To
Touch One's Life
Jean
Thompson stood in front of her fifth-grade class on the very first
day of school in the fall and told the children a lie. Like most
teachers, she looked at her pupils and said that she loved them
all the same, that she would treat them all alike. And that was
impossible because there in front of her, slumped in his seat
on the third row, was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard.
Mrs.
Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed he didn't
play well with the other children, that his clothes were unkempt
and that he constantly needed a bath. And Teddy was unpleasant.
It
got to the point during the first few months that she would actually
take delight in marking his papers with a broad red pen, making
bold X's and then marking the F at the top of the paper biggest
of all. Because Teddy was a sullen little boy, no one else seemed
to enjoy him, either.
At
the school where Mrs. Thompson taught, she was required to review
each child's records and put Teddy's off until last. When she
opened his file, she was in for a surprise.
His
first-grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is a bright, inquisitive
child with a ready laugh. He does his work neatly and has good
manners...he is a joy to be around."
His
second-grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is an excellent student
well-liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother
has a terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle."
His
third-grade teacher wrote, "Teddy continues to work hard
but his mother's death has been hard on him. He tries to do his
best but his father doesn't show much interest and his home life
will soon affect him if some steps aren't taken."
Teddy's
fourth-grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't
show much interest in school. He doesn't have many friends and
sometimes sleeps in class. He is tardy and could become a problem."
By
now Mrs. Thompson realized the problem but Christmas was coming
fast. It was all she could do, with the school play and all, until
the day before the holidays began and she was suddenly forced
to focus on Teddy Stoddard.
Her
children brought her presents, all in beautiful ribbon and bright
paper, except for Teddy's, which was clumsily wrapped in the heavy,brown
paper of a scissored grocery bag.
Mrs.
Thompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents.
Some of the children started to laugh when she found a rhinestone
bracelet with some of the stones missing, and a bottle that was
one-quarter full of cologne. She stifled the children's laughter
when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on,
and dabbing some of the perfume behind the other wrist.
Teddy
Stoddard stayed behind just long enough to say, "Mrs. Thompson,
today you smelled just like my mom used to." After the children
left she cried for at least an hour.
On
that very day, she quit teaching reading, and writing, and speaking.
Instead, she began to teach children. Jean Thompson paid particular
attention to one they all called "Teddy." As she worked
with him, his mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged
him, the faster he responded.
On
days there would be an important test, Mrs. Thompson would remember
that cologne. By the end of the year he had become one of the
smartest children in the class and...well, he had also become
the "pet" of the teacher who had once vowed to love
all of her children exactly the same.
A
year later she found a note under her door, from Teddy, telling
her that of all the teachers he'd had in elementary school, she
was his favorite.
Six
years went by before she got another note from Teddy. He then
wrote that he had finished high school, third in his class, and
she was still his favorite teacher of all time. Four years after
that, she got another letter, saying that while things had been
tough at times, he'd stayed in school, had stuck with it, and
would graduate from college with the highest of honors. He assured
Mrs. Thompson she was still his favorite teacher.
Then
four more years passed and yet another letter came. This time
he explained that after he got his bachelor's degree, he decided
to go a little further. The letter explained that she was still
his favorite teacher but that now his name was a little longer.
The letter was signed, Theodore F. Stoddard, M.D.
The
story doesn't end there. You see, there was yet another letter
that Spring. Teddy said he'd met this girl and was to be married.
He explained that his father had died a couple of years ago and
he was wondering...well, if Mrs. Thompson might agree to sit in
the pew usually reserved for the mother of the groom.
And
guess what, she wore that bracelet, the one with several rhinestones
missing. And I bet on that special day, Jean Thompson smelled
just like... well, just like the way Teddy remembered his mother
smelling on their last Christmas together.
Author
Unknown
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Bigger
And Better
We
have taller buildings, but shorter tempers;
wider
freeways, but narrower viewpoints;
we
spend more, but have less;
we
buy more, but enjoy it less.
We
have bigger houses and smaller families;
more
conveniences, but less time;
we
have more degrees, but less sense;
more
knowledge, but less judgment;
more
experts, but more problems;
more
medicine, but less wellness.
We
drink too much,
smoke
too much,
spend
too recklessly,
laugh
too little,
drive
too fast,
get
too angry too quickly,
stay
up too late,
get
up too tired,
read
too seldom,
watch
TV too much,
and
pray too seldom.
We
have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.
We
talk too much, love too seldom and lie too often.
We've
learned how to make a living, but not a life;
we've
added years to life, not life to years.
We've
been all the way to the moon and back,
but
have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbor.
We've
conquered outer space, but not inner space;
we've
done larger things, but not better things;
we've
cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul;
we've
split the atom, but not our prejudice;
we
write more, but learn less;
plan
more, but accomplish less.
We've
learned to rush, but not to wait;
we
have higher incomes;
but
lower morals;
more
food but less appeasement.
We
build more computers to hold more information,
to
produce more copies than ever, but have less communication;
we've
become long on quantity, but short on quality.
These
are the times of fast foods and slow digestion;
tall
men, and short character;
steep
profits, and shallow relationships.
These
are the times of world peace, but domestic warfare;
more
leisure and less fun;
more
kinds of food, but less nutrition.
These
are days of two incomes, but more divorce;
of
fancier houses, but broken homes.
These
are days of quick trips,
disposable
diapers,
throwaway
morality,
one-night
stands,
overweight
bodies,
and
pills that do everything from cheer,
to
quiet,
to
kill.
It
is a time when there is much in the show window
and
nothing in the stockroom.
Indeed
it's all true.
Author
Unknown
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Reflections
Of A Mother...
I
gave you life, but cannot live it for you
I
can teach you things, but I cannot make you learn.
I
can give you directions, but I cannot be there to lead you.
I
can allow you freedom, but I cannot account for it.
I
can take you to church, but I cannot make you believe.
I
can teach you right from wrong, but I cannot always decide for
you.
I
can buy you beautiful clothes, but I cannot make you beautiful
inside.
I
can offer you advice, but I cannot accept it for you.
I
can give you love, but I cannot force it upon you.
I
can teach you to share, but I cannot make you unselfish.
I
can teach you respect, but I cannot force you to show honor.
I
can advise you about friends, but cannot choose them for you.
I
can advise you about sex, but I cannot keep you pure.
I
can tell you the facts of life, but I can't build your reputation.
I
can tell you about drink, but I can't say "no" for you.
I
can warn you about drugs but I can't prevent you from using them.
I
can tell you about lofty goals, but I can't achieve them for you.
I
can teach you about kindness, but I can't force you to be gracious.
I
can warn you about sins, but I cannot make you moral
I
can pray for you, but I cannot make you walk with God.
I
can tell you how to live, but I cannot give you eternal life.
I
can love you with unconditional love all of my life..... and I
will.
Author
Unknown
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The
Cocoon
A
man found a cocoon of a butterfly.
One
day a small opening appeared, he sat and watched the butterfly
for several hours as it struggled to force its body through that
little hole. Then it seemed to stop making any progress. It appeared
as if it had gotten as far as it could and it could go no farther.
Then
the man decided to help the butterfly, so he took a pair of scissors
and snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon.
The
butterfly then emerged easily.
But
it had a swollen body and small, shriveled wings. The man continued
to watch the butterfly because he expected that, at any moment,
the wings would enlarge and expand to be able to support the body,
which would contract in time. Neither happened! In fact, the butterfly
spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body
and shriveled wings.
It
never was able to fly.
What
the man in his kindness and haste did not understand was that
the restricting cocoon and the struggle required for the butterfly
to get through the tiny opening were God's way of forcing fluid
from the body of the butterfly into its wings so that it would
be ready for flight once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon.
Sometimes
struggles are exactly what we need in our life. If God allowed
us to go through our life without any obstacles, it would cripple
us.
We
would not be as strong as what we could have been.
And
we could never fly.
Author
Unknown
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Be
Happy
A
very meaningful thought of the day to share with everyone.....
"Enjoy
this day, this very day and be happy!"
A
high school student thinks, "When I'm out of this school
and don't have to do what I am told, then everything will be great!"
He
leaves school and suddenly recognises that he won't be happy until
he leaves home.
He
leaves home and starts university and soon decides,"When
I have got my degree, then I'll be really happy!"
