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Across the Fence:  Treasured Wisdom  |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
 Posted - Nov 13 2010 : 4:06:49 PM
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Hi farmgirls! When my grandparents got on in years, they moved into an elderly housing complex, where I was soon adopted by so many wonderfully warm, loving and extremely wise and interesting new Grandmas and Grandpas. One sweet lady in particular, "little Miss Mary Beadie," as my Grandma would call her, was dearest to my heart AND Grandma's. She was well into her 90's, a petite little thing; quite frail, but with a bright spirit and delightful sense of humor. She'd always welcome me with a big, warm hug and a peck on the cheek, all the while recalling one of the little ditties she learned as a young child in her native Scotland. She took great pride in reciting every single one with full clarity; her sing-song-y voice absolutely ringing with her rich Scottish brogue. She knew how much I loved them, so one day she surprised me with a gift: an entire set of these poems in her own handwriting! I absolutely treasure them, and keep them safely tucked away in my Bible. Their wisdom continually speaks to me, and like little Miss Mary, I think they should be shared, too! So here is one of my favorites - one that, as I read it, I still hear her voice. I really hope you enjoy it, too:
Life
Life is a story in volumes three
The past, the present, the yet to be
The first is finished and laid away
The second we are living day by day
The third and last of the volumes three
Is hidden from sight, God keeping the key
Old friends, old memories would happier be
If more of love in each we see.
Miss Mary gave me so many others, too - ones about life, one written by servicemen in WWI, one about getting old, about God going on strike, etc. Sadly, my absolute favorite poem is missing, but I do remember the words. I'll share it with you soon. I would love to share them ALL with you, actually, if you'd like! Since there are so many, though, I may have to spread them out over the next few weeks, rather than posting them all at once... but just one more for now:
Pennies
Now what is the use of a penny
Of no use at all do you say
But always take care of the pennies my child
The pennies that you throw away
The pennies will turn into shillings (dollars)
The shillings will turn into gold
So always take care of your pennies my child
They will take care of you when you are old
Please let me know if you'd like me to post them! And if you have any you'd like to share - please do! :)
Hugs - Nini
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
Farmgirl Sister #1974 |
Edited by - Ninibini on Nov 14 2010 06:46:21 AM |
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KathyC
True Blue Farmgirl
583 Posts
Kathy
Gastonia
NC
USA
583 Posts |
Posted - Nov 13 2010 : 7:44:59 PM
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Nini,
Such a nice story about little Miss Mary. I love your poems and would like to hear more. My daughter does calligraphy and I may have her pen "LIFE". I like the pennies poem too, I'm one of those people that will stop to pick up every penny I see.
Thanks for sharing and I look forward to more.
Kathy |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
Posted - Nov 13 2010 : 8:31:38 PM
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Thanks, Kathy! I'm so glad you enjoyed them! I'll try to get to some more tomorrow! :) - Nini
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
Farmgirl Sister #1974 |
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Cindy Lou
True Blue Farmgirl
2325 Posts
Susan
Lonsdale
MN
USA
2325 Posts |
Posted - Nov 13 2010 : 8:44:34 PM
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I really enjoyed your post and would love to read more of the poems. Keep them coming!
Susan
"Tell me, what is it you plan to do with your one wild and precious life?"
Mary Oliver |
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Annika
True Blue Farmgirl
5602 Posts
Annika
USA
5602 Posts |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
Posted - Nov 14 2010 : 06:45:11 AM
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:) I knew you all would like them!
Oh - and Kathy - her note says that the "Pennies" poem is "an old English Jingle, about 100 years old." Still so true today, huh?!
Okay - this is the one that we'd say together, but I've lost the copy in her handwriting, which breaks my heart. I had been showing them to a women's group one time, and it must've somehow slipped out of the pile. :( It's my absolute favorite!
On Perseverence...
When things go wrong as they sometimes will
When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill
When the funds are low and the debts are high
And you want to smile but you have to sigh
When care is pressing you down a bit
Rest if you must - but do not quit!
Life is queer with its twists and turns
As every one of us sometimes learns
And many a failure turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out
Don’t give up though the pace seems slow
You may succeed with another blow
Often the goal is nearer than
It seems to a faint and faltering man
Often the struggler has given up
When he might have captured the victor’s cup
And he learned too late when the night slipped down
How close he was to the golden crown
Success is failure turned inside out
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt
And you never can tell how close you are
It may be near when it seems so far
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit
It’s when things seem worst that you must not quit!
It's so funny because whenever something unexpected happens, the first thing I hear in my head is her heavily accented voice saying, "Life is queer with its twists and turns..." Isn't that just the truth, though?! :)
Here's another:
For words that are lightly spoken
And meant but half in jest
May fall with the bitterest meaning
On the hearts we love the best.
And with this one, I can just imagine her by the sink, wearing her apron, reciting this day after day...
Thank God for dirty dishes
They have a tale to tell
When other folks go hungry
We are eating very well
For health and home and happiness
We never need to fuss
For by this stack of evidence
God has been very good to us!
