Family

The following has always been a favorite as to the meaning of family. The original writer is unknown, but whoever wrote it had a heart and was very wise.

I ran into a stranger as he passed by,
"Oh excuse me please" was my reply.
He said, "Please, excuse me too; I wasn't watching for you."
We were very polite, this stranger and I.
We went on our way and we said goodbye.
But at home a diffrent story is told.

How we treat our loved ones, young and old.
Later that day, cooking the evening meal,
My son stood beside me very still.
When I turned, I nearly knocked him down. "Move out of the way," I said with a frown.
He walked away, his little heart broken. I didn't realize how harshly I'd spoken.
While I lay awake in bed,
God's still small voice came to me and said,
"While dealing with a stranger, common courtesy you use,
but the family you love, you seem to abuse.
Go and look on the kitchen floor, you'll find some flowers there by the door.
Those are the flowers he brought for you.
He picked them himself; pink, yellow, and blue.
He stood very quietly not to spoil the surprise,
You never saw the tears that filled his little eyes."
By this time, I felt very small,
And now my tears began to fall.
I quietly went and knelt by his bed;
"Wake up, little one, wake up," I said.
"Are these the flowers you picked for me?"
He smiled, "I found 'em, out by the tree.
I picked 'em because they're pretty like you.
I knew you'd like 'em, especially the blue."
I said, "Son, I'm very sorry for the way I acted today.
I shouldn't have yelled at you that way."
He said, "Oh, Mom, that's okay. I love you anyway."
I said, "Son, I love you too, and I do like the flowers, especially the blue."

FAMILY: Are you aware that if we died tomorrow, the company that we are working for could easily replace us in a matter of days? But the family we left behind will feel the loss for the rest of their lives. And come to think of it, we pour ourselves more into work than into our own family, an unwise investment indeed, don't you think? So what is behind the story?

Do you know what the word FAMILY means?
FAMILY = (F)ather (A)nd (M)other (I) (L)ove (Y)ou

I keep this on my refrigerator door as a constant reminder. But somehow it gets covered up from time to time. Once I realize it, I bring it to the front once again. If we stop and think about it, probably a majority of us are guilty of this very thing. I hate to admit it, but I am. It is very easy to treat those that are strangers or accuaintances with respect, but at home it is a whole different world. We need to remind ourselves about the importance of family. Remember that God so loved the little children.

To my beautiful seven grand children, I pray that I will always treat you with
the same kindness and respect that a total stranger receives. You are a blessing
and miracle created for us from our Heavenly Father to care for and to love,
not to abuse nor neglect. I love you all unconditionally.