Eventually
he gets his degree at which time he realises that he can't be
happy until he has a job.
He
gets his job and has to start at the bottom of the heap. You guessed
it? He can't be happy yet.
As
the years roll by, he postpones his happiness and peace of mind
until he gets engaged, gets married, starts buying a home, gets
a better job, starts a family, gets the kids in school, owns his
home, gets the kids out of school, retires ..............and he
drops dead before he allows himself to be blissfully happy.
All
his present moments were spent planning for a wonderful future
which never arrived.
Author
Unknown
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No
Charge
My
little boy came into the kitchen this evening while I was fixing
supper. And he handed me a piece of paper he'd been writing on.
So, after wiping my hands on my apron, I read it and this is what
it said:
For
mowing the grass $5.
For making my own bed this week $1.
For going to the store $0.50.
For playing with baby brother while you went shopping $0.25.
For taking out the trash $1.
For getting a good report card $5.
And for raking the yard $2.
Well,
I looked at him standing there expectantly, and a thousand memories
flashed through my mind. So, I picked up the paper, and turning
it over, this is what I wrote:
For
the nine months I carried you, growing inside me. No Charge.
For the nights I sat up with you, doctored you, prayed for you.
No charge.
For the time and the tears, and the cost through the years. No
Charge.
For the nights filled with dread, and the worries ahead. No Charge.
For advice and the knowledge, and the cost of your college. No
Charge.
For the toys, food and clothes, and for wiping your nose. No Charge.
Son, when you add it all up, the full cost of my love is. No Charge.
Well,
when he finished reading, he had great big tears in his eyes.
And he looked up at me and he said, "Mama, I sure do love
you."
Then
he took the pen and in great big letters he wrote, PAID IN FULL.
Author
Unknown
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How
Poor We Are
One
day a father and his rich family took his son to a trip to the
country with the firm purpose to show him how poor people can
be.
They
spent a day and a night in the farm of a very poor family. When
they got back from their trip the father asked his son, "How
was the trip?"
"Very
good Dad!" "Did you see how poor people can be?"
the father asked.
"Yeah!"
"And
what did you learn?"
The
son answered, "I saw that we have a dog at home, and they
have four. We have a pool that reaches to the middle of the garden,
they have a creek that has no end. We have imported lamps in the
garden, they have the stars. Our patio reaches to the front yard,
they have a whole horizon." When the little boy was finishing,
his father was speechless.
His
son added, "Thanks Dad for showing me how poor we are!"
Author
Unknown
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A
Box Full Of Kisses
Some
time ago, a friend of mine punished his 3 year old daughter for
wasting a roll of gold wrapping paper.
Money
was tight and he became infuriated when the child tried to decorate
a box to put under the tree. Nevertheless, the little girl brought
the gift to her father the next morning and said, "This is
for you, Daddy."
He
was embarrassed by his earlier overreaction, but his anger flared
again when he found that the box was empty. He yelled at her,
"Don't you know that when you give someone a present, there's
supposed to be something inside of it?"
The
little girl looked up at him with tears in her eyes and said,
"Oh, Daddy, it's not empty. I blew kisses into the box. All
for you, Daddy." The father was crushed. He put his arms
around his little girl, and he begged her forgiveness.
My
friend told me that he kept that gold box by his bed for years.
Whenever he was discouraged, he would take out an imaginary kiss
and remember the love of the child who had put it there. In a
very real sense, each of us as parents has been given a gold container
filled with unconditional love and kisses from our children. There
is no more precious possession anyone could hold.
James
Dobson " Home With A Heart "
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$20.00
Worth Of Time
A
man came home from work late again, tired and irritated, to find
his 5-year-old son waiting for him at the door. "Daddy, may
I ask you a question?" "Yeah, sure, what is it?"
replied the man. "Daddy, how much money do you make an hour?"
"That's
none of your business! What makes you ask such a thing?"
the man said angrily.
"I
just want to know. Please tell me, how much do you make an hour?"
pleaded the little boy.
"If
you must know, I make $20.00 an hour." "Oh," the
little boy replied, head bowed. Looking up, he said, "Daddy,
may I borrow $10.00 please?"
The
father was furious. "If the only reason you wanted to know
how much money I make is just so you can borrow some to buy a
silly toy or some other nonsense, then you march yourself straight
to your room and go to bed. Think about why you're being so selfish.
I work long, hard hours every day and don't have time for such
childish games."
The
little boy quietly went to his room and shut the door. The man
sat down and started to get even madder about the little boy's
questioning. How dare he ask such questions only to get some money.
After an hour or so, the man had calmed down, and started to think
he may have been a little hard on his son. Maybe there was something
he really needed to buy with that $10.00 and he really didn't
ask for money very often.
The
man went to the door of the little boy's room and opened the door.
"Are you asleep son?" he asked. "No daddy, I'm
awake," replied the boy.
"I've
been thinking, maybe I was too hard on you earlier," said
the man. "It's been a long day and I took my aggravation
out on you. Here's that $10.00 you asked for."
The
little boy sat straight up, beaming. "Oh, thank you daddy!"
he yelled. Then, reaching under his pillow, he pulled out some
more crumpled up bills. The man, seeing that the boy already had
money, started to get angry again. The little boy slowly counted
out his money, then looked up at the man.
"Why did you want more money if you already had some?"
the father grumbled.
"Because
I didn't have enough, but now I do," the little boy replied.
"Daddy, I have $20.00 now. Can I buy an hour of your time?"
Author
Unknown
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Memo
From Your Child
1.
Don't spoil me. I know quite well that I ought not to have all
I ask for ... I'm only testing you.
2.
Don't be afraid to be firm with me. I prefer it .. it makes me
feel more secure.
3.
Don't correct me in front of people if you can help it. I'll take
much more notice if you talk to me in private.
4.
Don't make me feel that my mistakes are sins. It upsets my sense
of values.
5.
Don't be too upset if I say "I hate you." It isn't that
I hate you, but only that I need your attention.
6.
Don't protect me from consequences. I need to learn the hard way.
7.
Don't take too much notice of my small ailments. Sometimes they
get me the attention I want.
8.
Don't nag. If you do, I shall have to protect myself by appearing
deaf.
9.
Don't make rash promises. Remember that I feel badly let down
when promises are broken.
10.
Don't forget that I cannot explain myself as well as I should
like. This is why I'm not always accurate.
11.
Don't tax my honesty too much. I am easily frightened into telling
lies.
12.
Don't be inconsistent. That completely confuses me and makes me
lose my faith in you.
13.
Don't put me off when I ask you questions. If you do, you will
find that I stop asking and seek my information elsewhere.
14.
Don't tell me my fears are silly. They are terribly real and you
can do much to try to understand.
15.
Don't ever suggest that you are perfect or infallible. It gives
me too great a shock when I discover that you are neither.
16.
Don't ever think it beneath your dignity to apologize to me. An
honest apology makes me feel surprisingly warm to you.
17.
Don't forget how quickly I am growing up. It must be very difficult
for you to keep pace with me but please try.
18.
Don't forget I love experimenting. I couldn't get along without
it, so please put up with it.
19.
Don't forget that I can't thrive without lots of love. But I don't
need to tell you all the time, do I?
Author Unknown
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On
Letting Go
To
"let go" does not mean to stop caring, it means I can't
do it for someone else.
To
"let go" is not to cut myself off, it's the realization
I can't control another.
To
"let go" is not to enable, but to allow learning from
natural consequences.
To
"let go" is to admit powerlessness, which means the
outcome is not in may hands.
To
"let go" is not to try to change or blame another, it's
to make the most of myself.
To
"let go" is not to care for, but to care about.
To
"let go" is not to fix, but to be supportive.
To
"let go" is not to judge, but to allow another to be
a human being.
To
"let go" is not to be in the middle arranging all the
outcomes, but to allow others to
effect
their destinies.
To
"let go" is not to be protective, it's to permit another
to face reality.
To
"let go" is not to deny, but to accept.
To
"let go" is not to nag, scold, or argue, but instead
to search out my own
hortcomings
and correct them.
To
"let go" is not to adjust everything to my desires,
but to take each day as it comes,
and
cherish myself in it.
To
"let go" is not to criticize and regulate anybody, but
to try to become what I dream
I
can be.
To
"let go" is not to regret the past, but to grow and
live for the future.
To
"let go" is to fear less, and love more.
