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IASK Founder and fellow LifeLenz friend Dennis Stack shared this anonymous poem at his link: When an old lady died in the geriatric ward of a small hospital near Dundee, Scotland, it was felt that she had nothing left of any value. Later, when the nurses were going through her meager possessions, they...

You must be more careful, I scold myself through the tears, you almost missed that one. Pieces of the whole will never do; if He’s to put it back together again, He will need it all. Bending low, I wrap trembling fingers around the missing sliver and swath it in an old,...

From her "Bridal Memories": Fred Hunter and Nellie Turnage became engaged on December 19, 1924. They were married on Sunday, June 20, 1926 at 3 in the afternoon at Nellie's parents (Mr. and Mrs. John Turnage) home in Byers, Colorado. Fred and Nellie belonged to the First Baptist church of Deer Trail,...

Etymology of the Turnage Name   The Turnidge family began their westward movement from the time they entered the northeast part of North Carolina. They continued west as the opportunity arose, or the land was cleared. Now they are on the west coast in Oregon, Washington and California. Some have not...

Julius Orlando Stone was born April 3, 1840, at Fitzwilliam, New Hampshire, and passed away at Wilsonville, Nebraska,  July 2, 1940, at the age of 100 years, 2 months and 29 days. At the age of 21 he enlisted in the army of the Civil War and served his country in...

Dear Lord, Grant that this little baby may grow to pure clean manhood a blessing to all who loves him a joy in himself. Help that he may make himself useful to mankind and choose a profession of honesty and helpfulness to humanity. Keep him strong, straight in body and thoughts,...

I envision, Grandma Nellie would have written a letter like this to my dad if she could have: January, 1937 Dear Paul, There are times when being a sensitive soul is a curse for those of us endowed with tender temperaments feel life deeply. When I held you in my arms...

    75. Janet Turnage Shoelen (1933) daughter of74. Nona Pierce Turnage (1908) daughter of 73. Alice Stone Pierce (1877-1956) daughter of 72. Olive Bourn Stone (1844-1917) daughter of 71. Olive Ballou Bourn (1804-1872) daughter of 70. Silas Ballou (1777-1863) son of 69. Silas Ballou (1753-1837) (Rev. War hero. Brother of...

August 7, 2008 Dear Grandma Nellie,Nellie Evelana Turnage Hunter. I am 55 years old, so why is it that I suddenly have this need to talk to a grandmother I have never known? Grandpa was born on December 8, 1904 - almost a Christmas baby. You were born in the late...

Paul, Heaven protect thee thou innocent one! The way of life is rough and thorny and often may its flinty rocks wound thy onward treading feet, and its sharp thrones pierce thy hand so eagerly extended to pluck its tempting fruits. Gather up thy strength for the battle of life thou child...

Saturday July 27, 2008 It's been said, "I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time." On Tuesday I will turn 55. Today I learned how to smoke. It's not like I woke up this morning and thought, Hmmm what vice can I...

Since becoming a StoryKeeper I’ve notice something that keeps coming to my attention. Every one of us has defining moments in our life, an event or experience of such physical or emotional intensity that it has a profound impact on the nature and direction of our life.        Moments...

Lord, I want to be real. If being real means that I am alone, and in that solitude You walk with me, then let me be alone, accompanied for the moment only by You. If being real means that I struggle with the weakness of others, and wonder at my ability...

Though the waiting area next to the Radiation-Oncology department of St. Joseph Hospital is spacious, I feel like I am suffocating. We make our way to a wooden bench next to a gently flowing waterfall, and make small talk. "I heard them read the twenty-third Psalm over the PA system a...

God whispers to my heart at the strangest times, and in the strangest places. There are other more prestigious eateries in town, but I like Taco House. The food is so-so; it's the memories that keep me coming back. Since I can remember, my family has frequented the simple café, munching...

It was pretty routine, if you don't count the incident with the milk. I'd exchanged small talk with the cashier and sympathized with the sacker over his bundle of defective bags. I'd watched nonchalantly as he sacked my groceries; paid scant attention as he bagged the milk. Then I watched in...

Fibro-fo g. It's just one of the many symptoms of fibromyalgia, also known affectionately as "thorn in the flesh" or "pain in the toosh." It's estimated that 7-10 million Americans have it, most of them women which, in fact, explains why we of the gentler sex sometimes say and do the...

His uttered oath of profanity doesn't surprise me much.  For some reason - be it right or wrong -  it seems consistent with motorcycles, bandannas and leather jackets.  Nevertheless, I turn around in my seat to see. Hubby Rob and I have stopped at a small coffee shop in downtown Colorado...

My two teenage sons and I follow our growling stomachs to the local fast-food restaurant.  Lunch trays in hand, we maneuver our cokes and spicy-chicken sandwiches through the crowd and settle at a table.  Andy takes a bite of lunch, then pauses, a look of utter incredulity on his face. His blue...

My reason for breaking the rules? Simple, I'm in a hurry and there's no time to find a buddy. I'm going on my first assignment for Neighbors Who Care, a ministry to victims of crime and I'm running late. Jesus learned obedience by the things He suffered. By days end, I would...