Reflections At Sunset
by Juliette Lively Dickey
FAMILY ARE SPECIAL PEOPLE
It all started years ago in the backwoods of Georgia with my Dad who was an old man when I was born - a very old grouchy man to others - who always had a kind word for me. He always saw to it I was not pushed aside in the midst of thirteen children. He cared for me and looked after my well being along with that of the other children. I think I am, and have always been, the quietest of all the children in my family.
I remember on the cold winter nights when my dad would come into our unheated bedroom making sure we children were all covered, snug and warm in our beds. I remember him making the older children stand aside and putting me in close to the fireplace to get warm. Little things but big important things to a small child. Even though I was the eighth of thirteen children I was ME - someone special. My feelings were of utmost importance.
When I was a teenager and dating I always had in mind to find that special someone to marry and I did. My husband makes me feel very special and I hope in turn I make him feel that he is the most special person in the world, because he is. He is unique in his way of thinking, and has a way of expressing himself that few others have. He is a very exhilarating person and sometimes explosive but always gentle in his ways of dealing with me or the children. Just being near him to listen to him and enjoy his way of telling things are a thrill. He is never idle but always working at something, always creative and a master at building things. This talent for building he has passed on to his sons. He taught them with patience from their earliest years all phases of the work.
I have tried to pass this feeling of being special along to all of our children, individually, As they are all special to me in their own way. I have never treated them alike as they are not alike in disposition, looks, or intellect. They are very special as individuals to me and to their dad. We have tried to impress upon them that they are special if for no other reason than that they belong to us. They are our offspring and we are special people.
The oldest is special because of his way of digging into books, weightier matters and always studying just for the enjoyment of learning new and challenging things. He has always enjoyed debates and studies to do the best job possible in everything that he undertakes. He enjoys competition and comes out feeling good about his ability even when he has not always won first place.
The second son is special in his own way being entirely different in disposition. He is more of an on-the-spot thinker and doer. He learns from association with people and things, loves people and enjoys mixing and being with others. He encourages others by helping them while he himself may be in need of help at the same time. He is good with children and treats his own as if they are something special.
Our third son is an individual private person. Special in his way of enjoying being by himself more than with other people and keeping his feelings to himself. He, too has a special place for his children but as usual he will not let others see how deeply he cares for them but keeps that private between himself and his children. Sometimes even to the exclusion of his wife. He is a very hard worker and provides well for his family, attends college and does other part time jobs as well as his full time job.
Our oldest daughter is more like her dad in personality with an unusual ability to meet and be at ease with all people, rich, poor, young, old, good or bad with whom she comes in contact. She has a way of making all feel that they too are special people just by talking to her. She has had a variety of jobs and studies that have helped her develop this dynamic personality.
Our youngest child, a daughter, is another special person in her own way with an explosive and volatile personality and her way of defending herself against all people who are older and taller than she. She has a very determined manner about her for one so small in statue. An outdoors girl with a big truck for transportation, but yet she has the ability to draw, paint and is very creative.
All of my family are very special people and I hope that you, too will see the need to encourage each and every child to be a special person in all that they endeavor to undertake. As infants they need that special feeling of belonging. As small children they need this special feeling to become aware of family and friends. As teenagers they need this special feeling to endure all the problems that teenagers face with dating and learning to become more reliable for themselves rather than lean on mom and dad. As adults they need this special feeling to endure all the trials and heartaches that come with living and caring for a family and to have the ability to pass on this very special feeling to other people.
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