Author
Unknown
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Children
Are Like Kites
You
spend years trying to get them off the ground.
You
run with them until you are both breathless. They crash and they
hit the roof - you patch, comfort and assure them that someday
they will fly.
Finally,
they are airborne.
They
need more string, and you keep letting it out.
They
tug, and with each twist of the twine, there is sadness that goes
with joy.
The
kite becomes more distant, and you know it won't be long before
that beautiful creature will snap the lifeline that binds you
together and will soar as meant to soar - free and alone.
Only
then do you know that you have done your job.
Author
Unknown
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His
Father's Eyes
A teenager lived alone with his father, and the two of them had
a very special relationship. Even though the son was always on
the bench, his father was always in the stands cheering. He never
missed a game. This young man was still the smallest of the class
when he entered high school. But his father continued to encourage
him but also made it very clear that he did not have to play football
if he didn't want to. But the young man loved football and decided
to hang in there. He was determined to try his best at every practice,
and perhaps he'd get to play when he became a senior. All through
high school he never missed a practice nor a game, but remained
a bench warmer all four years. His faithful father was always
in the stands, always with words of encouragement for him.
When the young man went to college, he decided to try out for
the football team as a "walk-on." Everyone was sure
he could never make the cut, but he did. The coach admitted that
he kept him on the roster because he always puts his heart and
soul to every practice and at the same time, provided the other
members with the spirit and hustle they badly needed. The news
that he had survived the cut thrilled him so much that he rushed
to the nearest phone and called his father. His father shared
his excitement and was sent season tickets for all the college
games.
This persistent young athlete never missed practice during his
four years at college, but he never got to play in the game. It
was the end of his senior football season, and as he trotted onto
the practice field shortly before the big play off game, the coach
met him with a telegram. The young man read the telegram and he
became deathly silent...
Swallowing hard, he mumbled to the coach, "My father died
this morning. Is it all right if I miss practice today?"
The coach put his arm gently around his shoulder and said, "Take
the rest of the week off, son. And don't even plan to come back
to the game on Saturday.
Saturday arrived, and the game was not going well. In the third
quarter, when the team was ten points behind, a silent young man
quietly slipped into the empty locker room and put on his football
gear. As he ran onto the sidelines, the coach and his players
were astounded to see their faithful teammate back so soon. "Coach,
please let me play. I've just got to play today," said the
young man.
The coach pretended not to hear him. There was no way he wanted
his worst player in this close playoff game. But the young man
persisted, and finally feeling sorry for the kid, the coach gave
in. "All right," he said. "You can go in."
Before long, the coach, the players and everyone in the stands
could not believe their eyes. This little unknown, who had never
played before was doing everything right. The opposing team could
not stop him. He ran, he passed, blocked and tackled like a star.
His team began to triumph. The score was soon tied. In the closing
seconds of the game, this kid intercepted a pass and ran all the
way for the winning touchdown. The fans broke loose. His teammates
hoisted him onto their shoulders. Such cheering you've never heard!
Finally, after the stands had emptied and the team had showered
and left the locker room, the coach noticed that the young man
was sitting quietly in the corner all alone. The coach came to
him and said, "Kid, I can't believe it. You were fantastic!
Tell me what got into you? How did you do it?"
He looked at the coach, with tears in his eyes, and said, "Well,
you knew my dad died, but did you know that my dad was blind?"
The young man swallowed hard and forced a smile, "Dad came
to all my games, but today was the first time he could see me
play, and I wanted to show him I could do it!"
Author
Unknown
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If
I Had My Child to Raise Over Again
If I had my child to raise all over again,
I'd finger-paint more, and point the fingers less.
I would do less correcting and more connecting.
I'd take my eyes off my watch, and watch with my eyes.
I would care to know less and know to care more.
I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.
I'd stop playing serious, and seriously play.
I would run through more fields and gaze at more stars.
I'd do more hugging and less tugging.
I'd build self-esteem first, and the house later.
I would be firm less often, and affirm much more.
I'd teach less about the love of power,
And more about the power of love.
Diane
Loomans
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An
Interview with God
I
dreamed I had an interview with God.
"Come
in," God said. "So, you would like to interview Me?"
"If
you have the time," I said.
God
smiled and said "My time is eternity. It is enough to do
everything. What questions do you have in mind to ask me?"
I
asked, "What surprises you most about mankind?"
God
thought for a few moments and then answered "That they get
bored of being children, are in a rush to grow up, and then long
to be children again.
That
they lose their health to make money and then lose their money
to restore their health.
That
by thinking anxiously about the future, they forget the present,
such that they live neither for the present nor the future.
That
they live as if they will never die, and they die as if they had
never lived"
God
placed my hands in His and we were silent for while. Then I asked,
"As
a parent, what are some of life's lessons you want your children
to learn?"
God
replied with a smile "To learn that they cannot make anyone
love them. What they can do is to let themselves be loved.
To
learn that what is most valuable is not what they have in their
lives, but whom they have in their lives.
To
learn that it is not good to compare themselves to others. All
will be judged individually on their own merits, not as a group
on a comparison basis.
To
learn that a rich person is not the one who has the most, but
is one who needs the least.
To
learn that it only takes a few seconds to open profound wounds
in persons we love, and that it takes many years to heal them.
To
learn to forgive by practicing forgiveness. To learn that there
are persons that love them dearly, but simply do not know how
to express or show their feelings.
To
learn that money can buy everything but happiness.
To
learn that two people can look at the same thing and see it totally
differently.
To
learn that a true friend is someone who knows everything about
them... and likes them anyway.
To
learn that it is not always enough that they be forgiven by others,
but that they have to forgive themselves."
I
sat there for awhile enjoying my visit with God.
I
thanked Him for His time and for all that He has done for my family
and me.
He
replied, "Anytime. I'm here 24 hours a day. All you have
to do is ask for me, and I'll answer."
Author
Unknown
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The
Fisherman
One
day a fisherman was lying on a beautiful beach, with his fishing
pole propped up in the sand and his solitary line cast out into
the sparkling blue surf. He was enjoying the warmth of the afternoon
sun and the hope of catching a fish.
About
that time, a businessman came walking down the beach trying to
relieve some of the stress of his workday. He noticed the fisherman
sitting on the beach and decided to find out why this fisherman
was fishing instead of working hard to make a living for himself
and his family.
"You're
not going to catch many fish that way," said the businessman,
"You should be working harder rather than lying on the beach!"
The
fisherman looked up, smiled and replied, "And what will my
reward be?"
"Well,
you can get bigger nets and catch more fish!" was the businessman's
answer.
"And
then what will my reward be?" asked the fisherman, still
smiling.
The
businessman replied, "You will make money and you'll be able
to buy a boat, which will then result in larger catches of fish!"
"And
then what will my reward be?" asked the fisherman again.
The
businessman was beginning to get a little irritated with the fisherman's
questions. "You can buy a bigger boat, and hire some people
to work for you!" he said.
"And
then what will my reward be?"
The
businessman was getting angry. "Don't you understand? You
can build up a fleet of fishing boats, sail all over the world,
and let your employees catch fish for you!"
Once
again the fisherman asked, "And then what will my reward
be?"
The
businessman was red with rage and shouted at the fisherman, "Don't
you understand that you can become so rich that you will never
have to work for your living again! You can spend all the rest
of your days sitting on this beach, looking at the sunset. You
won't have a care in the world!"
The
fisherman, still smiling, looked up and said, "And what do
you think I'm doing right now?"
Author
Unknown
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I
Loved You Enough.....
Some
day when my children are old enough to understand the logic that
motivates a parent, I will tell them:
I
loved you enough to ask where you were going, with whom, and what
time you would be home.
I
loved you enough to insist that you save your money and buy a
bike for yourself even though we could afford to buy one for you.
I
loved you enough to be silent and let you discover that your new
best friend was a creep.
I
loved you enough to make you take a Milky Way back to the drugstore
(with a bite out of it) and tell the clerk, "I stole this
yesterday and want to pay for it."
I
loved you enough to stand over you for two hours while you cleaned
your room, a job that would have taken 15 minutes.
I
loved you enough to let you see anger, disappointment and tears
in my eyes. Children must learn that their parents aren't perfect.
I
loved you enough to let you assume the responsibility for your
actions even when the penalties were so harsh they almost broke
my heart.
