Columnist Ruthe Deskin: Embrace the blessings of family

It isn't every day one drives 400-plus miles to go to a birthday party, but when it's a beloved family member, every mile is worth the effort.

My sister celebrated her 80th birthday in Lovelock, surrounded by relatives and friends. Actually, I don't think of her as 80, but just four times 20.

Guests included a 10-month-old just learning to walk, and a smiling 93-year-old grandmother, with all ages in between.

I was reminded of the indisputable truth that having a loving family matters above all else. How fortunate are those of us who are privileged to look upon our sons and daughters and their progeny, knowing that there will always be something left of us after we are gone.

My father was a strict disciplinarian who was not averse to a few flicks of the switch if we stepped out of bounds. My brother, sister and I never felt we were being abused. We knew when he said, "this is for your own good," he meant it, and it usually was.

I grew up in an atmosphere of humor and love -- even when my parents had to struggle to feed and clothe the family.

Family memories came back to me as we celebrated my sister's birthday and I decided to share with Sun readers a family prayer that could apply to families all over the nation. The author is unknown:

"We thank You, O God, for our family and for what we mean and bring to one another. We are grateful for the bonds of loyalty and affection which sustain us, and which keep us close to one another no matter how far apart we may be.

"We thank You for implanting within us a deep need for each other, and for giving us the capacity to love and care.

"Help us to be modest in our demands of one another, but generous in our giving to each other. May we never measure how much love or encouragement we offer; may we never count the times we forgive. Rather, may we always be grateful that we have one another and that we are able to express our love in acts of kindness.

"Keep us gentle in our speech. When we offer words of criticism, may they be chosen with care and spoken softly. May we waste no opportunity to speak words of sympathy, of appreciation, of praise.

"Bless our family with health, happiness and contentment."

A local lady driver was astonished when she was pulled over by a policeman and given a citation for tossing a cigarette out of the window.

My informants tell me that what she did is against the law, but seldom enforced. It's called "littering."

That might encourage the lady to give up smoking for her health and well-being.

What next? Now a company is advertising caskets at reduced prices, with one TV ad actually showing a robust young man being measured for eternal sleep.

I, for one, will miss Juana Hart when she retires from news broadcasting at Channel 8. Listening to Hart was a joy because of her near-perfect enunciation. Some of Channel 8's newer broadcasters could benefit from lessons from Hart.

Sun reader W.A. Clarke says: "Before borrowing money from a friend, decide which you need most."

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