Abe Lincoln and Kindness

Recently I purchased Abraham Lincoln's Daily Treasure: Moments of Faith with America's Favorite President, edited by Thomas Freiling. I thought it would be an interesting read, and I love to read about people of faith in the past.

The other morning I read "On Acts of Kindness" and thought you'd enjoy this piece: "One morning President Lincoln asked Major Eckert, on duty at the White House, 'Who is that woman crying out in the hall? What is the matter with her?' Eckert said it was a woman who had been expecting to go down to the army to see her husband, but because an order recently had gone out prohibiting women from visiting the army, she could not see him. Mr. Lincoln sat moodily for a moment after hearing this story. Then suddenly his face lit up with pleasure. 'Let's bring him up.' The order was written, and the man was sent to Washington. It was spur-of-the-moment decisions like this, small acts of kindness, that endeared Lincoln to the American people. Do you take a break now and then to show an act of kindness? It will not only make you feel better, but it will help give you a reputation like Lincoln's."

As we all know, it is the little things that one does that makes a big difference. I always find it inspiring to read of the lives of others and learn what they've done to make a difference.

                    The girls were taking a rest one day, and I caught their pensive mood.

I knew I was not going to be able to do a lot in my gardens this spring while my body was trying to gain strength and energy. I was able to rake up some leaves and debris in April, but mainly I just watched as plants started growing. But this month of May I have been astonished at the health and beauty of the gardens. Just knowing I didn't do anything to enhance them this year, the gardens are full, the flowers are blooming and the beauty is delicious!

       This is the 4th spring for my first garden. Jerry put down a stone path that isn't quite complete.

                                                  The two Wiegelia bushes are in bloom.

My gardens are full of perennials, and for the most part, there is little care needed. But because of my illness this year, my joy is especially full, knowing I didn't do anything to help. If you're not a gardener, there's always hope that one day you'll find yourself digging in dirt. I was 63 when it happened for me!

This is the 3rd spring for my second garden. Poppies are blooming, the Geranium bush next to it is in bloom, pale blue flowers, the Pulmonaria in the foreground is in bloom, and the Clematis are too, although hidden. And there are babies in the church birdhouse.

 

And I'm proud to tell you that my friend, Roy Thomas, published his first book and it's on Amazon. I worked with Roy at the Baptist Center in Columbia for 16 years. I consider him a dear friend  and fun guy! Click on the following link to read more.

 

http://www.amazon.com/Tale-Tiggy-Tabby-Mr-Thomas/dp/0692404732/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1432051239&sr=8-1&keywords=the+tale+of+tiggy+the+tabby

 

 

 

I leave you with this picture of my 91 year old mother. During her trip to Oklahoma and Texas a few weeks ago, my cousin got her on this Longhorn.