But
most of all, I loved you enough to say NO when I knew you would
hate me for it. Those were the most difficult battles of all.
I'm glad I won them, because in the end you won, too.
Erma
Bombeck
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Just
for Today
Decide
to be happy today, to live with what is yours - your family, your
business, your job, your luck. If you can't have what you like,
maybe you can like what you have.
Just
for today, be kind, cheerful, agreeable, responsive, caring, and
understanding. Be your best, dress your best, talk softly, and
look for the bright side of things. Praise people for what they
do and do not criticize them for what they cannot do. If someone
does something stupid, forgive and forget. After all, it's just
for one day.
Who
knows, it might turn out to be a nice day.
Author
Unknown
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The
Secret of Success
"Sir,
What is the secret of your success?" a reporter asked a bank
president.
"Two
words"
"And,
Sir,what are they?"
"Right
decisions."
"And
how do you make right decisions?"
"One
word."
"And,sir,What
is that?"
"Experience."
"And
how do you get Experience ?"
"Two
words"
"And,
Sir,what are they?"
"Wrong
decisions"
Author
Unknown
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Just Listen
I
suspect that the most basic and powerful way to connect to another
person is to listen. Just listen. Perhaps the most important thing
we ever give each other is our attention. And especially if it's
given from the heart. When people are talking, there's no need
to do anything but receive them. Just take them in. Listen to
what they're saying. Care about it. Most times caring about it
is even more important than understanding it. Most of us don't
value ourselves or our love enough to know this. It has taken
me along time to believe in the power of simple saying, "I'm
so sorry," when someone is in pain. And meaning it.
One
of my patients told me that when she tried to tell her story people
often interrupted to tell her that they once had something just
like that happen to them. Subtly her pain became a story about
themselves. Eventually she stopped talking to most people. It
was just too lonely. We connect through listening. When we interrupt
what someone is saying to let them know that we understand, we
move the focus of attention to ourselves. When we listen, they
know we care. Many people with cancer can talk about the relief
of having someone just listen.
I
have even learned to respond to someone crying by just listening.
In the old days I used to reach for the tissues, until I realized
that passing a person a tissue may be just another way to shut
them down, to take them out of their experience of sadness and
grief. Now I just listen. When they have cried all they need to
cry, they find me there with them.
This
simple thing has not been that easy to learn. It certainly went
against everything I had been taught since I was very young. I
thought people listened only because they were too timid to speak
or did not know the answer. A loving silence often has far more
power to heal and to connect than the most well intentioned words.
Rachel
Naomi Remen
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Time
Management Parable
One
day, an expert in time management was speaking to a group of business
students and, to drive home a point, used an illustration those
students will never forget.
As
he stood in front of the group of high-powered overachievers he
said,
"Okay,
time for a quiz" and he pulled out a one-gallon, wide-mouth
mason jar and set it on the table in front of him. He also produced
about a dozen fist-sized rocks and carefully placed them, one
at a time, into the jar.
When
the jar was filled to the top and no more rocks would fit inside,
he asked, "Is this jar full?" Everyone in the class
yelled, "Yes."
The
time management expert replied, "Really?" He reached
under the table and pulled out a bucket of gravel. He dumped some
gravel in and shook the jar causing pieces of gravel to work themselves
down into the spaces between the big rocks. He then asked the
group once more, "Is the jar full?"
By
this time the class was on to him. "Probably not," one
of them answered.
"Good!"
he replied. He reached under the table and brought out a bucket
of sand. He started dumping the sand in the jar and it went into
all of the spaces left between the rocks and the gravel. Once
more he asked the question, "Is this jar full?" "No!"
the class shouted.
Once
again he said, "Good." Then he grabbed a pitcher of
water and began to pour it in until the jar was filled to the
brim. Then he looked at the class and asked, "What is the
point of this illustration?"
One
eager beaver raised his hand and said, "The point is, no
matter how full your schedule is, if you try really hard you can
always fit some more things in it!"
"No,"
the speaker replied, "that's not the point. The truth this
illustration teaches us is: If you don't put the big rocks in
first, you'll never get them in at all."
What
are the 'big rocks' in your life, time with your loved ones, your
faith, your education, your dreams, a worthy cause, teaching or
mentoring others? Remember to put these big rocks in first or
you'll never get them in at all. So, tonight, or in the morning,
when you are reflecting on this short story, ask yourself this
question: What are the 'big rocks' in my life? Then, put those
in your jar first.
Author
Unknown
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Two
Days We Should Not Worry
There
are two days in every week about which we should not worry,
two days which should be kept free from fear and apprehension.
One
of these days is Yesterday with all its mistakes and cares,
its faults and blunders, its aches and pains.
Yesterday
has passed forever beyond our control.
All the money in the world cannot bring back Yesterday.
We
cannot undo a single act we performed;
we cannot erase a single word we said.
Yesterday is gone forever.
The
other day we should not worry about is Tomorrow
with all its possible adversities, its burdens,
its large promise and its poor performance;
Tomorrow is also beyond our immediate control.
Tomorrow's
sun will rise,
either in splendor or behind a mask of clouds, but it will rise.
Until it does, we have no stake in Tomorrow,
for it is yet to be born.
This
leaves only one day, Today.
Any person can fight the battle of just one day.
It is when you and I add the burdens of those two awful eternities
Yesterday and Tomorrow that we break down.
It
is not the experience of Today that drives a person mad,
it is the remorse or bitterness of something which happened Yesterday
and the dread of what Tomorrow may bring.
Let
us, therefore, Live but one day at a time.
Author
Unknown
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Letting
Go
There
was once a lonely girl who longed desperately for love. One day
while she was walking in the woods she found two starving song
birds. She took them home and put them in a small glided cage.
She nurtured them with love and the birds grew strong. Every morning
they greeted her with a marvellous song. The girl felt great love
for the birds. She wanted their singing to last forever.
One
day the girl left the door to the cage open. The larger and stronger
of the two birds flew from the cage. The girl watched anxiously
as he circled high above her. She was so frightened that he would
fly away and she would never see him again that as he flew close,
she grasped at him wildly. She caught him in her fist. She clutched
him tightly within her hand. Her heart gladened at her sucess
in capturing him. Suddenly she felt the bird go limp. She opened
her hand stared in horror at the dead bird. Her desperate clutching
love had killed him.
She
noticed the other bird teteering on the edge of the cage. She
could feel his great need for freedom. His need to soar into the
clear, blue sky. She lifted him from the cage and tossed him softly
into the air. The bird circled once, twice, three times.
The
girl watched delighted at the bird's enjoyment. Her heart was
no longer concerned with her loss. She wanted the bird to be happy.
Suddenly the bird flew closer and landed softly on her shoulder.
It sang the sweetest melody, she had ever heard.
The
fastest way to lose love is to hold on too tight, the best way
to keep love is to give it -- WINGS!
Dee
Edgett
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Learning
to Get Back Up
Bringing
a giraffe into the world is a tall order. A baby giraffe falls
10 feet from its mother's womb and usually lands on its back.
Within seconds it rolls over and tucks its legs under its body.
From this position it considers the world for the first time and
shakes off the last vestiges of the birthing fluid from its eyes
and ears. Then the mother giraffe rudely introduces its offspring
to the reality of life.
In
his book, A View from the Zoo, Gary Richmond describes how a newborn
giraffe learns its first lesson.
The
mother giraffe lowers her head long enough to take a quick look.
Then she positions herself directly over her calf. She waits for
about a minute, and then she does the most unreasonable thing.
She swings her long, pendulous leg outward and kicks her baby,
so that it is sent sprawling head over heels.
When
it doesn't get up, the violent process is repeated over and over
again. The struggle to rise is momentous. As the baby calf grows
tired, the mother kicks it again to stimulate its efforts. Finally,
the calf stands for the first time on its wobbly legs.
Then
the mother giraffe does the most remarkable thing. She kicks it
off its feet again. Why? She wants it to remember how it got up.
In the wild, baby giraffes must be able to get up as quickly as
possible to stay with the herd, where there is safety. Lions,
hyenas, leopards, and wild hunting dogs all enjoy young giraffes,
and they'd get it too, if the mother didn't teach her calf to
get up quickly and get with it.
The
late Irving Stone understood this. He spent a lifetime studying
greatness, writing novelized biographies of such men as Michelangelo,
Vincent van Gogh, Sigmund Freud, and Charles Darwin.
