Monday, May 10, 2010

Why is the American Flag Folded Thirteen Times?

Have you ever wondered why the flag of the United States of America is folded 13 times when it is lowered or when it is folded at the burial of a veteran?

Here is the meaning of each of those folds and what it means to you:

The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life.

The second fold is a symbol of our belief in eternal life.

The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of all veterans departing our ranks who gave a portion of their lives for the defense of our country to attain peace throughout the world.

The fourth fold represents our weaker nature, for as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well as in times of war for His divine guidance.

The fifth fold is a tribute to our country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, “Our Country, in dealing with other countries may she always be right: but still our country, right or wrong.”

The sixth fold is where our hearts lie.  It is with our hears that we pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God with Liberty and Justice for all.

The seventh fold is a tribute to our Armed Forces, for it is through the Armed Forces that we protect our country and our flag against all her enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of her republic.

The eighth fold is a tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day, and to honor mother, for whom it flies on Mother’s Day.

The ninth fold is a tribute to womanhood; for it has been through their faith, their love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the men and women who  have made this country great has been molded.

The tenth fold is a tribute to the father, for he, too has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since they were first born.

The eleventh fold, in the eyes of the Hebrew citizen, represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon, and glorifies in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

The twelfth fold, in the eyes of the Christian citizen, represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies in their eyes the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

When the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our nation’s motto, “In God we trust”.

After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the soldiers who served under General George Washington, and the sailors and marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones, who were followed by their comrades and shipmates in the Armed Forces of the United States, preserving for us the rights, privileges and freedoms we enjoy today.

MY MOTHER!

My son, sent me an email with the following in it.  I thought you might enjoy reading it/

 

1.  My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE.

     “If you’re going to kill each other, do it outside, I just finished cleaning.”

2.  My mother taught me RELIGION.

     “You better pray that will come out of the carpet.”

3.  My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL.

     “If you don’t straighten up, I’m going to knock you into the middle of next week.”

4.  My mother taught me LOGIC.

     “Because I said so, that’s why.”

5.  My mother taught me MORE LOGIC.

     “If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you’re not going to the store with me.”

6.  My mother taught me FORESIGHT.

     “Make sure you wear clean underwear in case you’re in an accident.”

7.  My mother taught me IRONY.

     “Keep crying, and I’ll give you something to cry about…”

8.  My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS.

     “Shut your mouth and eat your supper.”

9.  My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM.

     “Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!”

10. My mother taught me about STAMINA.

     “You’ll sit there until all that spinach is gone.”

11. My mother taught me about WEATHER.

     “This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it.”

12. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY.

     “If I told you once, I’ve told you a million times. Don’t exaggerate!”

13. My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE.

     “I brought you into this world and I can take you out.”

14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION.

     “Stop acting like your father!”

15. My mother taught me about ENVY.

     “There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don’t have wonderful parents like you do.”

16. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION.

     “Just wait until we get home.”

17. My mother taught me about RECEIVING.

     “You are going to get it when you get home!”

18. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE.

     “If you don’t stop crossing your eyes, they are going to get stuck that way.”

19. My mother taught me ESP.

     “Put your sweater on; don’t you think I know when you are cold?”

20. My mother taught me HUMOR.

     “When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don’t come running to me.”

21. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT.

     “If you don’t eat your vegetables, you’ll never grow up.

22. My mother taught me GENETICS.

     “You’re just like your father.”

23. My mother taught me about my ROOTS.

     “Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?”

24. My taught me WISDOM.

     “When you get to be my age, you’ll understand.”

And my favorite:

15. My mother taught me about JUSTICE.

     “One day you’ll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you! Pay Back.”

Saturday, May 8, 2010

SOMETHING TO CHEER ABOUT

This post was the editorial in the 9/25/99 edition in the Coastland Times. I cried when I read it sitting at my desk that day and I cried again as I posted it today.

    “ Saturday’s football games were undoubtedly the last thing on the minds of most flood victims of eastern North Carolina.  But there were at least 20 of them on the East Carolina team facing its biggest game of the year under almost impossible circumstances.

     By now, you probably know the story even if you aren’t a big football fan ---  how the Pirates overcame just about every obstacle one might imagine, including a 20-point deficit, to beat ninth-ranked Miami, ironically the Hurricanes, and join the elite of the nation’s top 25 teams at number 19 in the latest AP poll.

     In the first half of Saturday night’s game --- a home game played away from home at Raleigh because of the flooding in Greenville --- they looked like a team that had been stranded in Columbia, South Carolina, for a week with only the clothes on its back and without sufficient means to fully prepare.

