Life Wisdom From Dad

My son recently asked for life wisdom efforts I had learned over the course of my years:

1. Begin every life journey with prayer and seeking the Lord’s wisdom in Scripture and the counsel of Godly people.

2. Expect the unexpected because the Lord orders our steps. A misstep, a failure or a barrier does not mean your journey is not from the Lord. It may be a course change.

3. Never stop learning.

4. Always speak and write correctly.

5. Prepare a plan and be flexible to a change by the Holy Spirit.

6. God comes first, and family is a close second. Do not ignore your family.

7. Treat everyone with respect regardless of age, gender and ethnicity.

8. Asking for help is not a sign of weakness.

9. Always be thankful for what you have. Do not dwell on what you do not have.

10. Enjoy your life journey and always encourage others.

Robert Parlante

August 2018

Small and Insignificant Moments

This past weekend I celebrated a special birthday with my family, including the grandkids. I enjoyed our time together and was really blessed by the book of favorite memories presented by the grandkids. The opening page of the book set the tone of what was to follow.

“Poppy, you never hesitate to tell us how much you love us! So now it is our turn …”

Here’s a summary of their reflective memories:

Everyone loved the beach house, spending the day surfing the ocean, and coming back to the main house to Grammy preparing a meal (salt air makes you hungry!). To this day, the grandkids remember meatballs cooking in homemade tomato sauce with lemon cake for dessert

There is more food memories. Another remembers sitting in a French pastry shop with me eating coconut macarons while waiting for a train from eastern Carolina to arrive. That night she realized we both love macarons and we now had one more bond between us.

Most of my grandkids needed help (on occasion) with writing assignments and other school projects. Building soda bottle rockets was my favorite. They remembered chaotic family vacations and laughing around the dining room table listening to childhood stories.

The beach house was a favorite memory-maker with everyone. There were so many family celebrations that strengthened relationships among all.

The grandkids remember tagging along with me when I visited the nursing home. Our lives were strengthened by each other, and at the same time, positively challenging each other to open their heart to the needs of others. Another grandson saw wisdom in older adults and committed to make family members proud of his hard work and achievements.

Looking back, the grandkids saw unplanned time together as moments to teach them something. I helped with challenging school-work and demonstrated unmeasurable love toward them.

Life is full of Small and seemingly Insignificant Moments. At first glance it appears like not much is happening at those times.

The reality is, every moment, large or small, is a teachable moment.

Robert Parlante

August 2018