Friday, July 10, 2009

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JOHN !

Happy birthday to our first son, John Eric Holzworth. You were the first, the one we practiced on. You amazed Darrell Crawford, babysitter Pauline's husband, with your early counting skills, and astounded Flavia Barnett, our minister's wife, with your reading ability. But as a teacher, I knew you were ready, so I encouraged you! (Well, I actually think you might say I pushed you!)
In spite of my efforts, you did your own thing as well!

I remember how proud we were of you, our first-born. I remember the photo of you standing behind the steering wheel of Red Reynolds' van. I remember when you took swimming lessons at Kurtz' pool. I remember when you bought a valentine for a special girl. I remember how you cried when our dog, Lucky, got hit and died. I remember your car wrecks, especially the one where you called me from Dudleytown. I remember your short but unwilling stint at IUS. I remember when you were in an apartment in Seymour and got sick. I remember when you moved to Massachusetts, the Christmas I flew out to visit you, and your visits back here. Those are just some of the memories I have.

I still think you would be a great talk show host! You can carry on a conversation with anybody and they feel very comfortable and honored. You have an easy, low-key manner with people. But I also know you have a depth of feeling that I haven't always recognized. And you are funny, with a subtle sense of humor. You get along great with children! You are loyal to your friends. You are thoughtful with cards and gifts. You have to like your job to stay with it. Those are some of the things I admire and appreciate about you. And of course you love your music.

Happy Birthday, John!
Love, Mom

(For photos see: thewarrens-cliffandsusan.blogspot.com )


Thursday, July 9, 2009

Such A Little Word

"If" is such a little word! But it does have such great implications. When looking at the past, "if" is usually used in the expression, "If only . . . ," indicating regret for what was or wasn't done, or did or didn't happen. I'm sure we all have our own ways of finishing that expression.

However, the word "if" also exists for the present--conditionally, that is. "If I do this, this will be the result." "If I do this, eventually this will happen." So for now "if" serves to keep our actions in check in order to avoid or experience certain consequences, both negative and positive.

Then there is "What if?" "What if . . . ?" may express our fears about the outcome of an anticipated course of action, but "What if . . .?" may also express the potential results of trying new approaches and actions, encouraging us to step boldly forward into the future.

So we see that the little word "if" may be used to show past regret, to ground us in the present, or to prevent us from or to spur us on to bigger and better things. However much we might wish we could, we can't change the past. Of course, we want to act honorably and responsibly now. But most importantly, we may think about the future with hope and determination to make it better, "if" we are willing to think and act in ways we have never tried before! That is true of individuals, groups, communities, states, and nations.