Words to Live By

If you know me, you are aware that family history, local history, and cemetery research are major hobbies for me! The blue shirt in the picture was a gift from my sister Kellie. It reads "Family History Detective," and came from the gift shop of the Allen County Public Library in Fort Wayne. (And wow, do I appreciate that library, through personal visits and remote research. God bless ACPL!!)

My adult daughter, Melanie, recently passed away after a sudden illness, at the age of 47. Her death has caused me to ponder life and death. I have been thinking about the words I choose to live by.

First, I choose to live by this passage of scripture from the King James  Version of the Bible:

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Matthew 22: 37-39

37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.

38 This is the first and great commandment.

39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

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Next are two quotes, that help me often.

"Whatever you are, be a good one."

Though often attributed to Abraham Lincoln, a quick search online indicates  that it was most likely said by William Makepeace Thackery.

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The final words I try to live by are:

"Figure it out."

Whatever challenges come my way, I try to sit down, pray, and come up with a reasonable plan.

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Thank you for reading my words to live by!