"Three Kinds of Bridges" by Susan Pearl

In my life I have known three kinds of bridges-

Some of which I gladly run across-

Like learning how to drive a car, staying out late, traveling far-

And these are my bridges of adventure.

And there are bridges I have to be led across-

By certain people whom explained things or showed me by hand to assist my knowing-

Like a teacher, or a coach, or a carpenter or mechanic or family and kind adults with a skill-

And these are my bridges of learning and growing.

Then there are bridges I have to be pushed across-

For on the other side of these bridges in life there awaits a tremendous loss-

It has to be faced, it has to be grieved- and life seemed so strange-

These have been the bridges making my life not ever the same.

So many bridges of losses and gains in this life of constant change.

But as long as we can adapt, adjust and accept-

A peace will come that is greater than any height or depth.

Faith, hope and love surround us no matter how many bridges come-

Preparing us to be stronger to cross the next one. 

For each bridge will bring change of loss or gain. 

"Flip Flop Mores Code" by Susan Pearl

 I could tell by the sound of her flip flops she was running towards the house as fast as she could.

I met her at the back door. She breathlessly said, "Help---she is caught up in the apple tree"!!! 

I ran to the backyard not knowing what to expect.

I yelled up into the tree as I tried to looked through all the white blossoms

She called back saying, "I'm fine. I got my footing again and I'm coming down."

Here she came and it was so good too see and hold her again.

She was shook up because when she lost her footing she fell between two tight fitting limbs.

She felt wedged in and she couldn't reach anything with her arms. It had frightened her.

I looked at our other daughter and went to hold her, saying,

"You did good, running for help the way you did. My, you ran so fast to come get me.

I knew there was trouble because I had never heard your flip flops a flippin' and floppin' so fast.

It was like they were sending a mores code message for help: flip-flip-flip:flop-flop-flop:flip-flip-flip.

Thank you for all you did to help your sister". She smiled. I could tell she felt proud of herself.

 Then I said, "No climbing the tree. We all don't want this to ever happen again. Right"?

We all agreed. Then spent the rest of day playing at the park on playground equipment.

It was a sudden experience of being family. We all did our best to be there for each other.

And we all learned several very important lessons like being warned by the fast action for help.

"Knowing Why I Do Certain Favorite Things"---------------- by Susan Pearl

I like certain things to do that fill in a day with enjoyment.

Mostly they are playing games, having creative hobbies and crocheting.

I think the reason I like them so much is because I know I am good at them.

It seems like I have a natural ability and talent to be good at them.

Building on that, I have discovered I don't ever get tired of doing them.

It has to be something that from the very beginning I am good at.

Then, from there, I try to get better and better and keep improving. 

So, it becomes a challenge that is not only enjoyable, it is equally exciting.

And above all it is a fun activity that gives a feeling of satisfaction and happiness.

I look forward to each day for the favorite things that I truly love doing.

And writing my "Pearls Take Time" blog is one of them, in fact, very much so.

"Thoughts of Encouragement" by Susan Pearl

I did something new today, 

I wrote a note of encouragement to someone I hold very dear.

That in itself is not new because I have written and sent greeting cards of encouragement before.

But those were for "Get Well" wishes of encouragement,

What made this new for me is that I was sending the encouragement to a care giver of an ill pet.

So many of us know how hard it is to see a pet go down hill. 

"Thinking of you as you care for your beloved pet", should be said more often.

I think that is needed, would be very nice and would mean a lot.

Sometimes the care of an ill pet can go on for weeks or months.

And everyone needs a word of encouragement and understanding from time to time.

I just thought of it this morning, I wrote it, I sent it and I'm glad I did.

I feel good about it and wanted to share it in my blog today with everyone who reads my blog.

We need to be aware of what others are going through and let them know we care.

And for anyone taking care of an ill pet today, many thoughts of encouragement are coming your way. 

   

"Unused Umbrellas" by Susan Pearl

There is an expression, "Out of sight out of mind".

I think that expression applies to our umbrellas since we store them in the closet behind the coats.

Even though we own two umbrellas we don't ever seem to have them with us when we need them.

We won the umbrellas on two different local TV drawings promoting businesses.

