A Thanksgiving Poem

A THANKSGIVING POEM

TWAS THE NIGHT OF THANKSGIVING,

BUT I JUST COULDN'T SLEEP

I TRIED COUNTING BACKWARDS,

I TRIED COUNTING SHEEP.

THE LEFTOVERS BECKONED -

THE DARK MEAT AND WHITE

BUT I FOUGHT THE TEMPTATION

WITH ALL OF MY MIGHT

TOSSING AND TURNING WITH ANTICIPATION

THE THOUGHT OF A SNACK BECAME INFATUATION.

SO, I RACED TO THE KITCHEN, FLUNG OPEN THE DOOR

AND GAZED AT THE FRIDGE, FULL OF GOODIES GALORE.

GOBBLED UP TURKEY AND BUTTERED POTATOES,

PICKLES AND CARROTS, BEANS AND TOMATOES.

I FELT MYSELF SWELLING SO PLUMP AND SO ROUND,

'TIL ALL OF A SUDDEN, I ROSE OFF THE GROUND.

I CRASHED THROUGH THE CEILING,

FLOATING INTO THE SKY

WITH A MOUTHFUL OF PUDDING

AND A HANDFUL OF PIE.

BUT, I MANAGED TO YELL AS I SOARED

PAST THE TREES....

HAPPY EATING TO ALL - PASS THE

CRANBERRIES, PLEASE.

MAY YOUR STUFFING BE TASTY,

MAY YOUR TURKEY BE PLUMP.

MAY YOUR POTATOES 'N GRAVY

HAVE NARY A LUMP,

MAY YOUR YAMS BE DELICIOUS MAY YOUR PIES

TAKE THE PRIZE,

MAY YOUR THANKSGIVING DINNER STAY

OFF OF YOUR THIGHS.

MAY YOUR THANKSGIVING BE BLESSED!!

