Little House Life Lessons: What I Learned From Laura

Little House Life Lessons:
What I learned from Laura Ingalls Wilder.
Having all the best things won’t make us happy
but love, kindness, helping each other
and “just plain being good” is the key.

Laura Ingalls Wilder was born in this month in 1867. Her birthday was February 7 and then she died on February 10, 1957. (The year I was born!)

She was 65 years old when her daughter convinced her to write her childhood memories.

And ever since, generations of children (and adults) continue to be entertained by her pioneer stories.

I don’t remember how old I was when I first read the Little House books.

Laura authenticated my small world, because I, too, lived on the prairies. I saw the pictures she saw as they travelled to their new home on the prairie and then experienced with her the bone-chilling winds and the beauty of the long icicles on the eaves.

Reading the simple words that became classic left me feeling worthwhile. If her ordinary life was worth writing about and then could impact so many, that meant my small world had value, also.

And isn’t that what any author hopes to accomplish with their words? The feeling of validity and the hope of happiness.

As Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote,

“
As you read my stories of long ago
I hope you will remember
that things truly worthwhile
and that will give you happiness
are the same now as they were then.
It is not the things you have that make you happy.
It is love and kindness and helping each other
and just plain being good.
”

And there we have it: Little House Life Lessons.

It’s like a complete mastermind course on Happiness in one short paragraph.

Here’s a few more of her wise words:

Home is the nicest word there is.
I am beginning to learn that it is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all.
Remember me with smiles and laughter, for that is how I will remember you all. If you can only remember me with tears, then don’t remember me at all.
The trouble with organizing a thing is that pretty soon folks get to paying more attention to the organization than to what they’re organized for.
Every job is good if you do your best and work hard. A man who works hard stinks only to the ones that have nothing to do but smell.
Suffering passes, while love is eternal. That’s a gift that you have received from God. Don’t waste it.

Don’t waste the gift of Love.
Pass it on with good deeds and kindness.
Share it with a card in the mail.

Suffering passes, while love is eternal — Source

Now, I have to share this…

I know a Laura Ingalls Wilder descendent.

And she’s wise and thoughtful and kind, also.

I haven’t met her in person, but I just know she is.

You can meet her here. I love the way she capitalizes on her link to the past in her blog.

Victorian Tips For Staying Warm In The Winter — Source

This is my tribute today
to ordinary people
living ordinary lives
in an extraordinary way.

Because that, after all,
is the way to find happiness.

Here are Laura Ingalls Wilder items. I have purchased various sets of books from book sales and thrift stores. They’re fun to give away. My oldest granddaughter just started reading the Little House books. Click on the picture to see more, or to purchase.