A Step in the Write Direction--June 22, 2015--Tribute to Dad

A Step in the Write Direction

June 22, 2015

Update: I held this up until I had my doctor’s appointment today to let you know what’s going on. MRI showed multiple rotator cuff tears, a ruptured tendon, and a bicep out of place in my right shoulder (of course, it would be my right one!). They decided to try physical therapy for a month and see if that works. I’m still praying for a complete healing without surgery!...Hope your husbands and sons—if any—had a good Father’s Day yesterday. Our church shows pictures of fathers on the screen and it was a little hard on our two kids. They brought a pizza over here afterwards and we shared stories….Ended up canceling my trip to Tennessee to see my brother, and the conference in Kentucky. Turned out that my brother was admitted to the hospital so it wouldn’t have been a good time. Will go later.

Thought for the Day: “When someone dies…those left behind will grieve…like someone they love has left home. In reality, however, Christians aren’t leaving home; they’re going home. They will be there before us” (Barbara Baumgardner, “Journey of Hope,” in Treasures for Women Who Hope, Alice Gray, ed., p. 231).

Note on above: This quotation came Wes Tracy’s “Manna Morsel” that I receive every day. Wes is a friend in Sun City, Arizona, who was at one time the editor of our denominational magazine. He sent the above last week the day after his wife of 64.9 years passed away.

Song for Today: (pick one of the following in today’s Writer’s Tips.

Laugh for Today: During a recent password check by a company, it found that an employee was using the following password: “MinnieMinniePlutoHueyLouieDeweyDonaldGoofy Sacramento.” When asked why she had such a long password, she said, “Hello! It has to be at least 8 characters and include at least one capital.”

Writer’s Tips (More Writing for Newspapers next week. This is my tribune for Father’s Day:

Singing for Our Dad

                          In days gone by we'd gather 'round

The piano we once had,

We'd sing the songs we children liked,

Then up would speak our dad:

"Sing this one song," he used to say,

"I sang it as a lad."

He'd hum a bit of a favorite song,

And we'd sing it for our dad:

            Amazing grace! how sweet the sound,

            That sav'd a wretch like me!

            I once was lost, but now am found,

            Was blind, but now I see.

The years passed by; we moved away,

Then a call came on the phone,

"Your dad is sick," and once again

We gathered at our home.

"Please sing for me," his voice was weak,

"The words I do not know,

But let me hear you sing again

As you did so long ago."

            Precious mem'ries, how they linger,

            How they ever flood my soul,

            In the stillness of the midnight,

            Precious, sacred scenes unfold.

A year went by, then one more call,

"Your dad won't last the night."

We caught the plane, but he was gone

'Ere we could end our flight.

But though he's gone, those words he said,

I still can dimly hear,

"Please sing for me, just one more time,"

This song I love so dear":

            When I get to the end of the way,

            I will rest at the close of the day,

            And the toils of the road will seem nothing,

            When I get to the end of the way.

Yes, now he's gone, but one glad day,

We'll meet him on that shore,

Our family all will gather 'round,

And we shall part no more.

We'll laugh and cry and reminisce

Of memories we once had,

And then, for all eternity,

We'll sit and sing with Dad.

            Will the circle be unbroken

            By and by, Lord, by and by,

            In a better home awaiting

            In the sky, Lord, in the sky.

 Have a good week spreading the

gospel through the printed page.

Donna Clark Goodrich

dgood648@aol.com

www.thewritersfriend.net

http://donna-goodrich.blogspot.com

·          100-Plus Motivational Moments for Writers and Speakers – half-price $5, $2.69 s&h (This is free if you purchase 5 other books.)

·           A Step in the Write Direction—the Complete How-to Guide for Christian Writers—on sale for half-price--$12.50, $3.22 s&h (Only 16 left!)

·          A Step in the Write Direction—Student Edition with assignments throughout—on sale for half-price $10, $2.69 s&h)

·          The Freedom of Letting Go (new one coming out will have discussion questions; can be used in S.S. class or small group); original copies without questions now on sale for half-price--$7.50, $2.69 s&h

·          Healing in God’s Time (story of Dave Clark, composer of 25 songs that have gone to #1 on the charts); was $15; now $10, $2.69 s&h

·          The Little Book of Big Laughs—105 purse/pocket-size book of clean jokes—$5; up to 4 for same s&h—$2.69

·          Preparing Your Heart for Christmas (31 Advent Devotions) half-price—$5

·          Michigan and Ohio Cookbooks; half-price $5 each, plus s&h (depending on number ordered)