“Faith, like light, should always be simple and unbending;
while love, like warmth, should beam forth on every side
and bend to every necessity of our brother.”

+ Martin Luther

This poem by Shel Silverstein sums it up:

“I’ve discovered a way
to stay friends forever -
There’s really nothing to it.
I simply tell you what to do…
And you do it!“

Taking care of a person with significant disabilities is a 24/7 proposition. Serenity can be hard to find under those circumstances. Consider these three recipes for stirring up some serenity in your life:
+ PRAYER: “God grant me the serenity to accept those things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.”
+ LET GO and LET GOD: “Trust in the Lord with all of your heart. Do not lean on your own understanding. Acknowledge the Lord in all of your ways, and He will make your path straight.” + Proverbs 3:5-6
+ SEEK JOY: “Joy is not in the absence of troubles but in the presence of God.”

July 4 offers unique opportunities for people with special needs to celebrate. + Put on a sun-visor, grab a bottle of water, and enjoy your hometown parade. + Grab strawberries and blueberries from a roadside stand or grocery store and put over ice cream or yogurt for a patriotic treat. + Pack a picnic and take a drive through your slice of America the Beautiful. + Play “Name That Tune” with patriotic songs. + Check the schedule for fireworks in your area and enjoy the grandeur. + Say a prayer of thanks for the privilege of living in the land of the free.

We can just sit around complaining about how hot it is, or we can have fun with these “dog days.” Take some purposeful steps to make these last few weeks of summer memorable for folks with special needs. (1) Keep a chart recording the high temperature of the day. Note: If a person is unable to read and write, have them cut out the weather summary from the newspaper or print from Weather.com website and glue in a notebook. (2) Count out one penny for each degree of heat. Save pennies to spend the first day the temperature drops. (3) Put an ice cube on a hot sidewalk and see how long it takes to melt. (4) Put a bandana in the freezer overnight, then tie it around your neck or put it on top of your head for an instant cooling. (5) Lounge under a misty sprinkler in a lawn chair. (6) Find a snow cone stand and enjoy an icy treat. (7) Take a quart of ice cream to a homebound neighbor. (8) Give thanks that God provided the inspiration for electricity and air-conditioning!!!