Stone
was once asked if he had found a thread that runs through the
lives of all these exceptional people. He said, "I write
about people who sometime in their life have a vision or dream
of something that should be accomplished and they go to work.
"They
are beaten over the head, knocked down, vilified, and for years
they get nowhere. But every time they're knocked down they stand
up. You cannot destroy these people. And at the end of their lives
they've accomplished some modest part of what they set out to
do."
Craig
B. Larson
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Ways
to Love a Child
Give
your presence more than your presents. Laugh, dance and sing together.
Listen
from a heart-space. Encourage. Understand. Allow them to love
themselves.
Say
yes as often as possible. Say no when necessary. Honor their no's.
Apologize.
Touch
gently. Build lots of blanket forts. Open up.
Fly
kites together. Lighten up. Believe in possibilities.
Read
books out loud. Create a circle of quiet.
Teach
feelings. Share your dreams. Walk in the rain.
Celebrate
mistakes. Admit yours.
Frame
their artwork. Stay up late together.
Eliminate
comparison. Delight in silliness.
Handle
with care. Protect them. Cherish their innocence.
Giggle.
Speak kindly.
Go
swimming. Splash.
Let
them help. Let them cry. Don't hide your tears.
Brag
about them. Answer their questions.
Let
them go when it's time. Let them come back. Show compassion.
Bend
down to talk to children. Smile even when you're tired. Surprise
with a special lunch.
Don't
judge their friends. Give them enough room to make decisions.
Love
all they do. Honor their differences.
Respect
them. Remember they have not been on earth very long.
Author
Unknown
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When
God Created Fathers
When
the good Lord was creating Fathers, he started with a tall frame.
A
female angel nearby said, "What kind of a Father is that?
If you're going to make children so close to the ground, why have
you put the Father up so high? He won't be able to shoot marbles
without kneeling, tuck a child in bed without bending, or even
kiss a child without stooping"
God
smiled and said, "Yes, but if I make him child size, who
would children have to look up to?"
And
when God made a Father's hands, they were large. The angel shook
her head and said,"Large hands can't manage diaper pins,
small buttons, rubber bands on pony tails, or even remove splinters
caused from baseball bats."
Again
God smiled and said, "I know, but they're large enough to
hold everything a small boy empties from his pockets, yet small
enough to cup a child's face in them."
Then
God molded long slim legs and broad shoulders, "Do you realize
you just made a Father without a lap?" The angel chuckled.
God
said, "A Mother needs a lap. A Father needs strong shoulders
to pull a sled, to balance a boy on a bicycle, or to hold a sleepy
head on the way home from the circus."
When
God was in the middle of creating the biggest feet any one had
ever seen, the angel could not contain herself any longer. "That's
not fair. Do you honestly think those feet are going to get out
of bed early in the morning when the baby cries, or walk through
a birthday party without crushing one or two of the guests?"
God
again smiled and said, "They will work. You will see. They
will support a small child who wants to ride to Branbury Cross
or scare mice away from a summer cabin, or display shoes that
will be a challenge to fill." God worked throughout the night,
giving the Father few words, but a firm authoritative voice; eyes
that see everything, but remain calm and tolerant.
Finally,
almost as an after thought, He added tears. Then he turned to
the angel and said, "Now are you satisfied he can love as
much as a Mother can?"
The
angel said nothing more.
Erma
Bombeck
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What
You Are Is As Important As What You Do
It
was a sunny Saturday afternoon in Oklahoma City. My friend and
proud father Bobby Lewis was taking his two little boys to play
miniature golf. He walked up to the fellow at the ticket counter
and said, "How much is it to get in?"
The
young man replied, "$3.00 for you and $3.00 for any kid who
is older than six. We let them in free if they are six or younger.
How old are they?"
Bobby
replied, "The lawyer's three and the doctor is seven, so
I guess I owe you $6.00."
The
man at the ticket counter said, "Hey, Mister, did you just
win the lottery or something? You could have saved yourself three
bucks. You could have told me that the older one was six; I wouldn't
have known the difference." Bobby replied, "Yes, that
may be true, but the kids would have known the difference."
As
Ralph Waldo Emerson said, "Who you are speaks so loudly I
can't hear what you're saying." In challenging times when
ethics are more important than ever before, make sure you set
a good example for everyone you work and live with.
Patricia
Fripp
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A
Happy Cat
There
is a story told about a cat who discovered that happiness was
in his tail.
He
kept trying over and over to get it, but all he could do was run
around in circles.
Exhausted
and frustrated, with this endless pursuit, he eventually stopped.
And
then, he discovered that if he'd just go on about his life then
it would follow him wherever he went.
Author
Unknown
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Slow
Down
About ten years ago, a young and very successful executive named
Josh was traveling down a Chicago neighborhood street. He was
going a bit too fast in his sleek, black, 12 cylinder Jaguar XKE,
which was only two months old. He was watching for kids darting
out from between parked cars and slowed down when he thought he
saw something.
As
his car passed, no child darted out, but a brick sailed out and
-- WHUMP! -- it smashed into the Jag's shiny black side door!
SCREECH...!!!! Brakes slammed! Gears ground into reverse, and
tires madly spun the Jaguar back to the spot from where the brick
had been thrown. Josh jumped out of the car, grabbed the kid and
pushed him up against a parked car.
He
shouted at the kid, "What was that all about and who are
you? Just what the heck are you doing?!" Building up a head
of steam, he went on. "That's my new Jag, that brick you
threw is gonna cost you a lot of money. Why did you throw it?"
"Please,
mister, please...I'm sorry! I didn't know what else to do!"
pleaded the youngster. "I threw the brick because no one
else would stop!" Tears were dripping down the boy's chin
as he pointed around the parked car. "It's my brother, mister,"
he said. "He rolled off the curb and fell out of his wheelchair
and I can't lift him up." Sobbing, the boy asked the executive,
"Would you please help me get him back into his wheelchair?
He's hurt and he's too heavy for me."
Moved
beyond words, the young executive tried desperately to swallow
the rapidly swelling lump in his throat. Straining, he lifted
the young man back into the wheelchair and took out his handkerchief
and wiped the scrapes and cuts, checking to see that everything
was going to be OK. He then watched the younger brother push him
down the sidewalk toward their home.
It
was a long walk back to the sleek, black, shining, 12 cylinder
Jaguar XKE -- a long and slow walk. Now, Josh never did fix the
side door of his Jaguar.
He
kept the dent to remind him not to go through life so fast that
someone has to throw a brick at him to get his attention.
Author
Unkown
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The
Fence
There
was a little boy with a bad temper. His father gave him a bag
of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper, to hammer
a nail in the back fence. The first day the boy had driven 37
nails into the fence. Then it gradually dwindled down. He discovered
it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into
the fence. Finally the day came when the boy didn't lose his temper
at all. He told his father about it and the father suggested that
the boy now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to
hold his temper.
The
days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father
that all the nails were gone. The father took his son by the hand
and led him to the fence.
He
said, "You have done well, my son, but look at the holes
in the fence. The fence will never be the same. When you say things
in anger, they leave a scar just like this one. You can put a
knife in a man and draw it out. It won't matter how many times
you say 'I'm sorry', the wound is still there."
Author
Unknown
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A
Child's 10 Commandments To Parents
My hands are small; please don't expect perfection whenever I
make a bed, draw a picture or throw a ball. My legs are short;
please slow down so that I can keep up with you.
My
eyes have not seen the world as yours have; please let me explore
safely; don't restrict me unnecessarily.
Housework
will always be there. I'm only little for such a short time --
please take time to explain things to me about this wonderful
world, and do so willingly.
My
feelings are tender; please be sensitive to my needs; don't nag
me all day long. (You wouldn't want to be nagged for your inquisitiveness).
Treat me as you would like to be treated.
I
am a special gift from God; please treasure me as God intended
you to do, holding me accountable for my actions, giving me guidelines
to live by, and disciplining me in a loving manner.
I
need your encouragement and praise, but not your criticism, to
grow. Please go easy on the criticism; remember, you can criticize
the things I do without criticizing me.
Please
give me the freedom to make decisions concerning myself. Permit
me to fail, so that I can learn from my mistakes. Then someday
I'll be prepared to make the kind of decisions life requires of
me.
