Out Of The Mouth Of Babes

Quotable Quotes

Children are the hands by which we take hold of heaven. - Henry Ward Beecher

You'd think that kids haven't yet had a trove of insight that would be inspirational to adults. 

Wrong. They are so wise, witty, and wonderful.

Especially my grandchildren.

I know that I'd quickly forget the sweet, sassy, insightful, and funny things they have said if I didn't record them somehow, so here are some of them.

Grandson

This one you may remember from grammar school. The acronym many students use for the lines of the treble clef is EGBDF- Every Good Boy Does Fine. His rewritten version:

Every Good Boy Deserves Fortnite.

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If you didn't buy all that wine, you could have bought that big house. - To Lolo

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This is a classic - an original, unsolicited story reflecting his current interest in black holes and astroyeds (asteroids):

The Class that Went to Outer Space

Once upon a time there was a boy named Danny. 

He lived a normal life until he learned about the black hole in outer space. Danny was fascinated, he learned a lot about the black hole in school. He is in 4th grade. He has 2 more months of school left in fourth grade.

Danny wants to go to outer space when he gets older.

One day in school his teacher told everyone since they were learning so much about the black hole and outer space they were going to go on a spaceship into space.

Danny was so excited! He told his mom and dad he was going to go to outer space.

Danny and his class went to space and got sucked up by the black hole. The class was never seen or heard of again. The end.

First Granddaughter

After buying a box of cereal and receiving singles as change for her ten dollar bill from the cashier at the convenience store, her eyes got bigger as she exclaimed, I'm rich! 

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Looking at the view from a scenic chair lift in Montana, she said incredulously, How is the whole world in Montana covered in trees??? 

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She told her Mama one night that if she had to leave the house in a hurry, she would take her bunnies, pillow, blankie, Bubba's mementos (his clay paw print and lock of fur), and the book Grandma made for her on her birthday.

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Here's a string of emails last year about our upcoming visit:
i miss you two and how long are you going to stay? Like five years! hope more then that like 100! my birthday in two months! And have a Merry merry christmas merry merry merry one! LOVE: your crazy granddaughter YAY!

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YAY! You know i Iike lol dolls and lps and squishies they are so so squishy they have cool design and can u stay for 4,76436764,5 days?  I know how to spell lots of words and know times it's easy well kinda I know 9×9 it's 81 8×7 is 56 and bro didn't know 8×7 its easy! And 5×0 is 0.

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hi grandma and lolo your so nice and yes i could tech bro how bout nine times zero easy it is zero Any thing that starts with zero is zero. And do you have a dog like a golden retriever of poodle or lab? i love you  YAY!

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Use your credit card. So you don't spend your money. - To Lolo when he went to pay for the kids' Seven Eleven snacks

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I've been Claireified and cutified.- After shopping at Claire's with her Mama

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She recently divulged, Reading is my passion. And that, The library is my happy place.

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Her latest aphorism: I thought happiness started with 'H' but it really started with you. (Where does a seven-year-old get this thought from?)

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One morning, after I had commented that I didn't have any emails or text, she empathetically remarked, I know how that feels.

Second Granddaughter

To me as she comes out, tearful, after having received a flu shot: We're not talking about this.

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Seriously, Jach. - To Lolo's corny joke

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When we brainstormed, she would always come up with, I have an idea. When asked where her brilliant idea came from, she would answer, My brain told me.

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Jach, you're color blind. - To Lolo who asked her to choose from 'two' colors of ice cream cone (there were actually three colors)

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My Dada's obsessed. - When asked why she took off her neck scarf

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Mama, do you think you work too much? When asked why, she said, Because we were learning about 'balance' at school.

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You should be happy with what you got. - Her handwritten inscription on a glass candle holder.

***

What did I tell ya? Isn't my family discerning, witty and wise?

So, here's to 'seeing' the beauty of that which is unseen.

To just breathe while contemplating the warmth of the sun.

To run the race with enthusiasm.

To preserve an unabashed view of the world.

May the wings of the butterfly find your shoulder to light on - to grace your life with peace and contentment for the new year and beyond.

Happy Birthday, Bubba!

January 18

It's hard to forget someone who gave you so much to remember. - Anonymous

He would have been 98 years old today - really, an old chap. But that would be only fourteen in dog years.

I remember seeing his puppy picture. How tiny he was. A bookworm, as First Daughter would say.

