The Things I Cherish

I cherish good health as the most important gift of life. I remember having speech difficulty at an early age due to the condition called "tongue-tied". My eyes were crossed and I suffered from astigmatism.

Mosquitoes carried the dreaded chill-fever disease of malaria. The quinine remedy was not only bitter and distasteful, it caused me severe headaches. Mumps ruined my eleventh birthday party. Chicken pox made me miserable. Asthma made me weak. Whooping cough killed one of my brothers when I was only a year and seven months old. Measles caused me to be quarantined for two weeks during my first year of college. An influenza epidemic interfered with my high school education causing two years delay in my graduation!

My strong body, in spite of all the above maladies and delays, has brought me much happiness. It has always been so nice to say, "I'm just fine" when asked, "How are you today?" My good health allowed me to earn my college expenses and aid my needy parents during the Great Depression of the 1930's.

My good health has made it possible for me to be successful in my professional field of endeavor. It's allowed me to raise a family of my own of which I am very proud! I could not have traveled world-wide or followed my hobbies were it not for my physical strength. I cherish the comment when friends and acquaintances say, "You look much younger. I would have guessed you to be 10 -15 years more youthful!"

I am inspired by high snow-capped mountains--by lakes, fast running streams, waterfalls, sunsets, bird songs, and wild animals! Gospel music and folk songs inspire me greatly. By these things I am awe-stricken.

I treasure my family and friends. I treasure my good health. I treasure my hobbies and activities. I treasure a positive self-image. A comment of praise for a completed activity, such as "You are a good writer" or "A job well done" spurs me to do better.

All things have beauty if only one will let one's mind and feelings run free of prejudice. I see beauty in mountains which have a magnetic pull of attraction. I feel best at around 6,000 feet elevation. Mt. Hood calls me to visit her every summer ever since I saw her photo when I was in seventh grade geography class. Tiny desert flowers to me are beautiful. Wildflowers, fruit tree blossoms, and rose gardens are appreciated. Fields of grain waving their heads of ripening food, forming ocean-like flowing waves cause me to marvel at the beauty of growing plants. Large and small animals and the uniqueness of each species combining their individual colors and habits bring beauty to every corner of the universe! Insects that fly or crawl, birds and bees, I love them all.

People are beautiful. From the gorgeous movie star to the tiny baby in its crib asleep. The fat, the thin, the short and the tall. I love them all. No matter the color of their face, no matter of their ancestral race. The blood that traces through their veins is that same bright red color. When I see a pretty girl I see the same beauty as I see in a colorful flower! I agree with that famous veterinarian, all things are "Bright and Beautiful."

I give thanks for my positive mental expectation and my goals. I give thanks for life! I give thanks for my daily blessings--my talents and education. I am thankful for people and nature and the glory of it all! I celebrate life and love. I celebrate the challenges of daily living. I celebrate special holidays such as Easter Sunday, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas and New Year's Day. Life is a celebration! Let us never forget to celebrate our freedom!

© Copyright 1997 Harold Wm. Wood

This page is maintained by Dr. Wood's son, Harold W. Wood, Jr., of Visalia, California.
My E-mail address is: harold@planetaryexploration.net

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