P.S. Please send me any thanksgiving stories you have.- Bonnie

Octobers' It's Possible- Final Sceen

Tornado’s Echo



"Look, the huge raindrops are exploding!" My engineer husband always sees the unusual. We looked out Shoney's window. "Sheets of rain burst and swirled. We'd better get out of here!" Although it was almost midnight the lightening made it a psychedelic show of blinding, blinking lights.
Tony and I had gone to the Twin-Cinema in the Caraway Plaza to the 10:00 p.m. movie with friends. Raining, we'd jumped into their Chevy wagon to ride the 100 yards to the coffee shop. "When we see all children are okay, come by our house before we leave on vacation." We invited. They jettisoned us to our car.
We turned west on highway 63B, they north on Nettleton Ave. We'd traveled two or three car lengths - huge tree limbs and debris bombarded our car like bricks thrown at us. The rain was so thick and furious - it was a tornado! The windshield wipers couldn't keep the windshield clean. The car careened crazily. Tony yelled, "Oh NO! it's here. We're right in the middle of it!" His voice broke, "We're not going to make it!" He started to cry, "Why didn't we leave earlier to get home to the kids!" I felt I was watching a movie. Did I hear, "I will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee" and "...It won't come nigh thy dwelling". (Like an echo in my mind.)
Our 13-year-old Emily was sitting with nine-year-old Anthony and our 17-year-old, Deana, was on a date.
I was silent, but thought, are we going to die? Will I dread hurting until I die? Oh My Anthony, Emily and Deana. (The echo--"not nigh thy dwelling!")
Tony regained peaceful composure--urged, "Get out of the car and into the ditch." We were beside a trailer park and one of the campers hit our car from behind and another eased up to the front of it. We jumped from the car, stepping out into the air then the car was airborne. Yet, we hit the ground and got into the ditch by the Jonesboro Country Club. We watched campers, a carport, an assortment of debris wash and swirl over us. We stuck our fingers as far down into the mud trying to suck our bodies to the ditch only holding our head up out of the torrential water. Would a car or a camper crush on top of us? The rain and water was icy cold. Although after midnight, lightening made it lighter than day and then it'd be soot black dark. OH! Where were our children? (The echo-'Perfect peace')
Eventually the 'freight-train' roaring diminished and the tornado receded; the car had plopped down near us. Tony demanded, "Get into the car. We'll try it again." Muddy and drenched, and from our coffee drinking at Shoney’s, and like in kindergarten at the blackboard, my kidneys would no longer hold out. The warm liquid mixed with the icy rain in an unreal world of TV. We climbed out of the ditch and into the battered car.
Someone yanked open the back car door pleading, "Somebody please help me, my car is demolished."
"Get in and go with us...What's your name?"
"Danny Jones." "We're the Libharts".
Tony eased the car against the camper in front of us, pushing it out of the way. He was easing back and pushing the car up from the carport that had us pinned in the back. We broke loose only to realize that an electrical high line wire was across our car, flipped down hooked on our bumper. Miraculously, by inching the car slowly back and forth, it unhooked and we moved on across the highway. We'd traveled about a half a block when the debris started again...hitting our car. Swirling rain came back and the nightmare of a second tornado hit. Tony yelled, "Get into the ditch again." This time the tornado was even more furious. I was shaking more but somehow inside I felt calmer.
"Lord, those children belong to you, I leave them in your safe keeping". Their three sweet faces came before me. Oh God, I want to trust you and believe you'll take care of them and us. Help my unbelief". (I heard the echo--'perfect peace')
The water covered our bodies as we kept our heads sideways to keep our noses free to breathe. The angry lighting flashed across the pitch black night as the deafening roar of the tornado swept camper trailers, a car bumper and limbs of trees-again! My husband had his arms clinched around my hips with his bead on the back of my knees. The stranger who'd climbed into our car, Danny Jones, lay with his feet away from me. HE dug his head into my shoulder while our hands dug into the miry mud for roots to cling to and suck our bodies to the earth. We shook as one--from the cold rain and the tornado's vibration.
The tornado quieted down to a heavy rain. We got out of the ditch but this time our car was totally demolished. We left the parking lights on for someone to use the car in some way. We three crawled and ran through the nightmarish night, stumbling over fallen trees and broken power lines. There was not a light in the city.
Then a Corvette came from the other direction. Tony cautioned, "You can't go any further". He turned around and got us into the Corvette. (Now maybe we'd see the kids soon). We drove a few blocks then came to an unmovable four-foot tree trunk. We got out and stumbled on for a couple blocks, when a station wagon, easing through the torrential rains, picked us up and attempted the additional few miles home. The water was over the headlights of the station wagon making an eerie vision in the pre-dawn light. Next a portion of highway blocked by trees stopped us. We got out. Danny went into the night and we slow-jogged on down Wood Street toward our home. People in mansions in the Country Club area were inviting everyone to come in out of the storm. By then it was about 2:45 A.M. The National Guard was showing up. We passed our daughters Jonesboro High School. It was totally destroyed. Those beautiful columns that meant so much history in our city. Where would they hold graduation? We kept running. Our Frierson Street Church was reduced to a slab. The trauma of wondering what our house condition would be! (The echo--not nigh thy dwelling) If only Deana, Emily and Anthony were safe. As I stumbled along in my white three-inch sandals - afraid to take them off because of the shattered glass and debris. Such intense pain! --I still needed to use the bathroom after the rented coffee in the restaurant hours earlier. It was as if my mind and body didn't exist as one.
Many houses on the next street were destroyed, except one--where all the rooms were missing but one. How strange!
Linden St. was down over the hill.” God, let our kids be safe" But seeing all the destruction around, how could they be! The National Guard let us through -- I'd gotten my second wind -- In the early morning light we could see our unhurt house. (Not nigh thy dwelling). Had our daughter gotten in from her date? Were the children scared and crying? Had they tried to go somewhere? -- We ran-opened the door--yelled, 'EMILY, ANTHONY, DEANA, silence, Oh NO! We dashed upstairs to the bedroom area.
Three sleepy heads appeared--startled "What's the matter, Mother? Daddy?" We grabbed them and hugged and cried. Thank you Father our children-"in perfect peace--through both tornadoes!" They chorused, "We slept better than we have in years". (2,000 home, 200 business, schools, churches, 123 people injured-NO DEATHS!) It was a night of miracles. About the house on the next street? A missionary couple married today and left her wedding dress and all wedding gifts at her Mother's; they left for their honeymoon -- the house was blown away -- except for the room that had her wedding dress and all their wedding presents. God’s hand!
5:00 A.M., A knock--We opened to greet the beautiful faces of Bonnie and Glenn, "You said when this blew over and our kids were okay to come for coffee. Here we are!"
Through the years as other of life's Tornadoes swirl around us, I hear the echo in my mind of that first tornado, " He will keep us in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee!"

