Dear Reader Column 03-24-10

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Dear Reader,

When my husband emailed photos of our grandchildren to two of his brothers a few weeks ago, on a whim, he also sent them to a friend. We don't normally email grandchildren photos to friends; we keep them in the family. (Too many memories of watching a neighbor's home movies years ago.) But sometimes "whims" happen for a reason. Later in the day our friend sent this email: "It's been rough going here the past few days. Too many problems, too much worry. If you don't mind, could you continue to email photos of your grandchildren every day for a week or two? Their smiling faces put a smile on my face this morning--actually had me laughing out loud--and reminded me of the love and joy in life."

Yes indeed, photos of grandchildren and the silly little things they say, can do wonders to mend a big person's heart.

An email my daughter-in-law sent to me is tucked away in my "emotionally rainy day" file. The day she sent the email my husband and I were supposed to take our grandchildren, Paul and James, to the fair. But earlier in the day, some bad things showed up in my life. My first thought was to cancel the afternoon with our grandsons. How could I think about going to the fair, when I felt so miserable. So I emailed my daughter-in-law, hoping she'd provide some sort of easy-out, but instead I broke down and cried when I read her reply--and suddenly, I couldn't wait to go to the fair!

"Oh, my yes! Paul is really looking forward going to the fair today. He was talking about the fair all last night and early this morning. He wants to show James the rides. And...Paul insists that 'Grandpa is going to buy me a hot dog, and Grandpa is going to eat an Icee, and James will be eating milk.' So I'm giving you a heads-up that Paul is going to wear you out, because he's in a 'going-to-the-fair, with Grandma and Grandpa' hot dog frame of mind."

*Photos to save for an emotional rainy day, go to: http://tinyurl.com/ybejgo6

Thanks for reading with me. It's so good to read with friends.

Suzanne Beecher
Suzanne@DearReader.com
http://www.DearReader.com

* This month's Penguin Classics book is Kristin Lavransdatter I: The Wreath by Sigrid Undset. To start reading and enter for your chance to win a Penguin totebag go to: http://tinyurl.com/March10Classics

 

Comments

[shirley phillips]

how about a book about cute grand kid stories and also include your animal stories. put in a few pictures aand ---voila1 another brest seller. happy reader as always,shirley

[Christine Harris]

March 25 column - 'Emotionally Rainy Day' therapy - Oh, yes, Suzanne, there is nothing like pictures of grandchildren to blow away the emotional rain! I so enjoyed looking at your beautiful little grandsons' pictures too. I have one grandchild - Caleb, age 7. He is the joy of my life, needless to say, in every way. I have my screensaver on my computer set to run a continuous file called "Caleb Miscellaneous". It contains photos of him from infancy all the way up to now, pensive, silly, laughing, playing, riding horses with his dad, hugging his mommy, hugging ME, on and on and on. It never fails to make me feel happy and at peace to watch them roll. Of course, productivity comes to a screeching halt, but somehow that's okay! Love your daily doses of life! Chris Harris, Little Rock, Arkansas

[Penny Weldon]

Suzanne,

Your Emotionally Rainy Day therapy is just what the Doctor ordered. My husband, Jim has been recently diagnosed with prostate cancer and it's serious. Also, his job is no more. The good news, is that no lymph nodes show any cancer. Surgery is slated soon We have two fabulous daughter's, two great son's in law & 3 wonderful grandchildren with another grandchild on the way. Hallelujah! I too have my grandchildren posted on my office screen saver as well as my home computer too! It always brings me a smile when I gaze on their pictures! Also, a loving & supportive church too! When you see all that we have, we are truly blessed! We will continue to pray for you & your family as well as other families that are having a hard time. I'm glad we took your prescribed therapy today! Good to know that there are no limits on the refills