Morning Friend,Unlike the proverbial parents who were in the Iron and Steel Business, ("...my Mom ironed and my Dad stole..."), my Mom and Dad are big in the field of SHARING.It is not surprising really, given the harsh lessons in survival, compassion, and good will learned at the feet of parents who'd endured the Great Depression. ( during which some people did iron and steal ).In the still lean post-Depression years of their childhood, sharing was more than just an attribute of a well-rounded individual, it was a way of life.Prosperity wasn't measured in stock portfolios but by how much if any, meat was on the bones in the soup pot.Good fortune was a job - any job - and good health.Supplemental income could be found through bartering, bootlegging and some seasonal hay-baling.One could always afford to be charitable, if only from the heart.Like a solid oak tree, the family was nourished and strengthened by its' roots; a cousin who had this, an uncle who knew how to do that, or a sister-in-law who was willing to part with something else.....And as it flourished, each branch growing outward into the world is forever linked to those roots and held firm to the mighty trunk with the bark of family fellowship and shared love. ( and the "sweet"? memory of that big old grey tub of shared Saturday night bath water.)Times change.But Mom and Dad's memory of when turkey-neck soup and patched jeans weren't a delicacy and a fashion statement is still fresh.Ideals change.But one principle still and always works in their world..."When one has, everyone has....when everyone has nothing, at least we have each other!"Morals change.But the Golden Rule, one of my earliest life lessons, remains a cornerstone family tradition.Family dynamics change.But there's ALWAYS room for one more at the table.I offer this bit of information this morning to the latest persons to have experienced the Lawrence Family Hospitality; David and Sheila Parker from Southampton U.K. who are just rounding out a ( much too brief) 2 week visit.They met Mom ( finest problem solver the world ever saw), and Dad ( who never met a "stranger" in his life), last winter in Barbados and after discovering some remarkable parallels and shared experiences in their lives, they became "lifelong friends" instantly.Their visit had been eagerly anticipated like "long lost relatives" and despite the weather, Mom and Dad managed a pretty full and interesting itinerary mix of culture, recreation and "down home" family get-togethers.I'm not privy to all the shared experiences that those people find to talk about for hours on end.They're nearly the same age, so despite being an ocean apart I'm sure they've faced similar challenges and some of the same generic family crises.In the conversations I've had with the fun-loving "curmudgeon wanna-be" David, and the elegantly charming Sheila, I've reaffirmed my good fortune in being a member of my family.The near incredulous delight in their eyes is like the light of God's love and the bright hopeful hearts of my family which led me from the darkness.The warmth of their gratitude poignantly reminds me of the oasis of my family's love that sheltered me when my spirit was far, far from home.How perfect strangers meeting in a strange place less than a year ago are today's Aunty Sheila and Uncle David lighting up the children's faces, sharing drinks and colorful jokes with the boys and gossip and recipes with the gals is a testament to the universal wonder and magic of sharing.Like a shared loaf of day-old bread in lean times past, everyone gets a nice slice of peace, prosperity and joy at our family's table nowadays.It's the way it's always been my friend. ( but with fresh bathwater)It's a Family business.G'day and God Bless.Love tImMy:/
Laugh as much as you breathe...
Love as long as you live ( spot on )
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