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Letter to a Little Girl

by Sandra Bennett
TCF

22 May

Dear Pie:

*Things to worry about:

Worry about courage
Worry about cleanliness
Worry about efficiency
Worry about horsemanship. …

*Things not to worry about:

Don’t worry about popular opinion
Don’t worry about dolls
Don’t worry about the past
Don’t worry about the future
Don’t worry about growing up
Don’t worry about anybody getting ahead of you
Don’t worry about triumph
Don’t worry about failure unless it comes through your own fault
Don’t worry about mosquitoes
Don’t worry about flies
Don’t worry about insects in general
Don’t worry about parents
Don’t worry about boys
Don’t worry about disappointments
Don’t worry about pleasures
Don’t worry about satisfactions

*Things to think about:

What am I really aiming at?

     Scott

F. Scott Fitzgerald, a devoted father, doted upon his only child, Frances, aka “Scottie”. In 1933, when Frances was 11 years old and away at camp, she received this letter from her father.

Personal note…Please forgive me for not posting more; life has changed seasons and with the coming of more daylight, there’s more work to be done both inside and outside. As God brings you to mind, you’re tucked into prayer.

Blessings ~ great authors ~ children ~ interesting work ~ prayer ~ nothing to worry about that God cannot handle ~

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Comments

  1. Sandra Bennett says

    May 27, 2013 at 1:07 pm

    Donna, there's not a day that goes by that I don't lift my head and say, "Thank You, God, for allowing me to live in such a beautiful place."

    Robyn, it's busy for a lot of reasons, more to come.

    Farm Girl, winter began in October and we've had frost end of May; it seems to want to hold on loooong.

    Karen, I do rest, weather permitting, on one of the porches. I find my eyes need to be rested on God's creation quite frequently.

    Marydon, such a beautiful part of WV, so glad you enjoyed the trip.

    Dewena, I need to keep focus on the answers, not the questions; I need to keep focused on Him, not myself.

    Deanna, sweet blessings to you!

    Mildred, spring is fighting to stay and, slowly, winning the battle.

    Yvonne, you're right…worry won't help, only hurt.

    MK, yes, you can worry about snakes!

    Dawn, you and me both! How do you pin?

    Grace, yep, worry about horsemanship, always!

    Kathy, there's more work than there is of me.

    Paula, I'll raise a glass of sweet ice tea in your honor today, Memorial Day.

    Elizabeth, thanks for stopping by.

    Tammy, we're not to worry at all but it's still good advice from Scott.

    Charlotte, post as we can, eh?

    Kathy, such easy advice to give, so hard to take and yet, life is so much better when we don't worry.

    Sara, when you find the cure, please share! -love you-

    Bonnie, thanks for stopping by and would love to hear of your VA childhood.

    Reply
  2. From the Kitchen says

    May 26, 2013 at 7:23 pm

    How lovely!! And, I love seeing your mountains as they remind me of my Virginia childhood in a valley surrounded by mountains. They made me feel safe and I miss them!!

    Best,
    Bonnie

    Reply
  3. Sweet Magnolias Farm says

    May 26, 2013 at 4:54 pm

    There are day's I worry and day's I don't . I wish I could cure myself completely of any worry at all because ultimately I know my life is in the Lord's hands ..

    What a sweet note !

    You are always in our prayer's Sandra !

    Have a Lovely weekend !
    Sara

    Reply
  4. KathyB. says

    May 26, 2013 at 7:05 am

    If only we could remember these things and how temporal so many of life's crises and trials really are.

    I completely understand the need to be outdoors getting things done, and even simply enjoying the blessings of warm sunny day in such a beautiful place as your home. Blessings to you Sandra.

    Reply
  5. Elizabeth@ Pine Cones and Acorns says

    May 26, 2013 at 1:08 am

    Very good advice. Hope you have. Great weekend.