And he grew bigger and taller.

I remember how he would cuddle up and not let me get up after I'd finished my floor exercises.

I remember how he would nudge my hand back when I got tired doing his throat scratch.

I remember how he loved to eat tissue paper and rocks and whole, green mangoes.

Untitled. Photo, A.V.H., Date unknown

I remember him watching over cavorting grandkids.

I remember how he loved the ocean.

Oh, so many more 'remembers' but particularly today, I, together with those who love him, remember it's his especial day.

Happy birthday, Bubba!

Just Run

Inspirational Stories

From Second Daughter, An Exhilarating Post

(December 2016, Printed With Permission)

I've learned a lot through running the past several weeks. 

That I need to run at least every other day to decompress from holiday and end-of-year work stress.

That running in five-degree weather makes me feel like I can do just about anything.

That fleece-lined running tights are the bomb diggity.

That running in the snow, albeit gingerly, is like no other scene of serenity. 

That running is the best way for me to live.

***

So run, my bright-eyed one!

You're off to great places. Today is your day. Your mountain is waiting. Get on your way.

And when you can't run anymore, run with your heart.

Remembering My Azul

January 14, 2019

I heard a bird chirp in the dark of winter.

A magical thing.

I thought it was Azul.

Trio of Birdhouses on Leafless Lilac Bush.
Photo, V.E.V., December 2019

But no, it wasn't him, for he had long taken flight, spreading his blue wings up into a cloudless sky.


               Thus in the winter

              stands the lonely tree,

                Nor knows what birds

             have vanished one by one. 

             - Edna St. Vincent Millay

I Want To See The Sun

Inspirational Stories

From First Daughter, A Heartwarming Story

(March 2018, Printed With Permission)

I want to see the sun.

This was the request of my elderly, very frail patient, spoken through his breathing mask. He explained that he had been in the Intensive Care Unit for two weeks and hadn’t seen the sun.

                  Sunset On Waikiki Beach. Photo, V.E.V.

So I had his bed moved by a big picture window.

I couldn’t cure his advanced lung cancer, but he was so happy to be by the window, he grasped my hand in gratitude. He didn’t even wish to be outside in the sun, he simply wanted to see it.

To be able to see the sun, to freely take in a deep breath without needing help, these are the things I’m thankful for.

I’m grateful for my patients reminding me of these simple, precious joys.

***

Gratitude and joy in the simple moments.

Yes, to that.

The quiet of the night when we close our eyes and fall into a dreamless sleep, thinking of sunshine after moonlight.

The dawning day blessing us with sunshine on our face,  warm enough to make our hearts sing, bright enough to make the shadows fall behind.

Here comes the sun, and I say, It's all right.

But Now I See

Inspirational Stories

Pinterest is full of thoughts and touching accounts about finding yourself and knowing your own path.

I know. I get it. I understand.

But I've discovered that I really don’t need Pinterest. I have family, the compass that guides me - my inspiration to reach great heights and my comfort when I falter.

In this series are some of the stories and thoughts they have passed on to me.

From Hubby, A Poignant Story

Vision is the art of seeing things invisble. - Jonathan Swift

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room.

One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room’s only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back.

The men talked for hours on end.

Every afternoon, when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window...

A park with a lovely lake where ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walking arm in arm amidst flowers of every color. The city skyline in the distance.

As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene.

Days, weeks, and months passed.

The man by the window died peacefully in his sleep.

As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch.

Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow and strained to turn to look out the window beside the bed.

It faced a blank wall.

Taken aback, he looked at the nurse. With a knowing smile on her face, she disclosed, Your deceased roommate was blind.

***

Sight Is Beautiful. Watercolor drawing by First Granddaughter, 5 years old

Indeed.

Sight is beautiful, of things both seen and unseen.

Like being a unicorn that brings a dash of magic into life and makes dreams come true.

An insight that is childlike.

Pure.

And rare.

Live In The Sunshine

For First Daughter, On Her Birthday

Ocean Frolic. Photo, A.V.H., March 2019

  You are my bright light, a ray of sunbeam.

  Fair and good-looking.

  Intelligent, compassionate, thoughtful, and
  sweet. 

  Classy.

  Strong-willed and determined. My wish for


  you is to...

  




And that you may forever sparkle and shine
like the light that you are.