Winning Words 5/3/13
“What a wonderful life I’ve had!  I only wish I’d realized it sooner.”  (Colette)  I agree with Colette about the wonderful life.  In retrospect, there were some great times and great people that I saw as ordinary, but they shaped my life.  During WW 2, Colette aided her Jewish friends and turned her estate into a hospital.  Today’s “words” were spoken from a wheelchair as her controversial life was ending, at age 81.    ;-)  Jack

 FROM RI IN BOSTON:  Two weeks ago I went to Milwaukee to spend some time with my sister who has been suffering from pulmonary problems.  We spent three days talking about "old times"...our youth, and the paths our lives took.  She had nine children and managed a tight budget all those years, but despite the hardships, when we talked she spoke of how wonderful her 80 years had been, the pride she had in her children, and the love all of them shared.  It appeared to some of us that she had a tough life but it was clear she had a different perspective......Yesterday I returned home from a second trip to Milwaukee.  My sister died last weekend and I was there to attend her funeral and offer my condolences to her husband and children, and grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  They had been the basis of her wonderful life, and their reverence for her was unmistakable.  It became clear to me that from the simplest of circumstances my sister lived a rewarding life.====JACK:  First of all, my sympathy to you upon the loss of your sister.  You have captured the essence of "a wonderful life."  It is in the eye of the beholder who has lived it.

 FROM WALMART REV:  Yes indeed! A wonderful life...and the best is yet to come!====JACK:  Hebrews 11 expresses it well, starting with verse 1.  "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."

FROM TAMPA SHIRL:  The first time I wrote a little book was in 1994 when Mother had had one of her operations. The book was about my wonderful life.====JACK:  Now, almost 20 years have passed.  Think of the interesting chapters that you might add.

FROM ME IN NEWPORT BEACH:  Never too late.  Nice thought.====JACK:  A friend of mine once conducted a funeral for someone he did not know well.  The family asked that the hymn, "Almost Persuaded," be sung.  It's a good thing that God is omniscient.  He knows us better than we (or our relatives) know us...Whether or not "almost" fits.  A hymn like, "Amazing Grace...that saved a wretch like me," might be a good choice, but I'm getting TOO theological here. 

FROM OUTHOUSE JUDY:  It is a wonderful life for us all if we stop to smell the roses along the way.  It is a glorious life, even with all the problems...we are blessed, truly blessed.  God has promised all of our cares and woes will stop when we get to Heaven.  That truth is what keeps many people who suffer through this life!====JACK:  Right now, all we know is this life.  We have to imagine what the next life will be...yet, we are told in the Bible that the next life is beyond imagination.   

FROM INDY GENIE:  Great WW.....fits right into the hippie's idea of "take time to smell the roses...just for the record, I am having a wonderful life. Thanks for reminding me:)====JACK:  I suppose that on Saturday you'll be watching the Kentucky Derby, since it's called, "The Run For the Roses."

 FROM SBP IN FLORIDA:  Some self-generated modifications to a final stanza of a poem by Wordsworth.
And oft when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood
These flash upon my inward eye
Which is the bliss of
solitude.
And then my heart with
pleasure teems
Of a life fulfilled with
realized wants and hopes
and dreams.
Life is/has been good! Thank you, Lord!!!
====JACK:  I read that this poem was inspired as Wordsworth walked through a bed of daffodils.  These spring flowers are favorites of mine.  Wordsworth had a way with words, didn't he?