Children – Page 6 – Jennifer's Journal

A Lesson in Compassion

Published on June 21, 2014January 17, 2016 by J. Kelland Perry35 Comments

One of the most valuable lessons we can teach our children is kindness and compassion for all living things, no matter how big or small.

This topic is on my mind because I was disturbed to read this morning of yet another local case of animal cruelty. How does a person exist, and sleep at night, who can commit such cruel acts against an innocent and defenseless animal?

I find it difficult to believe a child raised to respect and empathise with the feelings of all creatures can grow up into someone who can treat an animal with cruelty. My dad, in particular, taught us how to care for all living things. We grew up with pets, as many do, but it was more than that. He taught by example. He not only loved that little spider that he picked up and brought outdoors, he wished it well.

I wish every small child could experience that kind of lesson.

Teaching a child not to step on a caterpillar is as valuable to the child as it is to the caterpillar. ~ Bradley Miller

Our task must be to widen our circle of compassion, to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty. ~ Albert Einstein

It is widely believed that empathy training for children can prevent violence, against animals and human beings. What are you doing to teach children compassion?

Sweet Daughter

Published on June 14, 2014January 17, 2016 by J. Kelland Perry18 Comments

My One-Year-Old Daughter and Me

Denise was born on a beautiful sunny day, just like today. She decided to show up three weeks before her due date of July 6th. Born at Carbonear Hospital, she was the smallest baby there at the time, weighing a dainty five pounds, seven ounces.
My life as a very young mother had begun!

Denise at Six Years Old

Denise was a happy child, but she was also softhearted, intelligent, and focused.

Bachelor of Nursing Graduate

She always worked hard to realize her goals.

Her Beautiful Family

Happy Birthday, Denise! I am so proud of you, and can’t imagine my life without you in it!
Love Mom ❤

“…even when I can’t see you anymore”

Published on May 6, 2014August 23, 2014 by J. Kelland Perry21 Comments

I’m away from home this week, lending a hand with my daughter’s children while their regular sitter is on vacation. This morning while I was waiting for the kindergarten school bus with my six-year-old grandson, we had this conversation:

“J, why are you so cute?”

He smiled a little smile and said, “That’s what my mom always asks me.”

“Are you going to love Nanny even when she’s an old, old granny?”

He looked at me. “Yes. And I’ll love you even when you go away forever and I can’t see you anymore.”

With those words, I felt an abrupt squeeze around my heart. I think it broke a little.

I realized, since he and his sister had already lost one grandparent, this was a part of life he now expected.

I pray I’m there for you for a long, long time, my precious boy! ❤

BLUE BIRD of HAPPINESS

Published on April 30, 2014April 30, 2014 by J. Kelland PerryLeave a comment

This being the last day of Autism Awareness month, I am reblogging Kath Unsworth’s post on the topic. She has such a gentle yet inspirational way of explaining how autism has touched her life.

The loss of my daughter Kaitlyn by suicide

Published on February 28, 2014August 23, 2014 by J. Kelland Perry21 Comments

Rhonda deals with the loss of her beautiful daughter last spring by blogging about it. Heart-wrenching, powerful, and beautifully written, she tells how even those closest to us often keep depression hidden. Please ask for help if this is you.

My Bright Shining Star

On 4-11-13 I lost my beautiful, brilliant 23 year old daughter to suicide due to the illness that she kept from me and all others all her life, depression. This is the story of my travel down this road of horrendous pain and disbelief, and stories of her wonderfulness as a person

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Happy Birthday, Son ♥

Published on January 16, 2014March 24, 2014 by J. Kelland Perry17 Comments

Due to an interruption in our internet service, this post didn’t go online yesterday as it should have on my son’s birthday. My apologies!

In the midst of a snowstorm back in the eighties, my boy decided to make his debut into the world. Because I couldn’t make it to Carbonear Hospital, Brian was delivered in the nearby cottage hospital, a high point for the staff there that day. He was a strapping nine pounds seven ounces, and I was thrilled to have a little boy, as I had a girl at home.

**waiting for a piece of dough to play with from my batch of bread**

As most little boys are growing up, my son was a bundle of energy who kept me on my toes, but he was also super-affectionate.

♥

How quickly the years have flown by! Here is Brian in his teens.

Happy Birthday, Honey. You have enriched our lives beyond measure. ~ Love, Mom ♥

“Mom, where do babies come from?”

Published on November 1, 2013March 22, 2016 by J. Kelland Perry29 Comments

During our stay in Bonavista last month, we took a drive to nearby Elliston. The claim to fame of this charming little community is its reputation as the
“Root Cellar Capital of the World.”

More than 130 root cellars have been documented in the Elliston area, dating back as far as 1839, and some of them are still in use today. The people who settled here grew their own vegetables, which were stored in the root cellars. A well-built cellar stayed dry and kept a constant, cool temperature year round.

cut away showing the construction of a cellar

But by now, you are probably asking, what does any of this have to do with where babies come from?

Well, according to Elliston folklore, the older folks told the children that babies came from root cellars. In the words of a Mrs. Ella Pearce,

They said they used to dig the babies out with a silver shovel. We used to go to the cellars and listen for babies. We never questioned our parents. We thought everything they said was true. They had midwives in them days, and we thought they used to dig them out.”

So folks, I’ve learned about yet another way babies come into the world, to add to the well-known tales of the Cabbage Patch and the Stork.

Are there any other explanations for how babies got here, that parents may have told their children? (besides the TRUTH, of course!)

Please share with me below if you have knowledge of more fascinating folklore!

For more info on Elliston, click here.

Sunshine, Surf and Sand

Published on August 24, 2013March 24, 2014 by J. Kelland Perry26 Comments

Is there anything that captures the carefree magic of summer more than spending warm days playing at the beach? When the kids came to visit this week, they happily took advantage of the many delights the seaside has to offer.

Our little girl made a new friend :) — Our little girl makes a new friend 🙂

Building sand castles, catching hermit crabs in their little shells – and releasing them again – jumping over frothy waves and off of sand dunes, letting their dog run free, all this and more made for a memorable summer holiday.

Nico loved his newfound freedom — Nico loves his newfound freedom

Nico probably had the best vacation a dog ever had. The freedom to explore the coastline, running after beach birds that couldn’t be caught, he was a joy to watch as he galloped across the sand in wide circles around us.

Our little girl played with her new friend from Ontario every chance she got, as if they had always known each other. When the time came to say goodbye, she cried, but they exchanged addresses and made plans to become pen pals until they could see each other again. 🙂

The day they left, our little boy said he wished he lived here because he didn’t have a “backyard beach” at home.

Come back for more fun any time you want, precious boy. — Come back for more fun any time you want, precious children.

Travel Theme: Play
Weekly Photo Challenge: Focus

Beach Golf, Anyone?

Published on July 14, 2013March 24, 2014 by J. Kelland Perry41 Comments

Disclaimer: No wildlife was harmed during the creation of this photo shoot.

My son came for a visit here in Newtown this past week. On one of the days, I went along to take pics of him and my husband playing beach golf. This beautiful sandy beach is only a few hundred yards from our house. The weather was cool and windy, but I liked the way the photos turned out.