Local columns

Kiki’s Corner: Thinking about kids as they return to school

This time of the year, when school starts, I think about the students, the young kids of all ages, and their future.

We often wonder what goes through their minds when they enter the school doors. It depends on their age. They have different goals. The young ones are excited to be with their friends and can't wait for recess so they can play. Junior high, it's a little bit different, and high school life starts getting a little bit more serious. They feel like they better buckle up and concentrate on their schooling and where and what college to go to or a trade or profession. There is a lot of stress in their life, regardless of what road they choose, and hopefully that road is the right one to be successful.

Now is the time to have a talk with your child or children and tell them, "Listen, your life is your own journey, and it's the right time to shape it with your choices. Everyone has a different path,and different challenges. Focus on your goals and learn from every experience. There will be difficult days and easy days. Keep moving forward, even if progress feels slow, but never forget your life is precious. You deserve to live it with purpose and gratitude. Don't forget to choose what makes you happy, be around people who respect you, and never stop believing in the person you're becoming."

The older we get, the more we believe that someone making time for you make it clear they care about you. Make it clear to them that everyone is busy. Everyone has a responsibility for their own battles to fight. In other words, they try to tell you "You matter to me" without having to say the words.

And if they're lucky, besides having good parents, having a good friends is very important. They can share some difficulties they might have in their life or some happy occasions. It's always nice when you have a good friend.

"Thank you for your support, and I'm grateful that you're always there no matter what" - simple words like that are very important to let your friends know how much they mean to you.

Every small step forward brings you closer to your goals. You need to have confidence, experience and strength.

Action is the bridge between dreams and success. Hard work without action produces no results, but do stay focused. Take the first step and keep moving forward. Waiting for the perfect moment at times delays success. Many of our mistakes become valuable lessons.

Also, you can tell your child your future is created by what you do today. You should be pleased with your achievements, regardless of whether they're small or large, because the power of action turns dreams into reality and goals into happy days ahead of you! Everyone can make promises, but actions show the truth. What you do every day says more about your character than what you say.

Someday you will realize that everything you have gone through was a blessing from above. Just a reminder that at the end, everything is going to be OK. Life is full of ups and downs, and hard times are a part of everyone's journey. The challenges you face today will not last forever. Keep believing in yourself and continue taking small steps. Focus on what you can control and let go of unnecessary worries.

In simple words, everything is going to be OK. Stay hopeful, stay strong, and trust the process.

Till next week.

***

Yummy fruit salad

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1 1/2 cups water

1 tsp butter or oleo

1 tsp vanilla

6 cups apples, cubed and unpeeled

2 cups red seedless grapes, halved

1 cup celery, diced

1 cup walnuts, halved

In a saucepan, combine sugar and flour. Stir in water; bring to a boil. Cook and stir until mixture thickens. Remove from heat. Stir oleo and vanilla. Cool at room temperature. In a large bowl, combine apples, grapes and celery. Add the dressing and toast lightly. Add walnuts. Refrigerate until serving. Yields 8-10 servings.

***

Unbaked cookies

2 cups sugar

1/2 cup cocoa

1/2 cup PET milk

1/2 stick oleo

1/2 cup peanut butter

1 tbsp vanilla

Stir first four ingredients until it comes to a boil. Remove from heat and add peanut butter, oatmeal and vanilla. Drop by teaspoon onto wax paper.

***

Chocolate rice cookies

1/2 stick margarine

12 oz milk chocolate chips

1/2 cup white corn syrup

1 cup powdered sugar

1 teaspoon spoon vanilla

4 cups of Rice Crispies

Melt chocolate, margarine, syrup until heated through. Remove from stove and add sugar, vanilla and cereal. Stir well and spread on greased cookie sheet.