My Story And Other Family Memories

" Give me clean hands, clean words and clean thoughts.Help me to stand for the hard right against the easy wrong.Save me from habits that harm. Teach me to work as hard and play as fair in Thy sight alone as if the whole world saw. Forgive me when I am unkind and help me to forgive those who are unkind to me. Send me a chance to do a little good each day so that I may grow more like Christ. Amen."

This prayer was learned at an early age when I was a member of the Friendly Indians, probably when I was eight or nine years old. It has remained with me and repeated many times throughout the years. The Friendly Indians was an organization sponsored by the YMCA with the mission to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body. The YMCA is unable to provide any information as to the origin of the prayer or its author. This prayer and the "Golden Rule" is how I have tried to live my life. There have been many twists and turn and ups and downs. After reading my story and other family memories I hope that you have a better understanding of me and some of my idiosyncrasies. The only thing that I can tell you about "hot dogs and apple pie" is that it is my American tradition. Is there anything any more American than apple pie or hot dogs? Try, you may like it!