I think we won the first one and then about four years later we won the second umbrella-

We won by our postcard we sent to each of those TV business promotions being drawn.

Both times we were ecstatic when we watched our name being shown and announced as the winner.

"Hooray!" We were the winner of the day and each time we were so very happy.

Each umbrella was black with large yellow and white lettering of the name of the business on the top.

We thought they would be handy in the living room closet, but we haven't ever used them.

Then it happened as we were attending a grave side service and it was raining- and - raining hard.

With so many people there I think we were the only ones without an umbrella. 

Others shared their umbrellas with us by holding their umbrellas partly over our heads. 

On the way home I thought about the umbrellas in our living room closet.

When we first got the umbrellas we noticed the amount of advertising lettering on them.

We also noticed the lettering was distracting for wanting to read the business advertisement.

On one was the TV channel's call letters which would probably make people think a news crew was present and maybe we are news anchors.

On the other umbrella it read, "Pestilence Problem Control-Service" please call- telephone #, 

This may make people think we've got business knowledge when I really don't know anything about it.

We really do appreciate the umbrellas and we sincerely intend to use them. 

So now the umbrellas are in the car and we put two black hooded slicker jackets beside them.

If that doesn't do it- I don't know what will.

"Charity Begins at Home" by Susan Pearl

I was taught while growing up that charity begins at home.

The charity, the love the kindness for ourself and for others began at home by example.

My mother impressed upon us the importance of treating others kindly.

She taught it, she believed it, she lived it.

She became a widow at thirty-eight with five children to raise. The oldest child was thirteen years old. 

The youngest child was one year old and that was me.

We learned about selflessness by her total dedication to raising us.

She saw herself as a pioneer against bias, prejudice, inflicted barriers and unfair meanness.

We could count on her and we know it wasn't easy for her.

Without a husband or father in the house she shouldered full responsibility.

I remember her holding my hand every night as she led night prayers. 

I think during prayers we blessed family and just about everyone we knew.

Charity begins at home, it always has and it always will.

Love begins at home- seeing others with appreciation, having worth and kindness.

For any one who has not known a nurturing home love and kindness will reach you all the same.

Because love cannot be contained and it will reach you right where you are at.

Someone who has been touched by love and knows the great things it can do-

Will come and show you a better way than you have known- because you are not alone.

Or you may discover a favorite author, or singer, or athlete or song or TV program.

All of these will shine bright, like a spotlight on a life that is filled with goodwill and kindness. 

This world of positive possibilities, potential and opportunities outshines any negatives that exist.

If we can adapt we can connect, time and time again no matter what our circumstance has been.

"An Answer of Great Insight" by Susan Pearl

In my entire lifetime I have experienced a very special time that was "beyond incredible".

I was a young mother in my twenties. Our two daughters were five and three years old.

It was lunchtime. It had been a big morning because I was, also, babysitting three other children.

A lovely African American girl was happy to join us for all of my babysitting days each week.

Reading to the children seemed to be a favorite time for everyone. 

We had coloring time and an outside activity followed by games, then lunchtime.

The noon whistle blew and we were already in the kitchen ready for lunch.

The children surrounded me as I got a stack of multicolored bowls to dish up the food.

The children started arguing as to what color of bowl they wanted.

"I want the red bowl", "I want the blue one", "I like yellow", "I'll take the green"- 

I looked at our oldest daughter and asked, "What color of bowl do you want"?

I remember so vividly her answer, "Bowls are kind of like people- the color really doesn't matter".

I was quite taken back by her answer. Our five year old child had just inspired me and my life.

For I knew she had been shown this answer from a gifted insight given to her by having great wisdom.

I said "That's right and it is so wonderful that you can understand this at such a young age."

I kissed her and gave her a hug and knew in my heart something very special had come to be that day.

My life was renewed as I heard her words, so "beyond" her years, express "incredible" faith and truth. 

I was moved with joy and thankfulness, and I still am moved by the preceptive grace of her answer.  

That kind of insight at such a young age was so very amazing to me and it will continue be. 

What ever hard times life may bring my way they can't take the joy of that day when I heard her say,

"Bowls are kind of like people- the color really doesn't matter". It was truly an answer of great insight.