Don't ever forget


Your presence is a gift to the world,
You’re unique and one of a kind.
Your life can be what you want it to be -
Take it one day at a time.

Count your blessings, not your troubles,
And you’ll make it through what comes along.
Within you are so many answers,
Understand, have courage, be strong.

Don’t put limits on yourself,
Your dreams are waiting to be realized.
Don’t leave your important decisions to chance -
Reach for your peak, your goal, and your prize.

Nothing wastes more energy than worrying -
The longer a problem is carried, the heavier it gets.
Don’t take things too seriously -
Live a life of serenity, not a life of regrets.

Remember that a little love goes a long way -
Remember that a lot goes forever.
Remember that friendship is a wise investment,
Life’s treasures are people… together.

Have health and hope and happiness,
Take the time to wish on a star.
And don’t ever forget for even a day…
How very special YOU are!

Douglas Pagels




Dandelions or Mud Puddles


When I look at a patch of dandelions,
I see a bunch of weeds that are going to take over my yard.
My kids see flowers for Mom and blowing white fluff you can wish on.

When I look at an old drunk and he smiles at me,
I see a smelly, dirty person who probably wants money and I look away.
My kids see someone smiling at them and they smile back.

When I hear music I love, I know I cannot carry a tune
and do not have much rhythm so I sit self-consciously and listen.
My kids feel the beat and move to it. They sing out the words.
If they do not know them, they make up their own.

When I feel wind on my face, I brace myself against it.
I feel it messing up my hair and pulling me back when I walk.
My kids close their eyes, spread their arms, and fly with it,
until they fall to the ground laughing.

When I pray, I say thee and thou and grant me this, give me that.
My kids say, “Hi God! Thanks for my toys and my friends.
Please keep the bad dreams away tonight.
Sorry, I do not want to go to Heaven yet.
I would miss my Mommy and Daddy.”

When I see a mud puddle I step around it. I see muddy shoes and dirty carpets.
My kids sit in it. They see dams to build, rivers to cross and worms to play with.

I wonder if we are given kids to teach or to learn from.
No wonder God loves the little children!

“Enjoy the little things in life,
for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.”

(final quote commonly attributed to Antonio Smith)