Please
don't do things over for me. Somehow that makes me feel that my
efforts didn't quite measure up to your expectations. I know it's
hard, but please don't try to compare me with my brother or my
sister.
Please
don't be afraid to leave for a weekend. Kids need vacations from
parents, just as parents need vacations from kids.
Please
take me to church regularly, setting a good example for me to
follow. I enjoy learning more about God.
Author
Unknown
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If
I Knew
If
I knew it would be the last time that I'd see you fall asleep,
I would tuck you in more tightly and pray the Lord, your soul
to keep.
If
I knew it would be the last time that I see you walk out the door,
I would give you a hug and kiss and call you back for one more.
If
I knew it would be the last time I'd hear your voice lifted up
in praise, I would video tape each action and word, so I could
play them back day after day.
If
I knew it would be the last time, I could spare an extra minute
or two to stop and say "I love you," instead of assuming,
you would know I do.
If
I knew it would be the last time I would be there to share your
day, well I'm sure you'll have so many more, so I can let just
this one slip away.
For
surely there's always tomorrow to make up for an oversight, and
we always get a second chance to make everything right.
There
will always be another day to say our "I love you's",
And certainly there's another chance to say our "Anything
I can do's?"
But
just in case I might be wrong, and today is all I get, I'd like
to say how much I love you and I hope we never forget.
Tomorrow
is not promised to anyone, young or old alike. And today may be
the last chance you get to hold your loved one tight.
So
if you're waiting for tomorrow, why not do it today?
For
if tomorrow never comes, you'll surely regret the day. That you
didn't take that extra time for a smile, a hug, or a kiss and
you were too busy to grant someone, what turned out to be their
one last wish.
So
hold your loved ones close today, whisper in their ear. Tell them
how much you love them and that you'll always hold them dear.
Take time to say "I'm sorry," "please forgive me,"
"thank you" or "it's okay".
And
if tomorrow never comes, you'll have no regrets about today.
Author
Unknown
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The
Chicken
Once
upon a time, there was a large mountainside, where an eagle's
nest rested. The eagle's nest contained four large eagle eggs.
One day an earthquake rocked the mountain causing one of the eggs
to roll down the mountain, to a chicken farm, located in the valley
below. The chickens knew that they must protect and care for the
eagle's egg, so an old hen volunteered to nurture and raise the
large egg.
One
day, the egg hatched and a beautiful eagle was born. Sadly, however,
the eagle was raised to be a chicken. Soon, the eagle believed
he was nothing more than a chicken. The eagle loved his home and
family, but his spirit cried out for more. While playing a game
on the farm one day, the eagle looked to the skies above and noticed
a group of mighty eagles soaring in the skies. "Oh,"
the eagle cried, "I wish I could soar like those birds."
The chickens roared with laughter, "You cannot soar with
those birds. You are a chicken and chickens do not soar."
The
eagle continued staring, at his real family up above, dreaming
that he could be with them. Each time the eagle would let his
dreams be known, he was told it couldn't be done. That is what
the eagle learned to believe. The eagle, after time, stopped dreaming
and continued to live his life like a chicken. Finally, after
a long life as a chicken, the eagle passed away.
The
moral of the story: You become what you believe you are; so if
you ever dream to become an eagle follow your dreams, not the
words of a chicken.
Author
Unknown
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The
Best Time of My Life
It
was June 15, and in two days I would be turning thirty. I was
insecure about entering a new decade of my life and feared that
my best years were now behind me.
My
daily routine included going to the gym for a workout before going
to work. Every morning I would see my friend Nicholas at the gym.
He was seventy-nine years old and in terrific shape. As I greeted
Nicholas on this particular day, he noticed I wasn't full of my
usual vitality and asked if there was anything wrong. I told him
I was feeling anxious about turning thirty. I wondered how I would
look back on my life once I reached Nicholas's age, so I asked
him, "What was the best time of your life?"
Without
hesitation, Nicholas replied, "Well, Joe, this is my philosophical
answer to your philosophical question:
"When
I was a child in Austria and everything was taken care of for
me and I was nurtured by my parents, that was the best time of
my life.
"When
I was going to school and learning the things I know today, that
was the best time of my life.
"When
I got my first job and had responsibilities and got paid for my
efforts, that was the best time of my life.
"When
I met my wife and fell in love, that was the best time of my life.
"The
Second World War came, and my wife and I had to flee Austria to
save our lives. When we were together and safe on a ship bound
for North America, that was the best time of my life.
"When
we came to Canada and started a family, that was the best time
of my life.
"When
I was a young father, watching my children grow up, that was the
best time of my life.
"And
now, Joe, I am seventy-nine years old. I have my health, I feel
good and I am in love with my wife just as I was when we first
met. This is the best time of my life."
Joe
Kemp
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The
Cake
Cindy
glanced nervously at the clock on the kitchen wall. Five minutes
before midnight.
"They
should be home any time now," she thought as she put the
finishing touches on the chocolate cake she was frosting. It was
the first time in her12 years she had tried to make a cake from
scratch, and to be honest, it wasn't exactly an aesthetic triumph.
The cake was . . . well, lumpy. And the frosting was bitter, as
if she had run out of sugar or something. Which, of course, she
had.
And
then there was the way the kitchen looked. Imagine a huge blender
filled with all the fixings for chocolate cake -- including the
requisite bowls, pans and utensils. Now imagine that the blender
is turned on. High speed. With the lid off. Do you get the idea?
But
Cindy wasn't thinking about the mess. She had created something,
a veritable phoenix of flour and sugar rising out of the kitchen
clutter. She was anxious for her parents to return home from their
date so she could present her anniversary gift to them. She turned
off the kitchen lights and waited excitedly in the darkness. When
at last she saw the flash of the car headlights, she positioned
herself in the kitchen doorway. By the time she heard the key
sliding into the front door, she was THIS CLOSE to exploding.
Her
parents tried to slip in quietly, but Cindy would have none of
that. She flipped on the lights dramatically and trumpeted: "Ta-daaa!"
She gestured grandly toward the kitchen table, where a slightly
off-balance two-layer chocolate cake awaited their inspection.
But
her mother's eyes never made it all the way to the table. "Just
look at this mess!" she moaned. "How many times have
I talked to you about cleaning up after yourself?"
"But
Mom, I was only..."
"I
should make you clean this up right now, but I'm too tired to
stay up with you to make sure you get it done right," her
mother said. "So you'll do it first thing in the morning."
"Honey,"
Cindy's father interjected gently, "take a look at the table."
"I
know -- it's a mess," his wife said coldly. "The whole
kitchen is a disaster. I can't stand to look at it." She
stormed up the stairs and into her room, slamming the door shut
behind her.
For
a few moments Cindy and her father stood silently, neither one
knowing what to say. At last she looked up at him, her eyes moist
and red. "She never saw the cake," she said.
Unfortunately,
Cindy's mother isn't the only parent who suffers from Situational
Timbercular Glaucoma -- the occasional inability to see the forest
for the trees. From time to time we all allow ourselves to be
blinded to issues of long-term significance by Stuff That Seems
Awfully Important Right Now -- but isn't. Muddy shoes, lost lunch
money and messy kitchens are troublesome, and they deserve their
place among life's frustrations. But what's a little mud -- even
on new carpet -- compared to a child's self- esteem? Is a lost
dollar more valuable than a youngster's emerging dignity? And
while kitchen sanitation is important, is it worth the sacrifice
of tender feelings and relationships?
I'm
not saying that our children don't need to learn responsibility,
or to occasionally suffer the painful consequences of their own
bad choices. Those lessons are vital, and need to be carefully
taught. But as parents, we must never forget that we're not just
teaching lessons -- we're teaching children. That means there
are times when we really need to see the mess in the kitchen.
And
times when we only need to see the cake.
Joseph
Walker
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Attitude
The
longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.
Attitude, to me, is more important than facts. It is more important
than the past, than education, than money, then circumstances,
than failures, than successes, than what other people think, say,
or do. It is more important than appearance, giftedness, or skill.
It will make or break a company, a church, a home. The remarkable
thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we
will embrace for that day.
We
cannot change our past. We cannot change the fact that people
will act in a certain way. We cannot change the inevitable. The
only thing we can do is play on the one string we have, and that
is our attitude. I am convinced that life is 10% what happens
to me and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you. We are
in charge of our attitudes.
