BUT i DON'T KNOW HOW SO THIS WILL HAVE TO SUFFICE. gOES TO SHOW i DO A LOT OF "Thinking" BUT NOT REAL GOOD AT "figuring out" ALL THESE BLOGGING TRICKS.

i FIND THIS AWARD ITSELF TO BE SO INTERESTING. tHE REASON BEING BECAUSE IT IS, IN EFFECT, JUST ANOTHER mEME. bY THE WAY, CAN anyone GIVE ME THE DEFINITION OF mEME? i HEARD SOMEONE ELSE ASK THAT SAME THING. i, BEING NEW TO THIS GAME OF BLOGGING, THOUGHT IT STOOD FOR "It's all about ME". Then someone else said, "That's not what it means", but I still don't know what it means. To me it appears to be just a chain letter, of pyramid type thing.

I looked back this morning and I have posted 54 blogs since beginning this adventure on January 21st. Of those 54 blogs 5 have been Meme's and all were posted during the month of March. That is significant because March is when I've been so occupied, and pre-occupied, with scanning a lifetime of photos. The reason I posted these 5 Meme's is because I was busy, and didn't have the time or the desire to take the time to 'THINK". It is easy to answer questions like those because it's all about ME!!!! I must say, I TOTALLY ENJOY READING OTHER PEOPLES MEME"s because it gives me a little insight into some of the people I find interesting, amusing, funny, and some who make me think. I don't know about you, but the blogs I choose to read on a pretty consistent basis fall into these categories.

Now for my list of 5.

My first has to be Kahri who writes under The Lynn Family Blog: Our Peculiar Life. Kahri is a young woman who, along with her husband, Michael, gave us the privilege of walking, and praying, through a VERY difficult time in their lives when they were told their new born baby girl, Kaedra, would not live. Kaedy spent 11 months in the hospital but is one of the most adorable 2 and a half year olds you'd ever want to see. She still has a few issues but she is truly OUR MIRACLE BABY!!! Kahri is literally the one who introduced me to blogging. Before she came into my life I'd never even heard the word. Wutgiyt Kahri there would be no Penless Writer!!!!

My next choice is Marallyn who writes under Shalom from Jerusalem. I cannot tell you how happy I am to have contact with her. I have a great love for my Jewish brothers and sisters and am FU::Y aware I am a branch grafted into their tree. . Marallyn is a gifted writer and is teaching me much. I thank you Marallyn.

My third choice is Susie , A Pink Carnation, and truly a flower in my bouquet of blogging friends.. You must go and read her "My Titles Story" on her side bar. If that doesn't move you, you must be made of stone.

My fourth choice is Liana, A Transformed Woman. I just recently "met" Liana through Susie who posted her link and said "check it out". I did and have been so blessed. This young wife and mother is living in China and really GETS it. She doesn't blog a lot, but I check her every day because when she does she has soooo much depth.

My fifth choice is ONLY YOU KNOW!!!! This is that lurker out there who has not yet taken that step of first commenting and then jumping into the blogging world. I, for one, WANT to know what you're thinking and have to say. I, for one, am EAGER to "met" you and get to "know" you.

To my dearest and best, Ginger & Leigh Ann...Candy beat me to you Leigh Ann!!! And you, Leigh Ann, beat me to Ginger!!! You both know my thought toward you and that I begin,, and usually end, each blogging day checking into what marvelous thoughts you've posted.

To all of you who blog and post so I can read and be blessed and to you who come by to read my thoughts I just say 'THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART".

Now you 5 must go here to see the rules & nominate 5 of your choice. Happy picking!

HAPPY RISEN LORD'S DAY

I, like I'm sure all of you, have spent the last few days really reflecting on my LORD and SAVIOR, JESUS the CHRIST,. What an awesome thing to call HIM not only SAVIOR but LORD, and to have HIM call me HIS child. That blows my mind still today after being HIS child for all these years.

As we (I) meditate, these last few days, on ALL that HIS BLOOD purchased for us (me), my most fervent PRAYER is that not one stripe, not one spit, not one cursing, will have been in vain on my behalf. That I might live up to EVERYTHING that HIS PRECIOUS BLOOD purchased for me. Not only in the life to come but here and now, TODAY!!! My greatest hope and desire is to hear HIM say, "Well done".

My wish, for each and every one of you that pass by this little tribute of mine to MY RISEN LORD and MASTER, is that you know and experience HIS LOVE and FORGIVENESS for you.

HE truly PAID IT ALL, once and for all.

I wish all of you a WONDERFUL, BLESSED, HAPPY RISEN LORD'S DAY.