     The 27-23 victory, however, was no fluke.  This is a Pirates team with a good deal of talent, pride and an immensely competitive spirit; what sports writers call heart.

     It has never had the following of UNC or NC State, but it can sure play with the big dogs.  The 1974-79 teams had 48 victories to 43 for State and 40 for UNC. In 1983, the Pirates lost only three games --- by one point to Florida State, by seven to Florida and by five to eventual national champion Miami.

     And then there was that 1991 come from behind victory by ninth-ranked ECU over NC State in the Peach Bowl that captured the national attention, but nothing like the past Saturday night’s victory.

     The best may lie ahead for the 1999 Pirates but for now they have proven that they, like other victims of hurricane Floyd, will not stay down; they they will overcome, whatever the odds.

     The gave the entire state, as well as the nation, something to cheer about.”

Note-the reference to being stranded in Columbia, SC was exactly what had happened to the team.

Friday, May 7, 2010

RANDOM THOUGHTS

The Images of Mother

4 years of age-my Mommy can do anything!

8 years of age-my Mom knows a lot! A whole lot!

12 years of age-my Mother doesn’t really know quite everything.

14 years of age-naturally, Mother doesn’t know that, either.

16 years of age-Mother? She’s hopelessly old-fashioned.

18 years of age-that old woman? She’s way out of date!

25 years of age-well, she might know a little about it!

35 years of age-before we decide, let’s get Mom’s opinion.

45 years of age-wonder that Mom would have thought about it?

65 years of age-wish I could talk it over with Mom.

 

 

The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure she carries, or the way she combs her hair. 

The beauty of a woman must be seen from in her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, the place where love resides.

The beauty of a woman is not in a facial mole, but true beauty in a woman is reflected in her soul. 

It is the caring that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows, and the beauty of a woman with passing years only grows!

 

Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it every day.

Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well.

Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken.

Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford.

Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day.

When you love somebody, your eyelashes to up and down and little stars come out of you. (what an image!)

You really shouldn’t say “I love you” unless you mean it.  But if you mean it, you should say it a lot.  People forget.

When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn’t bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too.  That’s love.

When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different.  You just know that your name is safe in their mouth.

 

For those with no children—this is hysterical!

For those who already have children past this age, this is hilarious. For those who have children this age, this is not funny.  For those who have children nearing this age, this is a warning. For those who have not yet had children, this is birth control.

                      Things I’ve learned from my children – honest and no kidding!

A king size waterbed holds enough water to fill a 2000 sq. ft. house 4 inches deep.

If you spray hair spray on dust bunnies and run over them with roller blades, they can ignite.

A 3 years old voice is louder than 200 adults in a crowded restaurant.,

If you hook a dog leash over a ceiling fan, the motor is not strong enough to rotate a 42 pound boy wearing Batman underwear and a Superman cape.  It is strong enough, however, if tied to a paint can, to spread paint on all four walls of a 20 x 20 foot room.

You should not throw baseballs up when the ceiling fan is on. When using a ceiling fan as a bat, you have to throw the ball up a few times before you get a hit. A ceiling fan can hit a baseball a long way.

The glass in windows (even double-pane) doesn’t  stop a baseball hit by a ceiling fan.

When you hear the toilet flush and the words “uh oh”, it’s already too late.

Brake fluid mixed with Clorox makes smoke, and lots of it.

A six year old can start a fire with a flint rock even though a 36 year old man says they can only do it in the movies.

Certain Lego blocks will pass through the digestive tract of a 4 year old.,

Play dough and microwave should not be used in the same sentence.

Super glue is forever.

No matter how much Jell-O you put in a swimming pool, you still can’t walk on water.

Pool filters do not like Jell-O.

VCRs do not eject PB&J sandwiches even though TV commercials show they do.

Garbage bags do not make good parachutes.

Marbles in gas tanks make lots of noise when driving.

You probably do not want to know what that odor is.

Always look in the oven before you turn it on; plastic toys do not like ovens.

The spin cycle on the washing machine does not make earthworms dizzy.

It will, however, make cats dizzy.

60% of men who read this will try mixing the Clorox and brake fluid.

 

 

IF YOU DON’T UNDERSTAND LIFE…JUST ASK KIDS

A mother was preparing pancakes for her sons, Kevin (5) and Bryan (3). The boys began to argue over who would get the first pancake. Their mother saw the opportunity for a moral lesson. “If Jesus were sitting here, He would say, Let my brother have the first pancake, I can wait.” Kevin turned to his younger brother and said, “Bryan, you be Jesus.”

