Tears

"Tears are the dew of heaven." 

Renee Hawkley Pecora 
(written in response to the death of my husband, Mike's son, David Pecora on Oct 4, 2017)

Kindness

"When people are happy, they become kind."

Wild Swans by Jung Chang

What Happens In Your House

"Family and friends and faith are what are really matters in life. And I know that. I see it so clearly now. And so, as they climb the ladder of achievement, I'd simply say, remember what Barbara Bush told those girls at Wellesley: 'What happens in your house is more important than what happens in the White House.' And it's true. It's so 100 percent true. And that means we -- each of these achievers -- must find some way, not only stay in touch with family, but to help others who might not be blessed with family. To strengthen the American family."

Fear is a Disguise

Bear put his hand on my shoulder. "Crispin," he said softly, "try to show less worry. The worst disguise is fear." Avi (from the book Crispin)

Meaning

"As for doors, I didn't think the world had so many. These people, I thought, must live their lives by little more than entries and exits." Avi (from the book Crispin)

The Message of Easter

"The message of Easter is that light and life will prevail." Lloyd Newell

Think, Say, Do with Love

"It matters less what you think, say, and do with love and more that you think, say, and do with love."
Renee Hawkley Pecora

Be Strong and Courageous

"Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest." Joshua 1:6,9

I Have More Things to Ask

"And again, Moses said; I will not cease to call upon God, I have other things to inquire of him; . ."
Moses 1:18

What Matters

"What matters is what you do in the moment when you think you can't."
(Included in the testimony of a stranger at church.)

Life Must Be Lived Forward

"Life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forwards." Soren Kierkegaard

Having Power

"Having power isn't as important as what you choose to do with it." (from Matilda, the movie)

Have a Heart

"Have a heart that never hardens, and a temper that never tires, and a touch that never hurts." Charles Dickens

To Ease Another's Heartache

"To ease another's heartache is to forget one's own." Abraham Lincoln

Music and Optimism

"Music is the sound track of optimism." Anonymous

What I Learn While Talking

"I never learned anything while I was talking." Larry King

That Our Children May Know

"And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophecy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins." 2 Nephi 25:26

We Labor Diligently to Write

"For we labor diligently to write, to persuade our children, and also our brethren, to believe in Christ, and to be reconciled to God; for we know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do."
2 Nephi 25:23

Little Annie

"Little Annie, heaven's pearl;
Could not stay . . sweet baby girl.
Though her radiance we will miss,
Upon each heart she placed a kiss."

Renee Hawkley Pecora (at the passing of infant, Annie Thomas, daughter of Tyson and Jessica)

The Man Who Strives Valiantly

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

Theodore Roosevelt