    Reply
  6. Charlotte Wilson says

    May 24, 2013 at 5:34 pm

    Sandra, I love this post! Very good advice for anyone.
    Believe me, I understand your not posting all the time. Look at me. :o)

    Reply
  7. Tammy says

    May 24, 2013 at 3:14 am

    I aim to not worry about the little things. Sounds like that was what he was trying to impart to his daughter. The work you have to do every day must be hard and yet so rewarding, too. Wishing you all the best. Tammy

    Reply
  8. commoncents says

    May 24, 2013 at 2:17 am

    Sharyl Attkisson Strange things have been happening to my computer since February 2011

    http://commoncts.blogspot.com/2013/05/sharyl-attkisson-strange-things-have.html

    Reply
  9. Paula Fraker says

    May 24, 2013 at 12:45 am

    That was a wonderful (and very wise) poem from a daddy to his daughter… 🙂
    I know there is much to do at your place, for it is also at mine, but… please don't work too hard, sweet friend. ((HUGS))

    Reply
  10. kathyinozarks says

    May 24, 2013 at 12:22 am

    not to worry-so much to do once spring arrives-hugs

    Reply
  11. (GBS) NewsFromTheHill says

    May 23, 2013 at 8:57 pm

    Oh good, I can worry about my horsemanship!! Enjoy the spring!!

    Reply
  12. Dawn González says

    May 23, 2013 at 6:04 pm

    Pinning this. The more I learn about F. Scott F. the more I love him.

    Reply
  13. M.K. says

    May 23, 2013 at 4:13 pm

    Ah!!! He didn't say, "Don't worry about snakes." So it's okay to worry about snakes!!! Yay!

    Reply
  14. La Petite Gallery says

    May 23, 2013 at 11:37 am

    • Smuttynose is an unusual name for a company. What is its origin?
    Our company is named for Smuttynose Island, the third largest of the nine islands that comprise the Isles of Shoals, a small, rocky archipelago that lies seven miles off the coast of New Hampshire and Maine. The name appears on nautical charts going back as far as the seventeenth century, so its true origins are lost to time. Prior to the arrival of Smuttynose Brewing, the island was best known for a brutal double axe murder that occurred there in 1873.

    Reply
  15. La Petite Gallery says

    May 23, 2013 at 11:29 am

    worry, won't help. Now I happen to love Scott Fitzgerald, I named a one of my cabins Fitzgerald, wolfe
    and other writers that wrote in North Carolina. Check this out about the Murders..
    http://home.myfairpoint.net/espooner/id53.html

    http://home.myfairpoint.net/espooner/id53.html

    Reply
  16. Anonymous says

    May 23, 2013 at 10:14 am

    Hi Sandra, Thinking of you this morning. I know you must be surrounded with the beauty of spring. Take care.

    Reply
  17. Deanna says

    May 23, 2013 at 4:20 am

    SweeT Blessings to you!

    Reply
  18. Dewena Callis says

    May 23, 2013 at 1:17 am

    "What am I really aiming at?" Always something i have to ask myself over and over. I'm also thinking about that midnight hour you wrote about in Sabbath Keeping.

    You take care, Sandra. Remember what you're aiming at right now is different from what it may be some day.

    Reply
  19. Marydon says

    May 22, 2013 at 11:35 pm

    Sandra, my precious friend ~ Yes, it was Cass … We had a lovely drive thru uncharted areas. We saw spring just beginning in the mts. to enjoy once again.

    How are you doing, sweet friend? I know you have to be busy. Love the letter …

    Have a lovely holiday weekend …
    Big Hugs,
    TTFN ~
    Marydon

    Reply
  20. Pom Pom says

    May 22, 2013 at 11:23 pm

    Oh, Sandra. Do take at least a little time each evening to rest. I know that our King of kings is working to make all things new and good. Sending HEAPS of love your way!

    Reply
  21. Farm Girl says

    May 22, 2013 at 7:28 pm

    Lovely letter and enjoy your work. 🙂 It has taken it's sweet time getting there for you. Who wants to be in the house after so long a winter, right?

    Reply
  22. Robyn@SimplyMe1970 says

    May 22, 2013 at 5:41 pm

    Beautiful post Sandra.. I can only imagine how busy you must be.. Thinking of you!
    XO

    Reply
  23. Donna says

    May 22, 2013 at 12:55 pm

    I know that life must be very busy for you right now on the farm! Best wishes to you, and I hope you get a few moments to enjoy the seasonal beauty around you!

    Reply

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