A wife invited some people to dinner. At the table, she turned to their six year old daughter and said, “Would you like to say the blessing?” “I wouldn’t know what to say,” the little girl replied.  “Just way what you hear Mommy say”, the wife answered.  The daughter bowed her head and said, “Lord, why on earth did I invite all these people to dinner?”

A father was reading Bible stories to his young son. He read, “The man named Lot was warned to take his wife and flee out of the city, but his wife looked back and turned to salt.”  His son asked, “what happened to the flea?”

Another 3 year old put his shoes on by himself. His mother noticed that the left shoe was on the right foot.  She said, “Son, your shoes are on the wrong feet.” He looked up at her with a raised brow and said, “Don’t kid me Mom. They are the only feet I got.”

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY

Since Sunday is Mother’s Day, I thought I would share some of the poems, notes, etc. that I have collected over the years about Mother’s Day.  Hope you enjoy them.

 

MOTHER’S WINGS

When they were little boys, I’d try

To dry each tearful, tiny eye---

To pick them up each time they’d fall--

And calm their fears, both great and small.

A mother hen, with wings outstretched,

In memory, the scene is etched,

Of me, their mother, hovering near---

Protecting them, my children dear.

As time passed by, how they did grow!

Those little boys, whom I loved so!

Yes, they grew tall—shed childish things,

No longer fitting ‘neath my wings.

Then by and by, I knew that they

With their own wings, would fly away!

No longer boys, but young men each,

At last, they flew out of my reach!

Though as a “Mom”, I’d done my best,

With pain, I viewed my empty nest.

The pain of birth, by mothers shared,

Is mild, when to this pain compared.

But now, God’s Spirit comforts me!

I look into His Book and see

His wings protect my precious two,

Far better than my own can do!

This was written by Nancy Pearl Walker, a dear Christian lady that attends my church.  She writes such beautiful poetry and you know it all comes straight from her heart.

The next item is from an article in the Coastland Times several years ago.  Judge Edgar L. Barnes used to have a column called “View from the Bench” and this is his article for Mother’s Day.

It has been so aptly said that the mother holds the key of the soul; and she is it who stamps the coin of character, and makes the being who would be a savage but for her gentle caress, a (moral) man.

This week we set aside a day to honor our beloved mothers, of course conceding that a century of days would be inadequate to accomplish this aim, but not to try would be the epitome of irreverence.

Dear Mama,

  Thank you for giving me birth when your doctors encouraged you not to let my budding life continue. Thank you for rocking me to sleep and for reading me bedtime stories from the Bible. For tending to all my cuts, bruises, abrasions and for kissing my boo-boos. For sitting up with me all those nights when I was sick.

For helping me pick up the whole peck of blueberries I spilled when running to proudly show you that I had picked them. For swooning over the flowers I gave you even though I picked them from your flower beds.

For chasing down the school bus when I left my Dick and Jane reader on it. For insisting that I work during the summers to earn my own money to buy my own clothes.  For wearing those outfits much longer than you should have in order that we could have more.

For teaching me to respect all life, human and animals. Thank you for teaching me manners, and respect for my elders and authority, and that work did not always have to be a burden. For all those birthday parties.

For holding my hand when I broke my arm and foot and got stitches. For staying with me all those days and nights in the hospital. For smoothing down the edges of dad’s temper before he gave me what I deserved. For all those wonderful Christmases. For always encouraging me to study harder.

Thank you for all those prayers that kept me safe when I acted irresponsibly. For all that delicious fried chicken. For waking me up early to share the glory of the Star of Bethlehem on that special Christmas.

For letting us have all those pets regardless of all the trouble. For the trumpet and braces I know you and dad couldn’t afford. For the never-ending love in your eyes, comfort in your touch and encouragement in your voice.

For forgiving me when I didn’t deserve it. For agreeing with me that Michele was the one. For loving my dad. For living the love of Christ.

Thank you Mom for loving my children more than you love me.

A tribute to Ethelene Russ Barns.

God save this State and this Honorable Court. Court’s adjourned.

 

 

Making the decision to have a child is momentous. It is to decide forever to have your heart walking around outside your body.

 

 

IN MOTHER’S HEART

By: Cynthia Morgan Dickens

(my adopted daughter)

A child’s hands holding tiny toys--

The treasures of small girls and boys;

Those hands that will draw unique art

Are intertwined in Mother’s heart.

A doll or bat are in the hands

That grow too fast for Mother’s plans.

Though growth marks are high on the chart,

The baby hands are in Mom’s heart.

And still they sprout and grow and change.

Mom wonders why they act so strange;

And though they may be miles apart,

Those hands will stay in Mother’s heart.