Rev.
Charles Swindoll
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Cookies
That
afternoon a camp counselor, who had been told of the theft, saw
another boy sitting behind a tree eating the stolen cookies. "That
young man," he said to himself, "must be taught not
to steal."
He
returned to the group and sought out the boy whose cookies had
been stolen. "Billy," he said, "I know who stole
your cookies. Will you help me teach him a lesson?"
"Well,
yes - but aren't you going to punish him?" asked the puzzled
boy.
"No,
that would only make him resent and hate you," the counselor
explained. "I want you to call your mother and ask her to
send you another box of cookies." The boy did as the counselor
asked and a few days later received another box of cookies in
the mail.
"Now,"
said the counselor, "the boy who stole your cookies is down
by the lake. Go down there and share your cookies with him."
"But,"
protested the boy, "he's the thief."
"I
know. But try it--see what happens."
Half
an hour later the camp counselor saw the two come up the hill,
arm in arm. The boy who had stolen the cookies was earnestly trying
to get the other to accept his jackknife in payment for the stolen
cookies, and the victim was just as earnestly refusing the gift
from his new friend, saying that a few old cookies weren't that
important anyway.
Author
Unknown
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Puppies
For Sale
A
store owner was tacking a sign above his door that read "Puppies
For Sale." Signs like that have a way of attracting small
children and sure enough, a little boy appeared under the store
owner's sign.
"How
much are you going to sell the puppies for?" he asked.
The
store owner replied, "Anywhere from $30 to $50."
The
little boy reached in his pocket and pulled out some change. "I
have $2.37," he said. "Can I please look at them?"
The
store smiled and whistled and out of the kennel came Lady, who
ran down the aisle of his store followed by five teeny, tiny balls
of fur. One puppy was lagging considerably behind. Immediately
the little boy singled out the lagging, limping puppy and said,
"What's wrong with that little dog?"
The
store owner explained that the veterinarian had examined the little
puppy and had discovered it didn't have a hip socket. It would
always limp. It would always be lame.
The
little boy became excited. "That is the little puppy that
I want to buy."
The
store owner said, "No, you don't want to buy that little
dog. If you really want him, I'll just give him to you."
The
little boy got quite upset. He looked straight into the store
owner's eyes, pointing his finger, and said, "I don't want
you to give him to me. That little dog is worth every bit as much
as all the other dogs and I'll pay full price. In fact, I'll give
you $2.37 now, and 50 cents a month until I have him paid for."
The
store owner countered, "You really don't want to buy this
little dog. He is never going to be able to run and jump and play
with you like the other puppies."
To
this, the little boy reached down and rolled up his pant leg to
reveal a badly twisted, crippled left leg supported by a big metal
brace. He looked up at the store owner and softly replied, "Well,
I don't run so well myself, and the little puppy will need someone
who understands!"
Dan
Clark "Weathering the Storm"
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To
Be Enormously Gorgeous
My
dad says I am enormously gorgeous. I wonder if I really am.
To
be enormously gorgeous... Sarah says you need to have beautiful
long, curly hair like she has.
I
don't.
To
be enormously gorgeous... Justin says you must have perfectly
straight white teeth like he has.
I
don't.
To
be enormously gorgeous... Jessica says you can't have any of those
little brown dots on your face called freckles.
I
do.
To
be enormously gorgeous... Mark says you have to be the smartest
kid in the seventh-grade class.
I'm
not.
To
be enormously gorgeous... Stephen says you have to be able to
tell the funniest jokes in the school.
I
don't.
To
be enormously gorgeous... Lauren says you need to live in the
nicest neighborhood in town and in the prettiest house.
I
don't.
To
be enormously gorgeous... Matthew says you can only wear the coolest
clothes and the most popular shoes.
I
don't.
To
be enormously gorgeous... Samantha says you need to come from
a perfect family.
I
don't.
But
every night at bedtime my dad gives me a big hug and says, "You
are enormously gorgeous, and I love you."
My
dad must know something my friends don't.
by
Carla O'Brien
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My
Dad
He's
rough and lacks in etiquette,
Society would say.
He has no classy attributes,
To help him on his way.
He's
not a fancy dresser,
And he's not so trimmed and neat.
With simple clothes and simple shoes,
He wears upon his feet.
He
doesn't belong to a club,
Or drive a shiny car.
And when he takes vacations,
He does not go very far.
He
doesn't dine on fine cuisine,
To him fast food's a treat.
And he may use a plastic fork,
When it is time to eat.
He
has a modest little house,
But has all that he needs.
He keeps his lawn cut nice and short,
He even trims his weeds.
He
works long hours at his job,
To make an average pay.
And even if he's sick or tired,
He goes to work each day.
His
job is just a factory job,
His pay just makes ends meet.
But, a few good friends and family,
Make his life complete.
He's
not well versed in poetry,
Theater or the arts.
And wisdom is not something,
That he constantly imparts.
He
loves the simple things in life,
For riches doesn't thirst.
He knows what is important,
And his family is put first.
The
wealth that God has given him,
To treasure in his life.
A loving son and daughter,
And a very special wife.
He
never has much money,
And his life is not a show.
But he is still the richest man,
That I will ever know.
To
others he's a simple man,
And fame he's never had.
But he's the greatest man I know,
He also is my Dad.
PoppyK1
Poppy's Poetry
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Letters
Before the Wedding Day
Letter
To Father
Dear Dad,
It
is almost midnight, Dad, as I write this to you.
It is the last thing on my list, there's nothing else to do.
Tomorrow is my wedding day, and plans are all complete.
I know there was so much to do, and you and Mom are beat.
I want to write this letter, and I saved it for the last.
And as I write these words to you, I'm thinking of the past.
All
those years as I grew up, the great times that we had.
And how I am so lucky, that I have you for my Dad.
As I recall the memories, from deep within my mind.
I know that you were busy, but you always took the time.
To give your full attention to me, when I'd come to you.
You made me feel important, in whatever I would do.
In
elementary school, you never missed our little plays.
You made sure you fit it in your schedule on those days.
In junior high, I made the choir, and you were always there.
Always, early, in the front row, in a middle chair.
In school, whatever I would try, I had your full support,
The only rule, was that I always got a good report.
You
taught me dedication, in whatever I would do.
And once committed, you would always help me see it through.
Then on our vacations, you would always plan the best.
Each year was an adventure, being better than the rest.
You would plan for weeks ahead, exciting everyone.
Anticipation of vacation, even became fun.
Dad,
you did so many things, making my life better.
All the things you've done for me, could not fit in this letter.
All the times and all the things, etched in my memory.
You are the perfect model, of what every Dad should be.
Tomorrow is my wedding, to a very special man.
But, I just want to write these words, so you will understand.
You've
given me so very much, my words could not express.
How very much you are a part, of all my happiness.
My love for life and happiness, and everything I do,
Is all a clear reflection of the love, I've learned from you.
I want to tell you Daddy, because of your special touch.
My life has been so wonderful, I love you very much.
Love,
Your Daughter
Letter
To Daughter
Dear Daughter,
Tomorrow is your wedding day, and everything is ready.
It's hard for me to write these words, and keep my fingers steady.
I am so nervous, thinking of so much to do that day.
In 12 short hours, I will give my little girl away.
I
have so much to say to you, before we walk the aisle.
So, I will write this letter, even though it's not my style.
I thought it would be easier, to write the words to you.
Then I would not forget my thoughts, as I so often do.
It's
hard for me to realize, that you are twenty-one.
It seems like only yesterday, your life had just begun.
I remember your first steps, and when you started walking.
And, "Daddy" was your first word, when you finally started
talking.
I
remember coming home, from work at five, each day,
Then you would jump into my arms, and always you would say,
"Mommy, Daddy's home from work, now, we all can eat!"
Dinner time with you and Mom, would make my day complete.
After
dinner, you would always show me something new.
Something you had made for me, or something you would do.
Then you went to school, and started growing up so fast,
The little homemade arts and crafts, became things from the past.
Becoming
independent, as you reached your teenage years.
Learning how to deal with life, and overcome your fears.
My little girl was growing up, and then I learned one thing,
No longer could I keep her safely, underneath my wing.
I
had to let you venture out, discover all that's new.
I think it was the hardest thing, I ever had to do.
