quotations | VIVIAN KIRKFIELD – Writer for Children

Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan in 1898. On the...

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“Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength…while loving someone deeply gives you courage.” –Lao Tzu

Have you ever read accounts of Herculean feats of strength and courage? I’ve come across news stories that relate how a mother lifted a car that had rolled on her child…and how a husband swam miles in frigid ocean waters supporting his wife until they were rescued. I truly believe that love gives us strength and courage.

“You come to love, not by finding the perfect person, but by seeing an imperfect person perfectly.” -Sam Keen

As a young girl, I remember sitting with friends, talking about what each of us was looking for in the “perfect” husband…did you have a list of attributes you wanted in a mate? What was on your list? The thing is, there is a perfect person for everyone…their imperfections may bother others, but not you.

“I love you, not only for what you are, but for what I am when I am with you.” -Roy Croft

We are made better by those we cherish…because we strive to be the best we can be for them…we wish them to think well of us and to respect us.

“In real love, you want the other person’s good. In romantic love, you want the other person.” -Margaret Anderson

When you really love someone, you want the best for them and you are willing to give them anything you have, if they need it. My husband and I enjoy sharing things…meals at restaurants, good books, our lives. I know some people don’t like to share food, even with those they love, but I’ll never forget an experience we had at a Dunkin Donuts in Connecticut over 35 years ago. We had been out all day shopping and needed to have a bite to eat before we drove home. We only wanted to grab something quickly, so we pulled into a Dunkin Donuts and went inside. Sitting down at the counter, we noticed the special of the day…soup, bread, coffee and a donut. Since I LOVE soup and hate coffee, and my husband LOVES coffee and wasn’t in the mood for soup, we decided to order the special and share it. The woman behind the counter got our food and set it before us. The soup was delicious and I pushed it closer to my husband, asking him if he would like to have a taste. As he picked up the spoon, the woman behind the counter remarked, “That’s disgusting!!!! I’ve been married 30 years and I’ve never shared ANYTHING with my husband.”

I think that was one of the saddest thing I have ever heard.

“Love is comprised of a single soul inhabiting two bodies.” -Aristotle

Yesterday was Valentine’s Day and across the web there were stories, pictures and messages about love.

I think the most important message we need to keep close to our hearts is that we shouldn’t wait until Valentine’s Day or any other “special” day to say “I love you” to people we care about.

I will end with a quote by someone who couldn’t see or hear or speak…but her words create a beautiful picture in our minds and epitomize what love is all about.

“The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched. They must be felt with the heart.” –Helen Keller

Valentine’s Day has come and gone…but children need to hear the words…I love you…on a daily basis. Stop by tomorrow for: What’s In Your Child’s Bookcase Wordy Wednesday. I’ll be reviewing a picture book I recommend in my new parenting book, SHOW ME HOW! BUILD YOUR CHILD’S SELF-ESTEEM THROUGH READING, CRAFTING AND COOKING.

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When I got home the other day, there was a package waiting for me at the door. Actually, there were THREE packages! All from the same person!

My birthday is next week 🙂 and my dear wonderful sister had sent me some presents!

A sister is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost.

Marion C. Garretty

Isn’t it fun to get stuff in the mail? I know they say it is better to give than to receive. That is definitely true…but I must admit that it is lovely to open a present from someone who loves you, especially a sister who seems to know just what you need, want and like. Maybe that’s because you grow up together and even though you may not be close when you are young, you still have the same history…or almost the same. Although parents may try to treat each child in the family the same, it is really impossible. There are many factors that determine how parents interact with their children…birth order, temperament and personality of each child and where the parents are in their own life journey.

Sister is probably the most competitive relationship within the family, but once sisters are grown, it becomes the strongest relationship.

Margaret Mead

Are you close with your siblings? My sister and I were not when we were growing up, but now that we are older, the relationship seems more important and the bond grows stronger.

The first package contained a beautiful nightgown, a package of bath tea, a yummy bar of dark chocolate laced with cranberries and an enchanting handmade card. The second package was heavy…a bunch of romance novels…one of my favorite escapes. The third package was the heaviest of all…more books…one of which was a large treasury of women’s quotations!

For there is no friend like a sister

In calm or stormy weather;

To cheer one on the tedious way,

To fetch one if one goes astray,

To lift one if one totters down,

To strengthen whilst one stands.

Christina Rossetti

How did my sister know that I had decided to reserve my Tuesday blog post for favorite quotes? I hadn’t mentioned it to her.

Maybe it’s that special bond between sisters?

So I think it is appropriate to dedicate this first Quotable Timeless Tuesday post to sisters…my sister, in particular.

A sister is both your mirror…and your opposite

Elizabeth Fishel

GREAT news! The publisher is letting us extend the SHARE THE LOVE BOOK BOGO EVENT that is going on right now on my website

You can grab a copy of the book that contains 100 EASY CHILD-FRIENDLY HEALTHFUL COOKING ACTIVITIES AND 100 SIMPLE ECO-FRIENDLY CRAFT PROJECTS at the regular cover price and you will RECEIVE ANOTHER COPY FREE!

In addition, we are adding a special bonus that will remain in effect until Valentine’s Day….FREE PRIORITY SHIPPING, with both books going to the same address.

Head on over to my website to get all the details…this will be a gift of love, not only to the adults who receive the books, but also to the children who get to do the reading, crafting and cooking! If you find yourself wondering what activities to do with your preschooler, this book is the perfect solution…reading, crafting and cooking activities laid out in a simple format that’s as easy as ABC. The fun thing is that you can pick and choose which activities to do when it suits you and your child.

Stop by tomorrow for another new feature of my blog: WHAT’S IN YOUR CHILD’S BOOKCASE WEDNESDAY?