Octobers It's Possible- Sixth Sceen

God put “A HUNGER” in the Heart of the Child We Gave Away



"I gave my child away!"
There's a nicer way to say this. I gave her up for adoption. But to me, I gave her away. I can't tell you how that hurt... It ripped out my heart. If someone had cut open my chest and pulled out my heart, it wouldn't hurt anymore. I prayed God would put her in a home where she was really loved.
The father was married to someone else and so was I. As his secretary, we had the child before we married each other. My divorce became final sooner than his; eventually we married. We started marriage together with my three children; his three children then later added another of our own.
God put a hunger in the heart of the child that we had given up for adoption to find us. Discouragement came from her family and friends, but she persisted and was one of the first adopted people in the state of Tennessee to get her court records opened. I had given accurate information about her father on her birth certificated. With the information contained in her records she managed to obtain our address and phone number.
"Hello, You don't know me, but I think that I'm your daughter!"
My husband had answered the phone as he listened to the facts that the girl was relaying to him he answered, "Yes, you are". He'd been Fasting...he didn't know why.
I was in church when she had called. In the middle of church, I felt a real urging to go home...immediately. I did.
I was greeted by a shout as I entered the house. "Our daughter has called!" I wish I could tell you I was happy and excited about this call. All the Guilt, Pain, Shame I'd bottled down inside for 20 years erupted like Mt. St. Helens. I felt like the lowest worm under the carpet.
Thinking, "Why would she possibly want to talk to me?" I cried. I'd asked God to forgive me for giving my daughter away. He did, but I hadn't forgiven myself! Hysteria developed every time my husband and I discussed her, yet knowing that all things we bury inside fester and get worse.
One hour later, she called back. I had collected myself, though still emotional, we talked for almost two hours.
The mother who had reared her had encouraged her to search for me; she had died from an illness two years before our daughter was to find us. She was shocked that she'd found her birth Father; it is unusual for an adoptee's birth parents to be married to each other.
God cleaned up all those old hurts with a healing of memories. They got washed in the blood of Jesus. We gathered our seven children and told them about their sister. None knew about her...all accepted her.
Upon her arrival one spot lighted a 4X8 sign, "Welcome Home".
Things I'd thought were learned are inherited. The way we say things, hold our hands, gesture when we talk. We're so alike. We sing sometimes...Our voices blend together beautifully.
I can't turn back the hours of time and not give away my child. Since all things work together for good, I can Praise God for my daughter persisting to find her Birth Parents.
Anytime we find our Heritage, it helps us find Ourselves!
It's Possible!

Octobers' It's Possible- Forth Sceen

The Only Thing Certain in this Life is
…Change



Several weeks ago, I was filled with "Oh Pity Me!" I let my hair down and shared my pain with you. One pain was fear of foreclosure on our Cedarhurst home. Well, happily, I have egg on my face. Caught in a FACTOID (False statement circulated as truth)
"They" say, "90% of the things you worry about never happen"
Yes, the letter did arrive about the foreclosure. But right before the deadline, the Good Lord, Praise His Holy Name, brought a buyer for the property. Real Estate is Jumping; it's time to buy Park Place and Board Walk even if you have to use all your 100's!
As my Mother always says, "Will miracles never cease!”
We're so happy. Thank you for praying, sending tapes and notes of encouragement. (And the money for the Mamalot Fund!)
I'm astounded how many people read the paper. It must be at least four people for every paper that's printed.
I don't think I'll ever buy another thing on credit. We had plastic surgery-cut up those little rectangles of doom and heated 'em in the microwave. Funny looking! Smells terrible! Hey, try it you may like it! Gold and yellow, green and white; they're not precious in my sight.
And would you believe. I'm having Sellers Remorse! Have you ever done that; miss the place you just left?
Can't please a woman can you?
‘Fun?' goes with Selling and Buying; it’s moving and Finding.
Husband, Tony, likes moving about as much as castor oil or somebody cutting him off on the highway. So, in order to celebrate another year of wedded bliss, I came up with Mastering Moving-Nite Madness. Moving! Yes, we're having 'fun'- yet (and you get to eat out). A move is an education. We learn an important part of life: CHANGE! The only thing you can be certain about in life is-it Changes! This helps the grief of leaving and arriving. (Of course I think children should be at funerals to say good bye to love ones--so what do I know. It's personal opinion and like navels we all have one).
The number of new Beginnings - Like Love - liking a new area is a Decision, The Psalmist said, "Man makes his plans, but the Lord Directs his Path". If you've prayed about it, Listened to His answer, then it must be the Right Thing for You.
Egg on my face, maybe, but Changes are part of life. The most well adjusted people learn to look forward to them at an early age. So, how we cope with moving, whether caused by Foreclosure, a job promotion, climbing up or down, one thing for sure, we're making a Memory! It's a time we may Do and Say things we don't really mean. If you're like me, sometimes we open mouth, insert foot. But "Memories are made of things...that happen every day.

