It is listening!
Not judging, not telling your own story.

Support is not offering advice…
It is offering a handkerchief, a touch, a hug…caring.

We are here to help women discover what they are feeling…
Not to make their feelings go away.

We are here to discuss steps with a woman…
Not to take the steps for her.

We are here to help a woman discover her own strength…
Not to rescue her and leave her still vulnerable.

We are here to help a woman discover she can help herself…
Not to take the responsibility for her.

We are here to help a woman learn to choose…
Not to make it unnecessary for her to make difficult choices.

This day is a special gift from God.
There are many who saw yesterday’s sunset
yet have not seen today’s sunrise. But I
have been given another day of opportunity;
a day to learn and grow.

Today I will sift through the experiences
of past days. I will store up knowledge and
wisdom as treasures, and discard hatred and
jealousies as trash to be burned. I will turn
to God in times of joy as well as in times of sorrow.

Today I will laugh and play with children, love
and assist the elderly, heed the advice of the righteous.

I will smell the roses even though I may suffer
the pricks of thorns. I will strive for the
mountain tops, overcoming steep cliffs and loose
boulders each step of the way; but always feeling
the wind of God’s love blowing in my face.

Today I will arm myself against emotions which
tend to destroy. I will replace anger with love,
sadness with joy, hurt with pity. I will counsel
when counsel is needed; but be silent when someone
speaks; always praying for guidance from the Lord.

I will be firm when firmness is called for. I will
weep with those who weep and laugh with those who
laugh. I will fear no person; for God has given me
this day and no man can take it away without His
prior approval.

And if God is willing that I see tomorrow’s sunrise,
I will have even more treasures to store… treasures
where moth and rust do not destroy and no thief can steal.

- – - written by Steven L. Blanchard

Tiny handprints grow so fast
Their awkward groping soon will clasp
A ball, a book, a sweetheart’s hand,
A diploma, breifcase, wedding band.

Tiny handprints grow so strong
It doesn’t take them very long
To snap a shirt, to paint, to draw,
To labor hard, to drive a car.

Tiny handprints grow to be
A person that is quite unique
A wonderful mix of so many things
With his(her) own feelings, thoughts and dreams.

Tiny handprints grow to rely
On his (her) parents to bring him up just right
His (Her) parents pray that when he’s (she’s)grown
He’ll (she’ll) say their job has been well done.

Tiny handprints are ours to love
The sweetest gift from God above
A miracle that never is surpassed
How sad they grow up way too fast.