Today, Sunday 4th February 2007, our grand-daughters and are here to celebrate early the older ones's birthday. They've brought a friend with them, a lovely boy who gave me flowers, says, please and thank you, and is quietly courteous all the time. All the time. He is also genial, smiles easily and does not appear to be in any way "repressed". I do hope some one who reads this and has difficult children, will start to think about cutting out TV, talk to their children more, introducing them to the concept of grandparents and aunts and uncles and what to expect from real friends , and ... start introducing books where people speak to each with grammar and syntax as well as courteously, and lastly, give them more physical activity. My grand-daughters become grotty when they have been cooped up with too much TV/gameboys/lack of fresh air. And their TV etc is limited compared with most children's daily ration if I am to believe the various magazine and newspaper articles that have come my way. Talking of the latter, I have had two letters published in a local rag, and am still surprised. I have sent the odd letter to the odd paper for years, not expecting any interest, and there was not, but on these last two occasions I did not care! I had to write because I was so upset. It's up to you, Holy Spirit. If these letters have something to say that is important to you and You want someone else to read them, thank you. Hmm. It worked this time. I knew, of course, about thanking God before one receives something, all the saints have encouraged this attitude, but it is very hard to do with faith!