A couple funny princess stories. As a general rule, we try to avoid all things princess since I believe that the princess concept engenders sentiments of entitlement, wimpiness, and a distorted vision of the world around us ("happily ever after"...not in this world!). That's not to say that we in any way discourage pretending or dress-up--something we really do enjoy and encourage. But, princess, um, no. (On the flip side, parents can use the princess image to encourage positive behavior such as gentility, proper manners, grace, etc. Undoubtedly there are sociology and psychology books dedicated to the topic somewhere.) That being said, below are two Madge princess stories:
A couple weeks ago, Madge told me, "Dad, my name is Maddy. But, you can call me 'princess' if you want to.'" I said, "Thanks, Madge. I'll note that." Not going to be happening soon, but nice to know I have her lady's leave to address her as such.
Two days ago, Madge said, "Dad, my name is Madge, I'm a girl, I'm three, and I'm a princess." Okay, Madge. I got the memo!
1. Only for today, I will seek to live the livelong day positively without wishing to solve the problems of my life all at once. 2. Only for today, I will take the greatest care of my appearance: I will dress modestly; I will not raise my voice; I will be courteous in my behavior; I will not criticize anyone; I will not claim to improve or to discipline anyone except myself. 3. Only for today, I will be happy in the certainty that I was created to be happy, not only in the other world but also in this one. 4. Only for today, I will adapt to circumstances, without requiring all circumstances to be adapted to my own wishes. 5. Only for today, I will devote ten minutes of my time to some good reading, remembering that just as food is necessary to the life of the body, so good reading is necessary to the life of the soul. 6. Only for today, I will do one good deed and not tell anyone about it. 7. Only for today, I will do at least one thing I do not like doing; and it my feelings are hurt, I will make sure no one notices. 8. Only for today, I will make a plan for myself: I may not follow it to the letter, but I will make it. And I will be on guard against two evils: hastiness and indecision. 9. Only for today, I will firmly believe, despite appearances, that the good Providence of God cares for me as no one else who exists in this world. 10. Only for today, I will have no fears. In particular, I will not be afraid to enjoy what is beautiful and to believe in goodness. Indeed, for twelve hours I can certainly do what might cause me consternation were I to believe I had to do it all my life. Bl. Pope John XXIII
"It is a poverty that a child must die so that you may live as you wish."~Mother Teresa
Mend a quarrel. Search out a forgotten friend. Dismiss a suspicion with trust. Write a letter to someone who misses you. Encourage a youth who has lost faith. Keep a promise. Forget an old grudge. Examine your demands on others and vow to reduce them. Fight for a principle. Express your gratitude. Overcome an old fear. Take two minutes to appreciate the beauty of nature. Tell someone who love him. Tell him again. And again. And again.
Family
Marriage is an act of will that signifies and involves a mutual gift, which unites the spouses and binds them to their eventual souls, with whom they make up a sole family - a domestic church. ~Pope John Paul II
Faith
Amen, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Mt.18:3
Time
God waits for us every day in all the immense panorama of work. Understand this well: there is something holy, something divine, hidden in the most ordinary situations, it is up to each one of you to discover it... Either we learn to find our Lord in ordinary everyday life, or else we shall never find him. (Conversations with Msgr. Escriva de Balaguer, No. 114)
Education
Education without values, as useful as it is, seems rather to make man a more clever devil. C.S. Lewis
Relaxation
Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop. Ovid
We Pray For
all children
an increase in respect for the dignity of every human person
all that we have received
an increase in faith, humility, and love
the souls of all the departed, those in our families, among our friends
fathers throughout the world
Gram Dolan's soul, especially on her death anniversary: May 15
Gram Mahler's soul on her death anniversary: June 26
the unemployed and homeless
an openness to life and its protection at every moment of its existence
dating, engaged, married couples
mothers and fathers around the world
those suffering physical, spiritual, and emotional anguish
troubled relationships
women enduring difficult pregnancies
women and men lured by the lies of abortion
all adoptive and foster parents and children
abandonment to Divine Providence
for increased compassion and mercy on others and that they in turn would have compassion for and mercy on us
for the conversion of all of us most in need of God's mercy and love
"Love expands and breathes in an atmosphere of free giving. We must be able to waste time for another person. We will gain great benefits from that 'waste': it is one of the realities signified by the Gospel words 'He who loses his life for my sake will find it.' " (Mt. 10:39) (Taken from Time for God, p.30)
Prayer Books
The Monk Who Grew in Prayer
Favorite Authors
A Song of Francis (De Paola) My Mother is So Smart (De Paola) Strega Nona Takes a Vacation (De Paola) Strega Nona Meets her Match (De Paola) The Art Lesson (De Paola) The Night of Las Posadas (De Paola) Marianna May and Nursery (De Paola) The Legend of the Poinsettia (DePaola) One Morning in Maine (McCloskey) Make Way for Ducklings (McCloskey) Lentil (McCloskey) Blueberries for Sal (McCloskey) Time of Wonder (McCloskey)
Maddy's Favorite Books
One Morning in Maine The Night of Las Posadas BlueBerries for Sal The Legend of the Poinsettia (DePaola)
Pita's Favorite Books
How Does a Dinosaur Say Goodnight? The Night of Las Posadas The Legend of the Pointsettia Good Night, Moon
ABeCedarios Alphabet Mystery (*A Madgey Favorite*) A Was Once an Apple Pie Curious George Learns the Alphabet Alphabet Under Construction Do Your ABCs Little Brown Bear Elfabet A is for Annabelle Puddle's ABC John Burmingham's ABC Eating the Alphabet: Fruits and Vegetables from A to Z Alphabet Adventure (*A Madgey Favorite*) D is for Drums A Apple Pie ABC: A Child's Alphabet Book Discovering Nature's Alphabet P is for Princess Alphabet Rescue So Many Bunnies
Music Book Basket
Lentil The Song of Francis
Going to School Book Basket
Chrysanthemum
Camping/Outdoors Book Basket
Sally Goes to the Mountain Lucille Camps In Kipper's Monster Mr. Bear's Picnic Blueberries for Sal Maisy Goes Camping Sleep Out In the Small, Small Pond
Take care not to meddle in things which do not concern you, nor even allow them to pass through your mind; for perhaps you will not then be able to fulfill your own task.-- St. John of the Cross
St. Therese of Lisieux
Oh, how good a thing and how peaceable it is to be silent of others, nor to believe all that is said, nor easily to report what one has heard!- St. Therese
A couple funny princess stories. As a general rule, we try to avoid all things princess since I believe that the princess concept engenders sentiments of entitlement, wimpiness, and a distorted vision of the world around us ("happily ever after"...not in this world!). That's not to say that we in any way discourage pretending or dress-up--something we really do enjoy and encourage. But, princess, um, no. (On the flip side, parents can use the princess image to encourage positive behavior such as gentility, proper manners, grace, etc. Undoubtedly there are sociology and psychology books dedicated to the topic somewhere.) That being said, below are two Madge princess stories:
