Momma taught us about character

I would like to share a story about my mother that revolutionized my life. Her actions not only formed and shaped who I am today but should inspire mothers in similar situations to take the road less traveled that builds character and integrity.
I was raised in a single-parent home and remember my childhood like it was yesterday. This story takes place in much the same economic climate as today — the Carter years, full of job losses, high unemployment and welfare being passed around like candy.
Mom worked as a waitress and easily qualified for food stamps. I was 12 years old and eager to fill the grocery cart because we had “free” food stamps. As we rolled up to the cashier, I remember Mom sifting through her pocketbook. She pulled out the food stamps. What happened next changed my life forever. She looked down at me, tore the food stamps in half and took out her wallet. With all she had in her billfold, she paid for the groceries.
Mom then went on and got a second job. She taught me that we don’t take government handouts, that the strength and character of true Americans is found in hard work and trusting God, not government.
Today, our country desperately needs people like my mother who will rise above a pitiful government handout, go to work and watch God take them to new heights of achievement. John F. Kennedy said, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.”
Mothers, give your children a heritage they can be proud of, a work ethic — not a “you owe me” attitude.
At 73, Mom still runs her own business, works out on her treadmill and looks 25 years younger than she is. Thank you, Momma, for the example you are to your two boys and their families. Happy Mother’s Day. We love you.
— Mike Kluttz
Salisbury

Natural, unnatural
First I would like to applaud the mayor of Salisbury for not declaring a Pride Day for unnatural lifestyles. After that, the Pride representatives compared themselves to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who was working for the natural rights for his people. Now in Charlotte some church is suing to perform unnatural lifestyle marriages.
I am calling it unnatural because it is not natural like the rest of the world. I guess you are calling me a bigot and anti-gay by now, but I am against the unnatural act being passed as natural.
The world is based on the male and female concept, the smallest insect to the largest mammal, to reproduce their kind. No male and male or female and female (unless things have changed that I don’t know about) can reproduce their kind, so they have to recruit to keep going. So they have people teaching that it is right and nothing is wrong with it, and a good place for that is in our schools.
Since they have come out to declare their unnatural lifestyle, they claim their rights have been taken away. No, they haven’t; they gave them up. The rights are based on the natural, not the unnatural.
You call me intolerant for what I write, so what can I call you for what you say? It’s a two-way street.
You should go to your mom and dad to give them a big hug and thank them for not living an unnatural lifestyle. If they had, you would not be here today.
Correct me if I am wrong about the world.
— Don Heglar
Rockwell