Memories as we live them...things we do or say.
Little bits and pieces...of laughter mixed with tears,
Paragraphs and pages...written through the years,
The carefree days of childhood, the growing pains of youth
A few illusions shattered...in the endless search of truth
The friendships we remembered, mistakes we regret,
The ending of a love affair...we never could forget
Yes, memories are happenings...each one a different kind,
Each one a separate chapter...that is printed on the mind
We can't erase the sadness, or edit out the tears,
We can't undo the wrongs we've done...nor we can't relive the years
But since memories keep building...a new Place - a new Start
Helps make new and happy ones...to store within our Heart.
It's POSSIBLE

Octobers' It's Possible- Third Sceen

Meet An ORIGINAL “Just Do It” Girl!


Some of us female types have been known to complain that we aren't getting a fair shake, don’t get the plum jobs, don't get the salary we deserve, have to bring home the 'meatless' bacon (and maybe even cook it, TOO!). Could it be we haven't had a stratagem and/or POSITIONED ourselves to impact our world. Is it possible to learn from an 'old' lesson plan?
HEY - Or even CHANGE our Global field?
So - MOVE OVER WORLD; HERE COMES SOPHIA!
Well, maybe you don't remember her as 'Sophia'. We'd a called her 'Kate' or 'Cathi' or maybe even Catherine - her assumed name.
So, PRINCESS, if you ain't gettin' the breaks you want, lets look at three things another Princess did differently.
Step 1: Change Your World (includes your long-range/short-range tangible and intangible goals to accomplish #1). Our Heroine did and she couldn't even speak the Language when she came to the new country, but with her wit and innovations, (You Got It Too -You're made in God's Image and God's computer has no back up key) she gave her adopted land a most precious legacy. She came, she changed her name and she conquered.
Her "Man of her dreams" was considered "Backwards" (we'd a called him a "Mega-WIMP", but when CATHERINE II (Sophia Augusta Frederica to Ekaterina Alekseevna), married Prince Peter of Russia in 1745, she came to despise him. Peter the III, became Tsar in 1762, and sweet Cathi almost immediately arranged a coup d'etat to remove him from the throne.
Step 2: Has overtones of 'uncouthness' i.e., that's when you don't have no couth) with the current (LOTL - Law of the Land) and is therefore frowned on greatly. It is also not favored by most bosses or spouses).
Yes, she'd taken over. An original Powerful 'Just Do It' Woman. She was acclaimed Empress and shy Peter died soon after.
Needless to say, Catherine II, dubbed "the Great" was a strong-willed, intellectual, and enlightened woman. Lets give her credit; she worked zealously to reform Russia's provincial administration, education, and medical facilities. She annexed parts of Poland and Turkey, extending the empire to the Black Sea. But, while she brought the nobility European culture and learning she depended on their good will and allowed them many privileges and harsh new powers over their serfs.
You wanted to know:
Step 3: Simple: Whatever your Dream, "JUST DO IT!"
It's taking 1500 Memphis volunteers to help you and me see more of this daughter of a German prince. Catherine the Great!
In a collection of aesthetic and historical treasures never before seen outside the USSR. And only one place to be shown in the United States and within driving distance for us here in the Tennessee Valley. (No, nobody asked me to say it - wish they had!)

