There is an old Japanese proverb that "one kind word can warm
three winter months." As fall draws to a
close in November and the weather begins to turn colder in December, we might take a
moment to reflect on the ways we can warm a heart.
Mothers can often experience frustrating moments, but with a
little patience and a kind word, we can encourage our children and bring joy to their
faces, warming a spirit even while the cold wind swirls outside. There are a number of ways we can uplift our
children, including showing empathy instead of pity, avoiding negative comparisons,
spending quality time with our kids, and granting them unconditional love. Motivating our
children is essential because they are, as John W. Whitehead has said, "the living
message we send to a time we will not see."
We can provide encouragement to more than just our children,
however. This fall, MOMs Club members will be
participating in a community service project, and we hope you will be able to join us.
Past projects have included collecting items for Hurricane Katrina victims, planting
flowers, and gathering Toys for Tots. Community service is a wonderful way to extend a
helping hand to those in need.
-- Skylar Burris, Co-President |
Summer rolled into Virginia on a wave of searing heat, but soon the
autumn weather should bring us cooler tidings. This fall, we'll take advantage of the
absence of sweltering weather to enjoy lots of outdoor activities, from parks and picnics
to nature hikes and pumpkin playgrounds.
Join us for the Duff and Stuff trail guide, where children can
hike a quarter mile while looking for clues. Or, go to the 11th Annual Fall
Festival where kids can ride slides, jump in a moonbounce, or see a monster truck. Don’t
forget our fall family picnic; there, we’ll have a chance to socialize and watch the
kids play while consuming some delicious food. We have these and several other great
events planned for the season.
I encourage you all to join in as many activities as possible
before the winter weather potentially drives us indoors. Carol Bishop Hips once described
the month of October as “the mellow, messy, leaf-kicking, perfect pause between the
opposing miseries of summer and winter.” Autumn
is a wonderful respite between the two extremes of hot and cold, so let those little legs
run outside while they can, and let those little hands explore what nature has to offer!
-- Skylar Burris, Co-President |
