Dreams & Goals
Teen Talk
Have you talked with a teen lately? I had the privilege of talking with a wonderful 16-year-old this week. She said, “I won’t be able to vote for the president for four more years, but what happens now has a big impact on me anyway.” Powerful words of wisdom from one so young.…
Read MoreThe Coveted Prize
Several years ago, our family visited the Rock of Gibraltar, a spectacular promontory that juts out into the Straits of Gibraltar on the southern coast of Spain. At our first stop, our youngest grandson, who had never seen the ocean before, paused and slowly scanned the horizon from one end to the other, before announcing with…
Read MoreChallenges and Friendship
When Lois Call was 18 months old, a cup of hot grease tipped over and spilled onto her head. It ran down her face, neck, and onto her shoulders causing a serious burn. The doctor made a house call to examine this little girl. After the exam, he placed bandages on her head and turned…
Read MoreMighty Oak, Little Maple
According to legend, two seeds (one from a maple tree and one from an oak) fell to the ground near one another. The forest in which they lived was dense, with fertile soil. While they started out on the same day, the oak grew faster than the little maple. The oak was becoming a…
Read MoreThe Teacher Said “No!”
This post tells the story of a young man whom I will call Zack and an experience he had when he was a senior in high school. This experience teaches us the importance of controlling our ego, appreciating the effort, and being grateful for the part we played in the success of another person.…
Read MoreBlind Piano Teacher
When we moved to Salt Lake City, my parents rented a small house. It had a kitchen, dining room, front room, one bedroom, and one bathroom. There were five of us living there. My two sisters and I slept in the bedroom, and my parents slept in the dining room. We had an upright…
Read MoreMy Spelling List Under Pillow
I was never a very good student, however one teacher made a significant difference in my life. She was my fifth grade teacher, Mrs. Bouck. In many ways her methods were quirky and unconventional. My most poignant memory was her motivational technique for helping me learn to spell better. She motivated (perhaps bribed is…
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