You can see at least 300 of 3 million priceless items that range from the newly restored ornate awesome gold coronation carriage to jewel-encrusted watches-masterpieces in gold, silver and precious stones. Costumes, jewelry, art, exquisite tapestries, porcelain and my very favorite - the most beautiful Bible - in this Journalists opinion - in the WORLD! With enameled ovals of cloisonné and overlays of gold with scenes depicting scenes like the "Last Supper", the Risen Savior, and the Day of Pentecost and on and on. Oh it was so beautiful. I'm so glad I saw it. The price was dirt cheap for the blessing of going.
Whatever my personal opinion is of the USSR, Perestroika, Glasnost and whether we're being duped into complacency like my daughter, Emily, who was a Russian interpreter, (and took a million Bibles to Russia) said before she got killed, ("The country is Bankrupt, Mother, Perestroika and Glasnost is their only hope - they can no longer feed their troops"), The Memphis-trip was awesome - worth it. Check it out for yourself. Just Do It!
Yes, Sophia Augusta Frederika of Anhalt-Zerbest of Prussia (Poland). - a monarch in the age of Enlightenment- a powerful ruler kept Russia stable and strong in a time of revolution and unrest.
This Catherine the Great brought innovation to her government and expansion to her empire. As an example to us Female types and (Male types are included also, Tony) to:
#1: Go for our dreams
#2: Overcome all obstacles
#3: Action -JUST DO IT
It’s POSSIBLE!

Octobers' It's Possible- Next Sceen

Freedom of Choice is Still Ours



How would you like to be working at a fast food restaurant one week, marry your co-host who’s working thru Med school and four years later build an 8000 square foot house!
Yep! Fall in love and marry your Doctor! The average Journalist or teacher even with a masters or doctorate may make only $20,000 to $40,000 a year compared to a doctor at $200,000 to $400,00 a year.
Of course, there are 35,000,000 persons in the U.S. who cannot afford health care, so the doctors are fighting off Universal Health programs because some doctors have never heard of self-discipline. However they could be forced to be disciplined by U.S. citizens who have lost patience with doctor’s prices.
Must we simply streamline our system to have capable health care? Of course if Universal Health care were the perfect answer, why the Detroit hospitals filled with Canadians who do have national health care.
Have they concentrated on making better choices among health care, finding their own to be marginally capable where here we Dare to Excel in health care. But what good is the best if many cannot take advantage of it?
A friend fearing a heart attack had an emergency trip to the hospital. It turned out to be ‘heart-burn’. The x-rays showed he had a spot on his lungs and was advised to “Go to his specialist.” Worrying about the $1,000 bill he’d run up in the emergency room, he walked out and remarked, “Well, that’s the end of that.” I don’t have a specialist and couldn’t afford to go if I did. My company offers health care but I can’t pay my part. I’m barely paying rent and groceries now. My pain is manageable, I’ll wait.”
Like millions who’re working, he’s doing the best he can. The temptation is understandable to “put it out of your mind.” The trouble is that unthinking persons cannot choose, but must let others choose for them. But to fail to make ones own choices…whether finding a health care solution or electing a president—is to betray the freedom which is one of God’s great gifts to us all.
In the last session of Congress, the “Jackson” coalition had submitted a bill that would guarantee welfare recipients $7,500 cash plus free medical care. Congress said they didn’t have the money to pay for it so you would pay for it by requiring $250 tax per person in business. Then the mandated health benefits, A Kennedy bill, required $2,500 tax per full time employee per year. Lobbying by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce defeated both Universal health care may have some unexpected market impact. “In a study of physicians 55 and older by Merritt, Hawkins and Association, an Irving, Texas, search firm, 50 percent of doctors surveyed (roughly 29%) said that if universal health care became a reality, they would retire immediately or step up their move toward retirement.” They say there would be too much paperwork. Universal-health-care proponent, John Rother, American Association of Retired Persons legislative director, argues that this concern ‘is unjustified and that such reform would make doctors’ lives easier.”
It may turn out that no mass exodus of older physicians actually occurs even if universal health care is enacted.
The medical profession has hardly lost its appeal. The institute for Health Policy Studies at University of California at San Francisco reports that by the year 2000 the number of U.S. physicians per capita will have risen 22 percent above 1986 levels-that there will be 17 doctors for every 100,000 residents, up from 144 in1986.
We can find a health care solution, where the doctors are rewarded for their 12 additional years of schooling and dedication to humanity. People can get a health care plan that’s paid for on a scale of income.
We can get the money by:

1: Not forgiving so many foreign debts, like the $9 billions we forgave Egypt for last
year.

2: Reducing social programs like the National Endowment of the Arts is now able
again to receive money for “a nude woman covered in chocolate and parsley.”