And here's the last one for today:
Lord thank you for this new day
Since I messed up yesterday so badly...
I'll post more tomorrow or later tonight for you all. Enjoy! :) - Nini
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
Farmgirl Sister #1974 |
Edited by - Ninibini on Nov 14 2010 08:11:07 AM |
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Annika
True Blue Farmgirl
5602 Posts
Annika
USA
5602 Posts |
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Fiddlehead Farm
True Blue Farmgirl
4562 Posts
Diane
Waupaca
WI
USA
4562 Posts |
Posted - Nov 14 2010 : 08:01:00 AM
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All these poems are wonderful and ring very true! Thanks for sharing them, they are treasures.
http://studiodiphotosite.shutterfly.com/
farmgirl sister #922
Happy to be a "Raggedy Ann" in a Barbie World!
I get up every morning determined to both change the world and have one hell of a good time. Sometimes this makes planning my day difficult.
- E. B. White |
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Sandra K. Licher
True Blue Farmgirl
1106 Posts
Sandra
Horseshoe Bend
Arkansas
1106 Posts |
Posted - Nov 14 2010 : 7:42:42 PM
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Thank you Nini...for the story of Mary and her "ditties"...that last one about persistence I have heard several times recently....I think God is sending me a message! Please keep posting them....sort of like the countdown to Christmas! I'll look forward to it! You are So sweet! And may remind you again that you are a gifted writer. Have you ever been published? At the very least MJ should snatch you up for her magazine!
Sam in AR..... "It's a great life if you don't weaken!"
Farmgirl Sister #226
www.farmgirlsam.blogspot.com |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
Posted - Nov 14 2010 : 9:39:56 PM
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Thank you so much, Sandra (or do you prefer Sam?)! You are way too kind! I've never been published - no. I just write from the heart and that's what comes. :) Unfortunately, I can be just as talkative at times - especially first thing in the morning. My bleary eyed hubby usually tries to drown out my morning "enthusiasm" with a big old honkin' bowl of crunchy cold cereal! Poor guy! LOL! All kidding aside, though, I really would love to write professionally. 'Only thing is, I don't think they make a cereal that can help anyone with that! LOL! ;) Thank you for the encouragement, really - I deeply appreciate it! It's always so much fun watching God's plan for us unfold... You never know - it could happen! :)
Isn't it neat - all the different ways we receive clear signs from our Father? That's so great He encouraged you in that way! If you ever need specific prayer, please email me - I'd love to do that for you!
Hugs, Nini
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
Farmgirl Sister #1974 |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
Posted - Nov 15 2010 : 12:17:32 PM
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Okay, girls -
Here are today's words of wisdom from Little Miss Mary Beadie's writings - enjoy!
(1) Let Us Smile
The thing that goes the farthest
Towards making life worthwhile
That costs the least and does the most
Is just a pleasant smile
It's full of worth and goodness too
With many kindnesses blest
It's worth a million dollars
And doesn't cost a cent
-----
(2) She wrote that this is by Edgar Guest:
It's easy enough to be pleasant
When life flows by like a song
But the man worthwhile
Is the one who will smile
When everything goes dead wrong
What a sweetie she was! Just reading these makes me miss her all the more!
Hugs to you all - Nini
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
Farmgirl Sister #1974 |
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Sandra K. Licher
True Blue Farmgirl
1106 Posts
Sandra
Horseshoe Bend
Arkansas
1106 Posts |
Posted - Nov 15 2010 : 5:14:28 PM
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Thank you again, Nini! I love these. So true! I haven't done anything very wonderful in my life but I have been blessed and for that I feel the least I can do is smile and be happy. I know as a parent that what makes me happiest is when my children are healthy and happy so I figure the best way I can show my honor and gratitude to God, the parent, is to take good care of myself and be happy. Nothing like the Nobel Peace prize or anything but it's the least I can do.
I am like you...I hit the floor singing "Here I Come to Save the Day! Mighty Woman is on the way!" I have so much joy and enthusiasm in the morning! The "girls", 2 dogs and a cat....they just sigh and go back to sleep! LOL!
Sam in AR..... "It's a great life if you don't weaken!"
Farmgirl Sister #226
www.farmgirlsam.blogspot.com |
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Violets November
True Blue Farmgirl
342 Posts
Violet
Exeter
California
USA
342 Posts |
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Alee
True Blue Farmgirl
22941 Posts
Alee
Worland
Wy
USA
22941 Posts |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
Posted - Nov 16 2010 : 8:52:17 PM
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Hi girls! Sorry this is so late - I just wanted to get this in before it's tomorrow! SO glad you're all enjoying these as much as I do! (Alee - that's a great idea!).
