Winning Words 1/3/13
“Absence makes the heart grow fonder, but it sure makes the rest of you lonely.”  (Charles Schulz)  “Sparky’s” last original comic strip was published on this date in 2000, but I still read re-runs on the computer.  The holiday season tends to magnify the loss of loved ones who are “absent.”  Another Peanuts quote…” Wouldn’t it be nice if our lives were like VCRs, and we could fast-forward through the crummy parts?”  But life goes on.  Today, let’s give thanks for the memory of the good times.    ;-)  Jack

 FROM WALMART REV:  5 good to great years in West Bloomfield, MI, from 1984-1989...it built a faith and trust in God's provision for my family and myself that I had not recognized up to that time.////FROM JACK:  It would be interesting....Pick out 5 consecutive years in your life that were the most rewarding, or the most life-forming, or (you name it)....

 FROM MICHIZONA RAY:  In a book titled, Necessary Losses, the author writes, "absence makes the heart grow frantic", and after an extended period of frantic, "absence makes the heart grow frozen". Apparently, one defense from such suffering can be to pretend that we don't care about the loneliness. Love indeed conquers all. It calms the frantic spirit, and melts the frozen heart. May Love never be absent from our awareness!////FROM JACK:  "You can't win 'em all!" is good advice as we face many of life's situations.  "Keep calm, and carry on."

 FROM MT IN PENNSYLVANIA:  I've had my share of crummy parts, and my 'video life recorder' does let me fast-forward through them (in retrospect). Even the worst experiences of the past are transformed into grateful appreciation of today, through the magic of acceptance and forgiveness.////FROM JACK:  Crummy probably doesn't qualify as an "onomatopoeia" word, but it certainly sounds like what it describes.

 FROM DP IN WISCONSIN/MINNESOTA:  Fits perfect, as my wife and I are at her fav aunts funeral today in Hibbing MN.////FROM JACK:  I'm sure that there are plenty of words being shared, telling of the good times in her life.  For most of us, the good far outweighs the bad....But absence still causes an ache.

 FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY:  Memories fill in the empty spots but there is still a tear in the heart for some we will never forget.  My regret is some of our grandchildren will never know the special people who went before.  So, we have to make sure we are the special people for them.////FROM JACK:  Memories are being made each day, no matter what our age might be.

 FROM GP IN MICHIGAN:  Thanx for your Winning Words.  They have been thoughtful and have led me to better insight.////FROM JACK:  An outdoor church sign once read:  "Come in for a faith lift."  I suppose Winning Words could be classified as sort of a faith lift, at least, that's what I try to make it.

 FROM AW IN MICHIGAN:  I am looking forward to a 2013 filled with your winning words.  I find them stimulating and enjoyable.  Thanks.////FROM JACK:  “The world is so full of a number of things, I ’m sure we should all be as happy as kings.”  This quote by Robert Louis Stevenson reminds me of the many possibilities that 2013 holds, such as meeting other people like you.  I appreciate our friendship.

 FROM BLAZING OAKS:  THERE WAS A POPULAR PARAPHRASE  OF THAT QUOTE:  "ABSENCE MAKES THE HEART GROW FONDER...FOR SOMEBODY ELSE! WHICH SOMETIMES HAPPENS IF YOU DON'T PAY ATTENTION ...OF COURSE IF YOU ARE STATIONED IN  SOME FAR AWAY PLACE, YOU DON'T HAVE CONTROL OF "ABSENCE"!   ALTHOUGH SPECIAL HOLIDAYS ARE NEVER QUITE THE SAME AFTER WE HAVE LOST DEAR LOVED ONES, WE DO HAVE THE BLESSING OF HAPPY MEMORIES, AND THAT IS A GREAT COMFORT!  KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON IS GOOD ADVICE, AS W.C. ADVISED. ////FROM JACK: Charles Schulz was a success with Peanuts, because he knew how to put "feelings" on paper.

 FROM PEPPERMINT MARY: oh, and the ww about absence making the heart grow fonder...
mark travels quite a bit for long periods of time.  the heart does grow stronger with anticipation to see each other.  the time apart is not worth it.  i like anticipating having dinner together each and every night.  just my/our opinion.////FROM JACK:  Well, it was good to see you again after more than 40 years of absence.  It seemed as though time had not passed.  You were the same Mary.