3: Doctor’s could reduce fees! My philosophy is that no one segment of the
community should lord it over his neighbors.

Managers are turning to “Loving Management”; can’t we also turn to loving our neighbors as ourselves, as it states in the Bible in Leviticus 19:18.
A change in the way we’ve been looking at health care is necessary. One based on love for each other not just how much money can be charged to our fellow man. Like a society, which is required to be rebuilt as we saw in our Slavic neighbors, there is no use in attempting to rebuild it on the old plan. Paraphrasing John Stuart Mills’s philosophy, “No great improvements in the lot of mankind are possible, until a great change takes place in the basic way of thinking”.
This change can be built on love and caring for all neighbors.
It’s POSSIBLE!

October's It's Possible

Autumn-God’s Gift
A time to Reflect on Our Talents & Our Purpose of Life


October-The Tranquil Month

"They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength..." (Isa. 40:31)
October is the month of colors--gold's, auburn, deep reds, bronze and burgundy.
Autumn...fall - October--a special month God schedules into our year so we can "wait upon the Lord." Summer is past. September and getting kids ready for school with the haunting realization of our own passing moments -- whether it's the first time our child is out of school--in college, working or married.
Yet, our strength is renewed when we know we've committed them to God and He is taking care of them.
It's possible, you know.
Fall--the rush of Thanksgiving or Christmas is not on us yet, nor the January of winter.
Yes, October is a month to catch our breath, spend time with our Lord in prayer and meditation--listen to Him as He skirts across the cells of our mind like a bronze leaf that floats gently to the ground and settles down for the winter's rain and snow. As the leaf becomes part of the earth and replenishes and nutrients in the soil, so does our Heavenly Father's voice become a part of our mind and heart to replenish the nutrients in our spirit and soul.
Each of us has autumn-breaks in our life. From the "Autumn-stage" when we're no longer a baby, but not quite school age...not a child, but not a 'grown-up'--too old for dolls yet not old enough to date; too old to play cars, but too young for a driver's license; too old for family outings, but not old enough to move out on our own; out of Medical School but not quite a Doctor; early retirement, (forced or not) but not old enough for social security; most friends gone on to their reward yet we're still passing the days in this earthly home. These "autumn" phases are when we have time to think, dream, meditate, contemplate, even vacillate, goal-set, actuate on...
"NEXT".
You have a word from our Lord--to let this colorful month of October be your time to wait upon the Lord--to renew your strength, to evaluate where you've come from, where you are and where you're going.
It strengthens you for each tomorrow as you pass through each of your "autumn" moments to live--really live--in His will.
Each of us has been placed here on this earth and given life for some grand purpose. Each of us was given a gift and a talent. It was put in us to develop and through it's development to bless humanity. That is the ordained purpose of our lives.
Your purpose can be accomplished by YOU.
It can be found in the "October" moments of life.
One of those moments for us was the day tires squealed on the street as our daughter darted out. Her crossing to the other side was for Eternity as she was hurled into the arms of Jesus...safe in his care forever.
I have a premonition that soars on silver wings. I know of your accomplishments and other wondrous things. I do not know beneath which sky nor where you'll challenge fate. I only know when we stop during the "October Moments" to listen to what Our Heavenly Father is saying...and with gratitude we can learn to say, "Thank You God for letting her pass through to Bless our life. Thank you our Heavenly Father for helping carrying us through each transition as we reflect during our autumn times. Let us learn to Bless others as we act on hearing your voice.
Made in the image of God, each of us are GREAT!
It's POSSIBLE!

Passing Thoughts

The Five most important words- I AM PROUD OF YOU.
The Four most important words- WHAT IS YOUR OPINION?
The Three most important words- IF YOU PLEASE
The Two most important words- THANK YOU.
The Least important word- I.

Writer of Life By Karen Peterson

Dr. Bonnie Libhart: Writer of Life
By Karen Peterson

Dr. Bonnie Libhart’s dramatic life history is intertwined with triumph and tragedy, joy and tears. She believes both extremes are essential to personal and spiritual growth; furthermore, she believes that when we experience trauma, we must reinvent ourselves to prepare for the next stage in our lives.

If the latter is true, Libhart has reinvented herself dozens of times over her lifetime. She says she found new strength and greater blessings with each evolution.