Many men can tell you, as a Father it can be,
Scary, when you let your Daughter, finally be free.
You
teach them right, you teach them wrong, your wisdom you impart.
Then you set them free, and let them follow their own heart.
You guide them, and you hope and pray, the choices that they make
Create a life of happiness, with every step they take.
So
on this night, before I give my little girl away,
I have written down the words, and from my heart I'll say.
You've grown into a woman, from that little girl of mine.
And, I am proud to be your Father, you turned out just fine.
In
my mind, I'll always see my Daughter running wild.
Playing all the little games, when she was just a child.
But, tomorrow when I walk the aisle, there on my side.
Will be my proudest moment, with my Daughter as a bride.
I
love you more than life itself, and I can only pray.
As, I march you down the aisle, on your wedding day.
You will be complete and happy, when you say, "I do."
Because you've made my life a joy, and Daughter, "I love
you!"
Love,
Dad
PoppyK1
Poppy's Poetry
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The
List
He
was in the first third grade class I taught at Saint Mary's School
in Morris, Minn. All 34 of my students were dear to me, but Mark
Eklund was one
in a million. Very neat in appearance, but had that happy-to-be-alive
attitude that made even his occasional mischievousness delightful.
Mark talked incessantly. I had to remind him again and again that
talking without permission was not acceptable. What impressed
me so much, though, was his sincere response every time I had
to correct him for misbehaving - "Thank you for correcting
me, Sister!" I didn't know what to make of it at first, but
before long I became accustomed to hearing it many times a day.
One
morning my patience was growing thin when Mark talked once too
often, and then I made a novice-teacher's mistake. I looked at
him and said, "If you say one more word, I am going to tape
your mouth shut!" It wasn't ten seconds later when Chuck
blurted out, "Mark is talking again." I hadn't asked
any of the students to help me watch Mark, but since I had stated
the punishment in front of the class, I had to act on it. I remember
the scene as if it had occurred this morning.
I
walked to my desk, very deliberately opened my drawer and took
out a roll of masking tape. Without saying a word, I proceeded
to Mark's desk, tore off two pieces of tape and made a big X with
them over his mouth. I then returned to the front of the room.
As I glanced at Mark to see how he was doing he winked at me.
That did it! I started laughing. The class cheered as I walked
back to Mark's desk, removed the tape, and shrugged my shoulders.
His first words were, "Thank you for correcting me, Sister."
At
the end of the year I was asked to teach junior-high math. The
years flew by, and before I knew it Mark was in my classroom again.
He was more handsome than ever and just as polite. He had to listen
carefully to my instructions in the "new math," so he
did not talk as much in ninth grade as he had in the third.
One
Friday, things just didn't feel right. We had worked hard on a
new concept all week, and I sensed that the students were frowning,
frustrated with themselves -- and edgy with one another. I had
to stop this crankiness before it got out of hand. So I asked
them to list the names of the other students in the room on two
sheets of paper, leaving a space between each name. Then I told
them to think of the nicest thing they could say about each of
their classmates and write it down.
It
took the remainder of the class period to finish the assignment,
and as the students left the room, each one handed me the papers.
Charlie smiled. Mark said, "Thank you for teaching me, Sister.
Have a good weekend." That Saturday, I wrote down the name
of each student on a separate sheet of paper, and I listed what
everyone else had said about that individual. On Monday I gave
each student his or her list. Before long, the entire class was
smiling. "Really?" I heard whispered. "I never
knew that meant anything to anyone!" "I didn't know
others liked me so much!"
No
one ever mentioned those papers in class again. I never knew if
they discussed them after class or with their parents, but it
didn't matter. The exercise had accomplished its purpose. The
students were happy with themselves and one another again.
That
group of students moved on. Several years later, after I returned
from vacation, my parents met me at the airport. As we were driving
home, Mother asked me the usual questions about the trip -- the
weather, my experiences in general.
There
was a light lull in the conversation. Mother gave Dad a sideways
glance and I simply said, "Dad?" My father cleared his
throat as he usually did before something important. "The
Eklunds called last night," he began. "Really?"
I said. "I haven't heard from them in years. I wonder how
Mark is." Dad responded quietly. "Mark was killed in
Vietnam," he said. "The funeral is tomorrow, and his
parents would like it if you could attend." To this day I
can still point to the exact spot on I-494 where Dad told me about
Mark. I had never seen a serviceman in a military coffin before.
Mark looked so handsome, so mature. All I could think at that
moment was, Mark, I would give all the masking tape in the world
if only you would talk to me.
The
church was packed with Mark's friends. Chuck's sister sang "The
Battle Hymn of the Republic." Why did it have to rain on
the day of the funeral? It was difficult enough at the graveside.
The pastor said the usual prayers, and the bugler played taps.
One by one those who loved Mark took a last walk by the coffin
and sprinkled it with holy water. I was the last one to bless
the coffin.
As
I stood there, one of the soldiers who had acted as pallbearer
came up to me. "Were you Mark's math teacher?" he asked.
I nodded as I continued to stare at the coffin. "Mark talked
about you a lot," he said.
After
the funeral, most of Mark's former classmates headed to Chucks
farmhouse for lunch. Mark's mother and father were there, obviously
waiting for me. "We want to show you something," his
father said, taking a wallet out of his pocket. "They found
this on Mark when he was killed. We thought you might recognize
it." Opening the billfold, he carefully removed two worn
pieces of notebook paper that had obviously been taped, folded
and refolded many times. I knew without looking that the papers
were the ones on which I had listed all the good things each of
Mark's classmates had said about him. "Thank you so much
for doing that" Mark's mother said. "As you can see,
Mark treasured it."
Mark's
classmates started to gather around us. Charlie smiled rather
sheepishly and said, "I still have my list. It's in the top
drawer of my desk at home." Chuck's wife said, "Chuck
asked me to put this in our wedding album." "I have
mine too," Marilyn said. "It's in my diary." Then
Vicki, another classmate, reached into her pocketbook, took out
her wallet and showed her worn and frazzled list to the group.
"I carry this with me at all times," Vicki said without
batting an eyelash. "I think we all saved our lists."
That's when I finally sat down and cried. I cried for Mark and
for all his friends who would never see him again.
Sister
Helen P. Mrosia
The purpose of this page, is to encourage everyone to compliment
the people you love and care about. We often tend to forget the
importance of showing our affections and love. Sometimes the smallest
of things, could mean the most to another. The density of people
in society, is so thick, that we forget that life will end one
day. And we don't know when that one day will be. So please, tell
the people you love and care for, that they are special and important.
Tell them, before it is too late.
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The
Constitution of the district of Uzupis
Everyone
has the right to live by the River Vilnele, while the River Vilnele
has the right to flow by everyone.
Everyone
has the right to hot water, heating in winter and a tiled roof.
Everyone
has the right to die, but it is not a duty.
Everyone
has the right to make mistakes.
Everyone
has the right to individuality.
Everyone
has the right to love.
Everyone
has the right to be not loved, but not necessarily.
Everyone
has the right not to be distinguished and famous.
Everyone
has the right to be idle.
Everyone
has the right to love and take care of a cat.
Everyone
has the right to look after a dog till one or the other dies.
A
dog has the right to be a dog.
A
cat is not obliged to love its master, but it must help him in
difficult times.
Everyone
has the right to sometimes be unaware of his duties.
Everyone
has the right to be in doubt, but this is not a duty.
Everyone
has the right to be happy.
Everyone
has the right to be unhappy.
Everyone
has the right to be silent.
Everyone
has the right to have faith.
No
one has the right to violence.
Everyone
has the right to realize his negligibility and magnificence.
Everyone
has the right to encroach upon eternity.
Everyone
has the right to understand.
Everyone
has the right to understand nothing.
Everyone
has the right to be of various nationalities.
Everyone
has the right to celebrate or not to celebrate his birthday.
Everyone
shall remember his name.
Everyone
may share what he possesses.
No-one
can share what he does not possess.
Everyone
has the right to have brothers, sisters and parents.
Everyone
is capable of independence.
Everyone
is responsible for his freedom.
Everyone
has the right to cry.
Everyone
has the right to be misunderstood.
No-one
has the right to make another person guilty.
Everyone
has the right to be personal.
Everyone
has the right to have no rights.
Everyone
has the right to not be afraid.
Do
not defeat.
Do
not fight back.
Do
not surrender.
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