Ray’s Daily
August 16, 2021
“Family means nobody gets left behind or forgotten.”
David Ogden Stiers
This is a big day for me. First an old friend is picking me up for breakfast. I know I will enjoy our visit. But the big event will be when four generations gather to celebrate my wife’s birthday. This will be Nancy and my sixty-eigth year as a married couple but the first time we will be with so many of our family members.
We are so fortunate to have children and grandchildren who do so much to make our lives as happy and trouble free as possible. Our family has strong bonds that come from how much we care for each other. They are not just relatives but also friends. I can think of nothing better in life than to be part of a loving family.
Over the years it was my wife who held our family together as I often was away on business. The following article reminded me of the value of investing in helping the family thrive.
4 Ways to Keep Your Family Strong
By Cheryl Butler
Tip #1: Couples must make their relationship a priority. So many parents think their kids’ needs come first, but if couples forget to nurture their own relationship, their families will pay the price. Set an example for your children and show them that you and your spouse love one another and because of that love, they created their family. What children see at home is what they will try and emulate in their own lives.
Tip #2: Share meals together regularly as a family. This suggestion is continuously made by professionals and family therapists for one good reason—it is one of the simplest ways harried families can stay connected. It doesn’t have to be every night—Sunday brunch, or a weekend picnic, or every Wednesday night for pasta and meatballs—just as long as it’s a regular thing in your home. Get in the habit of sharing meals and you’ll have a surefire way to stay close.
Tip #3: Observe family rituals. Family rituals, such as movie and popcorn night or tagging a family Christmas tree, gives your family something to look forward to on a regular basis and helps bond you closer together. Look for ways that your family can create special rituals of your own that your kids will remember 20 years from now.
Tip #4: Show affection towards one another. Don’t be afraid to show affection for your loved ones. Whether it’s a hug and kiss each night when you tuck the kids into bed, patting your teenage son on the back after he hits his first homerun, or just cheerfully calling out to your daughter “You’re going to ace that Algebra test today! I can’t wait to hear about it when you get home”— providing your kids with warmth and affection helps them stand strong when they are out on their own.
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“The bond that links your true family is not one of blood, but of respect and joy in each other’s life.”
Richard Bach
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A man drives to a gas station and has his tank filled up. While doing this the clerk spots two penguins sitting on the back seat of the car. He asks the driver, “What’s up with the penguins in the back seat?”
The man in the car says, “I found them. I asked myself what to do with them but, I haven’t a clue.”
The clerk ponders a bit then says, “You should take them to the zoo.”
“Yeah, that’s a good idea,” says the man in the car and drives away.
The next day the man with the car is back at the same gas station. The clerk sees the penguins are still in the back seat of the car. “Hey, they’re still here! I thought you were going to take them to the zoo!”
“Oh, I did,” says the driver, “and we had a swell time. Today I’m taking them to the beach.”
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The big thing today is computer dating. If you don’t know how to run a computer it really dates you.
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It was the usual muddy day in the country. Our first grade teacher, Miss Brown, had just finished putting the 36th boot on the 18th pair of little feet and was anxious to finish the last pair so she could go to lunch. The last pair of boots was for little Johnny Smith, a quiet boy. Miss Brown had a very difficult time getting his boots on as they were a bit too small for his growing feet, but she finally won the battle.
To her dismay, little Johnny looked blandly up into her face and announced, “Teacher, these boots aren’t mine.” In a hurry, but wanting to be kind, Miss Brown groaned, but with grim gentleness removed the boots and straightened her aching back.
Whereupon Johnny continued, “They’re my little brother’s, but Mommy said I could wear them to school today.”
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“The word ‘aerobics’ came about when the gym instructors got together and said: If we’re going to charge $10 an hour, we can’t call it ‘Jumping up and down.'”
Rita Rudner.
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At one game, a lady kept up a steady flow of threats at the umpire. No matter what was happening on the field, she kept yelling, “Kill the umpire! Kill the umpire!” This went on for an hour. Another patron said, “Lady, the umpire hasn’t done anything wrong.”
The woman said, “He’s my husband and he came home last night with lipstick on his collar! Kill the umpire!!”
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“When you jump for joy, beware that no one moves the ground from beneath your feet.”
Stanislaw J. Lec
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Two women were at a bar. One looked at the other and said, “You know, 80 percent of all men think the best way to end an argument is to make love.”
“Well,” said the other woman,” that will certainly revolutionize the game of hockey!”
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“Being a family means you are a part of something very wonderful. It means you will love and be loved for the rest of your life.”
Lisa Weed
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Management is not responsible for duplicates from previous dailies. The editor is somewhat senile.
Ray’s Daily has been sent for more than twenty years to people who want to start their day on an upbeat. If you have system overload because of our daily clutter, let me know and I will send you the information via mental telepathy. If you have not been getting our daily you can request to be added by e-mailing me at raykiwsp@comcast.net. Back issues are posted at http://rays-daily,com/ currently there are hundreds of readers from around the world.
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