In our culture of greatness seeking we too frequently forget that much depends on the average person to help us be law abiding, respectful, members of our families, neighbourhoods, and nations. Perhaps if we applauded the average person for upholding the ordinary qualities that help us enjoy peace, comfort, and joy, there would me more average people and less greatness seekers who forget that their greatness often depends on average people to uphold it. - Grandpa Wal

In early February 1941 a six and a half month old child was separated from his parents because of his mother’s ill health. His grandmother, aunts and cousins were loaded on to an evacuation ship that offered to take them away from a war torn city just about to fall to the enemy.

The order of embarkation was by way of surname - alphabetically. His family members surnames were Webster, Woodford, and Walters. Somehow he was taken aboard ship by loving arms and all got away to safety by the hand of Providence. I was the child. The gratitude I feel today remains immense. The opportunities to encourage others have been many throughout my life, and I am thankful for them.—Grandpa Wal

Look closely at a tree with the concentration of an ardent admirer and you will be welcomed to a wonderful world of life and purpose. The quiet tree stands undisturbed by the hustle and bustle of life, and when a restless wind blows in its branches, its response is a softly spoken “hush! The loudest noise a tree makes is when a branch is broken or its trunk is felled. Then the sound of a crack or a thud manifests the pain of its loss of life.

We go to trees for shade, to look at trunk and leaf, to watch beautiful birds frolic on its branches, to remind ourselves that life has purpose although fulfillment of that purpose may take generations. So it is that when children, grand children, and generations to come see a tree that an ancestor has planted, it reminds them of the links between generations and the legacy of family traditions that enrich their lives in the present. How grateful we should be for trees, majestic and otherwise, for they have in their being much from which we can learn. –Grandpa Wal

There's no doubt about it. The world is getting faster and we are all slowing down in our capacity to deal with it. So, make the best of every moment, win the battle within, and get with it. - Grandpa Wal

The Sky Show

I have had a more than a passing interest in astronomy and the heavens from way back when I went on hikes on a tropical island at night and watched the Milky Way do its magic in the sky. See for yourself in the links provided below and enjoy the inspiration that the vastness of the Universe will give to you. - Grandpa Wal

Link No. 1: http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap090109.html
Link No. 2: http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap090107.html
Link No. 3: http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap081224.html
Link No. 4: http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap080628.html

This quote by Charles Henrickson Brower found in Charles Jones’ Life is Tremendous, Tyndale House, 1979, p15, is a reminder that we must treat new and promising ideas with care if we want them to progress to their full bloom. When a new idea occurs to us think of possibilities not problems, be optimistic not dull and pessimistic, think what can be done and not what can’t, and more of our dreams will progress to reality at our time and in our day.—Grandpa Wal

Someone has said that a smile is the shortest distance between two people, and I agree. Others have said that we use less muscles on our face to smile than to frown, and I think that encourages me to smile more often, especially when we want to relax through a hectic time of day. Whatever the reason, a smile makes friends or at least makes them wonder! Try it and see for yourself. —Grandpa Wal