Besides being a nationally-renowned speaker on inspirational and motivational issues, the vivacious 70-year-old is an author with eight books under her literary belt. “I’ve been writing all my life,” she explained. “ As a young girl, I’d love to get new tablet and put words in those beautiful lines.”

The Arkansas native published her first book in 1974. From “Born Again Marriage” to “Building a Better you”, Libhart draws upon her own experiences to inform, inspire and entertain. “Born again Marriage” chronicles the drama of her near-divorce to Tony Libhart, and how the pair picked up the pieces, subsequently rebuilding on an even stronger foundation. They have not been married 50 years.

Perhaps her most emotional work is “Emily” a heart wrenching account of her daughter’s joyous life and sudden, premature death. Emily Dawn was walking near Jordan Lane and University Drive in Huntsville where she was hit by a car and killed in 1990. She was 30 Years Old.

Emily was a Russian interpreter who brought Bibles by the bundles to the former Solviet Union. Libhart was so proud of the work her daughter did for others and, more importantly, for God.

God also played a pivotal role in Libhart’s life. She became a born again Christian when her marriage was on the brink of divorce. She couldn’t imagine weathering her marital storms or surviving Emily’s death without His guidance. She credits God for enabling her to write books that illustrate how she and others have walked through dark, painful tunnels only to emerge stronger on the other, brighter side.

Today Libhart is working on two more books. “Invisible Lines”, is a true story set in her hometown of Paragould, Ark. German POWs were sent to provide labor on farms. Many young American men were serving overseas, leaving their families desperately shotr-handed.

Some of those POWs made their way to Libhart’s childhood farm, much to the dismay and disgust of townspeople. But the five-year old quickly learned the POWs were human beings with real families and feelings. She and her family reached out to them and they, in turn, responded with kindness and gratitude. Libhart learned early in to ignore lines surrounding nationalities, races, culture and social standings. “We need to love each other, be tolerant,” she said.

“Six Breaths to Healthy Wealthy and Wise”, is aimed at helping readers improve their situation in all three topics. “We have to breathe deeply,” Libhart explained. “That’s so important for developing the good health, wealth and wisdom we all desire.”

Libhart had clearly acquired all three. You can find out more about her books on her Web site, www.drbonnielibhart.com.

Why Don't Dreams Come True?

Chapter One

Sometimes, We Just Don't Like Ourselves

(The Case Of The Have-Nots!)

A. Poor Self-Image

1. At age 16, I ran away from home and married a basketball player. Four years later, I was divorced, with a child. I blamed the world got not being able to make my world perfect, but the problem was mine. (Like my friend, Norma Beasley, we were the 'Have-Nots". At age 12, when milking, the cow kicked her over. She lay in the mud and vowed, "I will not do this all my life". She thought about the people in her tiny rural town in Arkansas and pondered, "who is the richest person in town? My Daddy's lawyer! "I'm going to be a lawyer. Divorce, death, disaster, the Lawyer wins". she determined.) She is one who has the 'that something' What was it?

2. In Yonkers, NY I was making $85.00 per week, and it cost $55 per week too board my daughter. I eventually moved south and started working for Braniff Airways in Memphis. At night, I worked for Arthur Murray, where I met Tony. He adopted Deana, and had two other children;

3. I am what I think you think I am. That's the definition of self-image. When my life wasn't going well, I thought poorly of myself. When it changed, so did my self-image. So changing self-image is a matter of changing your "friends" if they have a tendency to put you down. Dee's Self Image Paul Meyer, Strong Self-Image.

B. Fear- Aversion to meeting challenges.

1. Story of stage fright while leading group in song.

2. Because I was forced to return to the stage, I overcame fear, which was essential to becoming a public speaker.

C. Negative attitudes

1. With no faith in self, there's no faith in abilities

2. People play unpleasant tapes of their past. But dwelling on the past embarrassments and failures is harmful

3. Self-Imposed Limitations-- Mountains in mind that must be removed.

D. Taught restraining principles

1. We're conditioned to avoid risk

2. We're conditioned to avoid being wrong

E. Afraid to start small

1. 85% of new jobs in the couontry are created by small businesses. There are 60,000 small businesses in the tiny-populated state of Arkansas

2. Everything signigicant starts small.

Analysis/Action:

Others: Paul Meyer- Success Motivation Institute

Norma Beasley- Safeco Land and Title Co.

Action: Summary/Personal Action Step: