One More Beat in the Heart of Humanity / Remembering Werner Bendorf / School Calendar

One of the greatest
Love Stories,
is you.

What a Gift
you are.

You are an Earth Angel
with your Compassion and sharing
for the good of all people.
Blessings abound
with of Goodness 
of you.

Great Healing
in this Life,
can come from
you.
.
The weight of pain
carried by so many others,
can be lifted,
by the Hope
shared in your Smiles,
and the music
in your manner.

Remembering
the Beautiful past 
makes you Smile,
while remembering it will never happen
again.
.
The past has passed,
and there are precious moments
that will always be longed for,
and
will always belong to
you.

It helps to understand,
and it heals our state of Being,
 to know how our thinking
is influencing our emotions.

To start Loving Life
again,
Loving Nature,
Loving every Living Being,
there is something
only Prayer can do.

A Masterpiece of Feeling
can carry you through the Moonlit Night,
through the Silver Clouds on high,
and past the dark sky,
as you marvel at Life
on the Earth.
.
Let your Heart
Dream of Joy
and Hope
for a Beautiful Tomorrow.

 As Prayer is
answered,
and the Love of God
touches your Heart,
wipe the tears from your
eyes.

If you are so hurt
now,
express the Love of God
to those that surround you.
.
 You will feel
the Power of His Love
flow through your gentle words.

Give Thanks
to the Lord
and everyone you meet,
for the Life you Live,
and the Blessings that abound.
Your Love,
like the Love of God,
will Live Forever.

Your precious Spirit
will give Peace, Love,
and Hope and Happiness.

The Love of God
that Flows through your precious
Heart,
will provide pure Brilliance
and Blessings
to all.

It
is so Wonderful
to remind everyone,
that
Life can be so Beautiful.

Love
in its simplicity,
captures our awareness,
and makes our Hearts
fly.
.
Listen
to your Sacred Heart
with feeling,
and you will realize
that it is talking with your
Soul.

The Sacred Feelings
of your beating Heart,
speak all the words unsaid,
buried deep within
a Life
waiting to be fully alive,
to Truly be Lived.
with feelings longing
to see the Light.

Your Love
brings a Transcendence
to the Beauty
of this World.

We
are never sure
whether our Lives melt
into the paintings of what is real
around us,
or the paintings just float and melt
into the Lives we Live.

Perhaps,
our thoughts for others
can become
like a blanket,
laying over the Heart
to keep it warm and calm.

In your imagining,
picture the mind’s Eye
sharing the different stories
of seemingly unconnected Lives,
and how they all may all fit together
in a larger Story.

 In
their Entirety,
they go unaware
of the Beautiful Song
their Lives Sing,
as they Live
all the day long.

There is flow,
and movement from motion,
and thought provoking Music
in the Creations
of Loving
interactions.
.
And,
in moments of Loving
one another again,
 a Masterpiece of Feeling
Flows from the LOVE
of God.

We
are His Children
at Play.

As you search for a new perspective
into your Human Heart,
visit with those who Truly Love
you.
Ask about the most poignant moments
in their precious Hearts.

And,
Listen.
And brace yourself.
Other Lives,
other Loves,
come unadorned, rare, raw,
Beautiful.

.It can
make you feel like
Living the Life 
you never had.

Loving words
can bring Hope
to those struggling for Life.
And,
there are many.
.
 Only Love
is capable of overcoming
our difficulties,
and transporting our Hearts
and our minds,
outside of ourselves.

.We are all
Brothers and Sisters.
And in sharing our stories,
we can make us Believe
in ourselves.

We can become
filled with Hope,
and Truly Alive
in the Hearts
of others.

We
can be
one more beat
in the Heart
of Humanity.
.
Goodnight.

Remembering
Werner Bendorf
.
There are many stories to tell.
And our Children Love to hear them.
Some tell of Hope, survival and salvation,
Some of Love everlasting.

As I stood at grave of a man I deeply admired and Loved, beyond Belief, I paused to reflect upon the meaning of his Life, and mine. He first appeared to me at the tender age of ten. His name, Werner Bendorf, and his Life is forever engraved in my memory and alive in my Heart.

He still lives in my Life, day by day, between every beat of my Heart, he smiles, he laughs, he is vibrant in my memory and still shares his Love.

My Heart continues to beat because of his deep and abiding Love, because the depth of his Compassion was far greater than anything I had ever known.

He became the Father I never knew.
He was a Father to many young Souls,
and a Savior to me.

                   Werner with our Children.

Now, into the mix of Life and Living, arrived a truly remarkable man, a new Scoutmaster, Werner Bendorf. He was much more remarkable than I ever realized at the time, and was to me, a Gift from God and my personal Savior.

And his Story is both remarkable and unbelievable. And I would Love to share it with you.

“I’ve learned that if you pursue happiness,
it will elude you.
But if you focus on your family,
the needs of others, your work,
meeting new people,
and doing the very best you can,
Happiness will find you.”
– author unknown

In growing up, I thought Life was difficult. But I had no idea what difficult meant. Werner shared with me stories from his Life. Then I knew what the word meant. And I became Truly Grateful for the Blessings bestowed upon me by my precious Mother, Marie, and Werner and Donald Graves, Billy Earl Graves, Bruce and Sid Curry, Marshall Alexander, Richard Fletcher, Lester Kuperman, Roger Carter and Allen Bendorf and so very many others.

In recognizing the seemingly impossible obstacles others have had to overcome to survive, we gain perspective and a depth of appreciation.

Later, when I dry my tears, I will share some of the unbelievable stories Werner told me about surviving the evil of the holocaust. He and his wife hid in the attic of a farm house for over three years. From the floor to the peak of the attic was about 3 & 1/2 feet. And the discomforts only began there. I could not believe they had a baby during this time. But more about their inspiring story of survival later.

My Mother, Marie, and Werner Bendorf, present the Eagle Scout Award to a younger me (age 12).

Remembering Werner always brings my Heart closer to God. The words of John Newton‘s beloved song, “Amazing Grace“ touch each of us with Truth in a Grace of its own. And I now know that “Home” is a place found deeply embedded in my Heart. It is a place where Werner and his family have resided for many years.

And in his Heart, I found something difficult to believe. After all the suffering, the loss of precious Lives and the horror found everywhere, Werner led me to the threshold of something far more powerful than guns and bombs and torture and the pure evil of murderous minds. He opened his wounded Heart to show me his Forgiveness. And I have never been the same since that day filled me with such Amazing Grace.

“Through many dangers, toils and snares…
we have already come.
T’was Grace that brought us safe thus far…
and Grace will lead us home.”
– John Newton

Knowledge is power
and LIFE.

School Calendar

2022-23
Please check back regularly
for any amendments that may occur.

First Semester
Sept. 6 – December 16   2022

Sept. 6 (TUESDAY)               First Day of First Semester
Oct. 10 (Monday)                   Columbus Day Holiday
Nov. 21 – 25                           Fall Break (and Thanksgiving)
Dec. 16                                   Last Day of Fall Semester

Second Semester

Jan. 3 (TUESDAY)                 Second Semester Begins
Jan. 16  (Monday)                  Dr. Martin L. King Holiday
Feb. 20  (Monday)                  Presidents’ Day Holiday
Mar. 13 – 17                           Spring Break Holiday
April 7 & 10                           Good Friday and Easter Monday Holidays
May 26                                    Last Day of Spring Semester

Lyrics/songs texts/paintings/articles

are property and copyright of their owners
and provided for educational purposes.

Copyright Disclaimer
– Section 107 – Copyright Act 1976,
allowance is made for “fair use”
for purposes such as criticism, comment,
news reporting, teaching, scholarship,and research.
Fair use is permitted by copyright statute.

Non-profit, educational or personal use
tips the balance in favor of “fair use”.

© Copyright 1995-2023
The Anderson Private School.

“He who opens a school door,
closes a prison.“
– Victor Hugo

I wish you all
 Peace.

Hang on
to your Faith.
You will get there.

.

 

Stay in Motion / In-depth Depression Information / Sept. 4: Classes Resume

          My other Mother, Nature.

One thing
I am most grateful for,
is spending so many
of my Sacred Summers
and weekends
with my other Mother,
Nature,
learning how good
Life can be.

                           Sacred Summers

I thank
my precious Mother,
Marie,
each day in Prayer
for trusting in the Lord
and ME.

She placed me
in the care of the greatest man
I have ever met.
He was the Scoutmaster of Troop 17,
Werner Bendorf.
In him,
I found the Loving Father
I never met.
In his precious son,
Allen,
I found a brother.

There are no words
to describe
the Beauty I discovered
in God’s Glorious and Magnificent
World of Nature,
or in truly Loving friendships
fostered over many years,
while camping under
the Stars at night,
and hiking through the woods
in the bright, beautiful Sunlight.

                         Under the Stars at night.

I had a GREAT time
and would not change
a single second
of my many, many adventures.
NOT ONE!

My Dear Friends,
please remember
one antidote for depression,
which we ALL are in sufferance of,
is movement – motion.

STAY
in motion
(physically, mentally, emotionally,
Spiritually)
and you will NOT have
the time or wherewithal
to even think about
being depressed.

Stagnant water
becomes undrinkable,
a stagnant mind,
unthinkable,
and a stagnant body –
highly breakable.

There is
a Beautiful Sunset
just on the horizon.

                                              Stay in motion.

Go outside.
Celebrate Life!
Show your child
just how good
Life can be.

Goodnight.

From our friends at WEBMD:

Depression

An estimated 19 million American adults are living with major depression. At WebMD you’ll find in-depth depression information including symptoms, medications, and therapy.

Here are some of the things you can do:

Reach Out

Meet a close friend for a walk if you have one nearby. If they’re all too far away, make a call. Talking with someone you care about can help you feel supported and less stressed. Along with lifting your mood, research shows it can strengthen your immune system so your body is better at fighting illness, and it’s good for your heart, too.

Have a Little Dark Chocolate

It has chemicals called flavanols that can make more blood flow to your brain and may help you think more clearly. But don’t overdo it. Chocolate also has fat and calories and lots of caffeine, too. Just a small square of the dark stuff – 70% cocoa or more – 2 or 3 times a week may be all you need.

Play Some Tunes

Music can affect your brain in the same way chocolate does. And when you sing along – it doesn’t matter how well – your brain makes natural painkillers that can give your mood a boost.

Laugh

This can help ease tension in your muscles, and when you breathe in quickly, your heart and lungs get a boost, too. Laughing also makes your brain release chemicals that help your body fight pain and infection. So hunt down some funny clips of your favorite TV show. It’s not goofing off – it’s good for you.

Do a Good Deed

When you do something nice for someone, your body makes hormones called endorphins. These are natural painkillers linked to trust, pleasure, and a connection with other people. Helping others also has been shown to raise your self-esteem.

Hug Your Dog

Just being around your pet can make you feel better. Your body releases a hormone called oxytocin that lifts your mood and bonds you to other living things.

Drink Water

When your body needs water, you can feel tired, cranky, or a little blah. It may even affect your mental sharpness. If you’re not excited about drinking a glass of water, you can get it from food: Fruits and vegetables are good sources.

Go Outside

Not only can it lift your mood, but it also can be good for your blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension, and stress level. You’ll get even more out of it if you take your dog with you and add in some exercise. At the office, a plant on your desk or a picture of the woods can make you feel less anxious or irritable.

Exercise

You don’t have to sweat it out at the gym. A 10-minute walk seems to lift your spirits just as well as a 45-minute workout. And people who exercise often deal with stress better overall. Invite a friend and do something outside to boost the benefit.

Eat Something (Healthy)

If you don’t eat enough to fuel your day, you can get tired, hungry, and maybe even a little snippy – “hangry.” Just make sure to eat the good stuff: Whole grains, vegetables, fruits, and lean meats have nutrients to feed your brain and perk you up. They also take longer to digest, so you have energy throughout the day instead of all at once. Things like junk food may give you a boost, but a crash may follow.

Meditate

Focus on your breath and try to keep your mind free of thoughts. When a worry enters your mind, try to let it go. It’s OK if you get distracted – the point of meditation is to continue to try. It can calm you down and lift your mood, especially if you make it a regular part of your day.

Rest

Sleep can ease anxiety and boost your mood and focus — try for 7 to 9 hours a night. If you have trouble going to sleep, keep your room cool, dark, and quiet and don’t watch TV or use the computer right before you turn in. It also helps to go to bed and get up at the same times every day.

Take a Vacation

If you just can’t shake out of it, you may need time to recharge, relax, and take stock. This can help you see all the good things in your life that get lost in the rush of daily routine. It also gets you away from the stress of work or home life and can help you bond with family and friends.

Click here for more information

                                 Hug Your Dog

Lyrics/songs texts/paintings/articles
are property and copyright of their owners
and provided for educational purposes.

Copyright Disclaimer – Section 107 – Copyright Act 1976,
allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship,and research. Fair use is permitted by copyright statute. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of “fair use”.

© Copyright 1995-2018 The Anderson Private School.
All Rights Reserved

God is constantly in motion showing us what a Great Artist He is.

Our Children of the Holocaust / The Great Milkweed Grow Out / Spring Break This Week

Dedicated to the memory
of the precious Children
who died in the holocaust.
They
were OUR children.

    Our children are the sons and daughters of us all.

There are many stories to tell.
And our children love to hear them.
Some tell of hope, survival and salvation,
Some of Love everlasting.

My Dear Friends,
we need to share them.

As I stood at the grave
of a man I deeply admired and loved,
beyond belief,
I paused to reflect upon the meaning of his Life,
and mine.
He first appeared to me at the tender age of ten.
His name, Werner Bendorf,
and his Life is forever engraved in my memory
and vibrant and alive in my Heart.
.
He still lives
in my Life, day by day,
between every beat of my Heart,
he smiles, he laughs, he is vibrant
in my memory
and
still shares his Love.
.
My heart continues to beat
because of his deep and abiding Love,
because the depth of his compassion
was far greater than anything
I had ever known.

He became the Father I never knew.
He was a Father to many young Souls,
and a Savior to me.
And by the Grace of God,
a survivor of the Holocaust
and a Divine Gift
to everyone.

Werner
shared many private thoughts
with me during our years
together.
I am in tears
as I share
the next moment.

How well I remember
beside a glowing campfire
one evening,
he told me in a calm
and very quiet voice,
that he sought
Forgiveness
in his Heart
for those who had
caused so much pain,
so much misery.
And we Prayed
together
for Forgiveness.

What a remarkable
Man.

I still Pray
that all may be
Forgiven.

“I have heard My people cry.
All who dwell in dark and sin,
My hand will save.
I who made the stars of night,
I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear My light to them?
Whom shall I send?

Here I am Lord,
Is it I Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go Lord,
if You lead me.
I will hold Your people in my Heart.

I, the Lord of snow and rain,
I have born my peoples pain.
I have wept for Love of them,
They turn away.
I will break their Hearts of stone,
Give them Hearts for Love alone.
I will speak My word to them,

Whom shall I send?
Here I am Lord,
Is it I Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night.
I will go Lord,
if You lead me.
I will hold Your people
in my Heart.
– Dan Schutte
click to play the beautiful “Here I Am Lord”

We sculpt the future
with our imagination,
what we perceive to be.
And by our transgressions,
forget that I am
me.

In the act of forgiving
the mind is Blessed,
as it forgets.
The Heart Divine
no longer remembers,
set free from deep regrets.

The Love of God
Is like a raging
River of Light,
carrying Salvation
into the dark
pit of Night.

So this Life,
this Dream,
from which we awake one day,
will find us forgiven,
should we ask to be,
and forever
in the Bright Morning Light
of God’s Eternal Love.

And breathless will we be,
in Love
with Love,
Eternally.

“Oh I believe there are,
Angels among us
Sent down to us,
From somewhere up Above.
They come to you and me,
In our darkest hours
To show us how to live,
To teach us how to give
To guide us with the
Light of Love.”
– Steve Goodman, Becky Hobbs

To this day,
I consider the youngest son
of Werner Bendorf,
Allen,
to be my Brother.
.
I remember
dozens of memorable camping trips with him
when his precious Father,
Werner,
was our Scoutmaster of
Troop 17.

I was Honored
for our own son,
Alexander Allen Anderson,
to be named after him.
read more

         Werner Bendorf with Alex and Annie

Address
to the United Nations:

“One and a half million Jewish children
perished in the Holocaust.

Tens of thousands
of other children were also
murdered
– girls and boys who faced sheer terror and evil.

Many were orphaned by the war,
or ripped away from their families.

Many died of starvation or disease
at the hands of their abusers.

We will never know
what these children might have contributed
to our
World.

And among the survivors,
many were too shattered
to tell their stories.

            . . .  too shattered to tell their stories.

Today,
we seek to give voice to those accounts.

That is why the United Nations
continues to teach the Universal lessons of the Holocaust.

It is why we strive to promote children’s rights and aspirations
– every day and everywhere.

Raoul Wallenberg

And it is why we will continue to be inspired by the shining example of great humanitarians
such as
Raoul Wallenberg.
(read more)

 

            Today,
as we remember all those lost
during the Holocaust – young and old alike –   I call on all nations to protect the most vulnerable, regardless of race, color, gender or religious beliefs.

Children are uniquely vulnerable
to the worst of Humankind.

We must show them the best
this World has to offer.”

– General Ban Ki-moon
Secretary-General
United Nations

The fate of Jewish and non-Jewish children
fell into the following categories:

(i) killed immediately upon arrival at the death camps — toddlers to 12 years old;
(ii) Killed immediately after birth — Babies in camps, particularly in Ravensbrück (the women’s camp) and in the women’s camp within Auschwitz-Birkenau;
(iii) selected for forced labor or for medical experiments — adolescents aged 12 to 18;
(iv) hidden by prisoners in concentration camps or by non-Jews in Nazi-occupied territories;
(v) escapees from ghettos who joined partisan groups in the forests of eastern Poland or became members of Polish or Jewish underground organizations; and
(vi) massacred in reprisals such as at Lidice in Czechoslovakia and Oradour-sur-Glane in France.    read more

“A child is precious,
a clean slate ready to absorb
the Breath of Life and Experience,
and a bundle of potential
waiting to be unleashed upon the World.”

Over a million possessors of youth
were erased from our world,
killed because of their race,
and helpless victims of intense hatred.

We must look at their deaths as witness
of the cruelty hidden in Humans,
which may be released if a future Holocaust was to arise.
Only by understanding the potential of evil
in all of us may we prevent another tragedy.

Youth is priceless,
and we must remember the children
who were sacrificed for an evil ideal,
and insure that this ideal stays
buried with time.
read more
– by Steven Ostrowski

To purchase this powerful
commemorative poster,
or the recently published book in association with
the Simon Wiesenthal Center
Museum of Tolerance Library and Archives,
Searching for Anne Frank: Letters from Amsterdam to Iowa,
or other items relating to Anne Frank,
for either yourself, your children, or a library,
click here.

 May God Bless you and your family
as we Pray for the precious
children lost in a haze of hatred.

My Dear Friends,
our children
are the sons and daughters
of us
all.

Goodnight.

“God will look to every Soul
like its first Love
because He is its first Love.”
– C.S. Lewis

                         What is Great Milkweed Grow Out?

Great Milkweed Grow Out is an initiative at Desert Botanical Garden to grow milkweeds for monarch butterfly conservation. Monarch butterflies have declined as much as 90% over the last two decades. The good news is that you can help! In the United States, loss of milkweed habitat is a major factor in the decline of the monarchs. You can help by planting milkweed and nectar plants in your backyard.

Milkweed (genus Asclepias) is the only plant that monarch butterflies can lay their eggs on and that caterpillars can eat. Without milkweed, monarchs will not survive. Arizona has 30 species of milkweed native to the state, which means you can find the right milkweed for your backyard.

Great Milkweed Grow Out is increasing both the numbers and species of milkweed available. We are collecting seeds across the state and propagating them. We donate a percentage of our milkweeds to other non-profits and sell milkweeds to the general public through the Desert Botanical Garden’s bi-annual Plant Sale and the Garden Shop. We also plant pollinator gardens at 6-10 schools every year and present about monarchs and milkweed at local community centers.

What can you do for monarchs?

You can plant a butterfly garden! Top 5 tips for planting a butterfly garden:

1. Include host plants: Butterflies will only lay their eggs on particular plants, and it is the only food source for caterpillars. We call these hostplants. Just don’t be surprised when the plants are eaten by the caterpillars. Milkweeds are the hostplants for monarch butterflies.
2. Nectar (flowering) plants: Nectar plants provide food for the adult butterflies.
3. Don’t use insecticides: Insecticides will harm the adult butterflies and their caterpillars. They are harming YOU!
4. Don’t use herbicides: Herbicides will kill the necessary host and nectar plants.
5. Shelter: Medium to large-sized trees provide shelter for the butterflies in inclement weather and protected places for the caterpillars to form their chrysalises.

For desert-adapted butterfly plants, check out the butterfly plant guide. Find Desert Botanical Garden grown milkweeds and other plants at the bi-annual Plant Sale and Garden Shop.

Caring for Arizona native milkweeds

Did you buy a native milkweed from Desert Botanical Garden, and want to know how to care for it? Here are some general planting instructions:

1. Seedlings (in a black cone) can be planted in the ground or in a larger pot. Milkweeds in a 1-gallon pot can be planted in the ground.
2. Dig the hole only as deep as the roots but twice as wide. Set the soil aside.
3. Carefully remove the plant from the pot, trying not to disturb the roots too much.
4. Place the plant in the hole and carefully replace the soil you set aside around the roots. Maintain the soil line (make sure the soil is up to the same point on the plant that it was when the plant was in the pot).
5. Gently tamp down the soil around the roots. Add more soil if needed to maintain the soil line.
6. Lightly water the plant until the soil is saturated. Use drip irrigation or turn the hose on so the water just trickles.
7. Water deeply every day for about 1 week so the roots can get established. Then water every 4-5 days after that. For Asclepias angustifolia, water every 2-3 days. In the summer you can water at the same frequency but for a longer period of time during each watering.

Information on native milkweeds:

White stem milkweed (Asclepias albicans)

• Grows to be 8-10 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide.
• Makes a great screen plant once full size.
• Can handle harsh summer heat.
• Requires very little supplemental water once established.

Arizona milkweed (Asclepias angustifolia)

• Grows to be 2-3 feet tall by 2-3 feet wide.
• Prefers some protection from the harsh summer sun.
• This species does best on the east or north side of the house or in light shade/filtered sun.
• This species does better with additional water.

Antelope horns milkweed (Asclepias asperula)

• Grows to be 1-2 feet tall.
• Can handle full sun.
• Plant on south, east or west side.
• This species does better with additional water.

Giant Sand milkweed (Asclepias erosa)

• Grows to be 4-6 feet tall.
• Can handle full sun.
• Plant on south, east or west side.
• This species requires little water.

Desert milkweed (Asclepias subulata)

• Grows to be 3-4 feet tall.
• Can handle harsh summer heat.
• Likes to be planted in full sun.
• Requires very little supplemental water once established.
• Great host plant for queen butterflies.

Pineneedle milkweed (Asclepias linaria)

• Grows to be 3-4 feet tall.
• Plant in full sun or partial shade.
• This species does better with additional water.

Visit our Garden Shop for more information on purchasing a milkweed plant.

Photo Credits:
Adam Rodriguez – Monarch butterfly
Barry Breckling – Asclepias albicans
Brent Miller – Asclepias erosa
Max Licher – Asclepias-asperula

Great Milkweed Grow Out activities are supported by the Bureau of Land Management.

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DESERT BOTANICAL GARDEN

1201 N. Galvin Parkway
Phoenix, AZ 85008
480 941.1225
contact@dbg.org

Open Daily 8 A.M. – 8 P.M.
7 A.M. for members Wed. & Sun.

Botanical Garden

Copyright Disclaimer – Section 107 – Copyright Act 1976,
allowance is made for “fair use” for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship,and research. Fair use is permitted by copyright statute. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of “fair use”.