Little Miss Mary wrote that this is an old English hymn from around 1640:
There's A Friend For Little Children
There's a friend for little children
Above the bright blue sky
A Friend who never faileth
Whose love will never die
No earthly friend is like Him
Nor can with Him compare
This Friend is always worthy
Of that dear Name He Bears
There's a Home for little children
Above the bright blue sky
And all who look to Jesus
Will find it bye and bye
No earthly home is like it
Nor can with it compare
For everyone is happy
Nor could be happier there
Theres a rest for little children
Above the bright blue sky
A rest that never wearies
Tho rest continually
A rest from every turmoil
From sin and sorrow free
Where all the little children
Shall rest eternally.
Yeah.. this one is a little sad to me, but very sweet with hope and promise, too. :) More tomorrow - Nini
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
Farmgirl Sister #1974 |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
Posted - Nov 17 2010 : 07:26:55 AM
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Good morning, ladies! I'm sitting here waiting to leave for a funeral this morning. There has been a huge water main break, and we're waiting to hear if anyone will be allowed down the road to get into the funeral home and then over to the church. Ugh. What a thing! SO, I'm taking a moment here to share with you today's wisdom from Little Miss Mary:
To Friends of the Handicap(ped)
Blessed are you who take the time
To listen to difficult speech
For you help me to know
That if I persevere
I can be understood
Blessed are you who never bid me to hurry up
Or take my tasks from me
And do them for me
For I often need time
Rather than help
Blessed are you who stand beside me
As I enter new and untried ventures
For my failures will be outweighed
By the time I surprise myself and you
Blessed are you who understand
That it is difficult for me
To put my thoughts into words
Blessed are you who with a smile
Encourage me to try once more
Blessed are you who never remind me
That I have asked the same question twice
Blessed are you who respect me
And love me - just as I am
Blessed are you who ask for my help
For my greatest need
Is to be needed
Wow. I think I'm going to email this one to CJ, too! :)
Happy day! - Nini
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
Farmgirl Sister #1974 |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
Posted - Nov 18 2010 : 11:41:27 AM
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Little Miss Mary's wisdom for today:
From Author Stephen Gillett:
I shall pass this way but once
Any good thing therefore I can do
Any kindness I can show to any human being
Let me do it now
Let me not defer it or neglect it
For I shall not pass this way again
----
By Author Charles Kingsley, about 150 years ago:
Be good sweet maid,
And let who will be clever
Do noble deeds,
Not dream them all day long
And so make life
And that vast forever
One grand sweet song
-- Nini
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
Farmgirl Sister #1974 |
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delicia
True Blue Farmgirl
917 Posts
delicia
cincinnati
ohio
USA
917 Posts |
Posted - Nov 18 2010 : 8:46:31 PM
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Nini, thank you for sharing. I loved the poems and look forward to more.
d |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
Posted - Nov 19 2010 : 12:08:23 PM
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Here's today's little blessing from Little Miss Mary Beadie:
May there always be work for your hands to do
May your purse always have a coin or two
May the sun always shine on your window pane
May a rainbow be certain to follow rain
May the hand of a friend always be near you
May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you
:) - Nini
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
Farmgirl Sister #1974 |
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violetrose
True Blue Farmgirl
960 Posts
Ruth
Epworth
GA
USA
960 Posts |
Posted - Nov 19 2010 : 12:30:43 PM
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Hi Nini, I just found this thread! Wow - what a blessing to have had her in your life! I know you can hear her voice as you read "her" poems! Thank you so much for taking the time to share them with us - The elderly have so much wisdom to give, if we would just stop and listen!
Please keep sharing them.
Did the water main get fixed so you could attend the funeral?
Hugs, Ruth
Farmgirl Sister # 1738
God loves each one of us as if there were only one of us!
St. Augustine |
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foreverbooks
True Blue Farmgirl
514 Posts
Carole
Tombstone
AZ
USA
514 Posts |
Posted - Nov 19 2010 : 12:36:16 PM
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Nini, thank you so much for sharing Little Miss Mary's wisdom.
Carole
In light, love, and friendship! |
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Ninibini
True Blue Farmgirl
7577 Posts
Nini
Pennsylvania
USA
7577 Posts |
Posted - Nov 19 2010 : 1:37:20 PM
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You're welcome, girls! I'm so glad you're enjoying them!
You're absolutely right, Ruth! My grandparents and their friends were some of my most favorite people in the whole world. I learned a lot, and felt so much love. I miss them all. I have some letters my grandmother wrote me, and a cookbook that she signed for me... they are some of my most treasured possessions. I even kept the last little piece of chocolate she ever gave me. I know it's weird, but it makes me smile every time I see it.
Yes - I'm not sure that the water main was fixed per se, but they allowed the funeral attendees in so they could say their last goodbyes and attend mass. They had to move the wake/dinner to a restaurant across town, but that was no big deal. It's been quite a week, I'll tell you. It's so hard when people you love are hurting. It's going to take time. Thank you for asking - you are such a sweetheart! :)
More tomorrow... Nini
God gave us two hands... one to help ourselves, and one to help others!
Farmgirl Sister #1974 |
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Across the Fence: Treasured Wisdom |
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Treasured Wisdom
