Life's measure

To all my family & friends I want to

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. ONCE YOU READ THIS YOU WILL UNDERSTAND!

A young man learns what's most important in life from the guy next door.

It had been some time since Jack had seen the old man. College, girls, career, and life itself got in the way. In fact, Jack moved clear across the country in pursuit of his dreams.

There, in the rush of his busy life, Jack had little time to think about the past and often no time to spend with his wife and son. He was working on his future, and nothing could stop him.

Over the phone, his mother told him, "Mr. Belser died last night The funeral is Wednesday." Memories flashed through his mind like an old newsreel as he sat quietly remembering his childhood days.

"Jack, did you hear me?"

"Oh, sorry, Mom. Yes, I heard you. It's been so long since I thought of him. I'm sorry, but I honestly thought he died years ago," Jack said.

"Well, he didn't forget you. Every time I saw him he'd ask how you were doing. He'd reminisce about the many days you spent over 'his side of the fence' as he put it," Mom told him.

"I loved that old house he lived in," Jack said.

"You know, Jack, after your father died, Mr. Belser stepped in to make sure you had a man's influence in your life," she said

"He's the one who taught me carpentry," he said. "I wouldn't be in this business if it weren't for him. He spent a lot of time teaching me things he thought were important...Mom, I'll be there for the funeral," Jack said.  As busy as he was, he kept his word. Jack caught the next flight to his hometown. Mr. Belser's funeral was small and uneventful He had no children of his own, and most of his relatives had passed away.  The night before he had to return home, Jack and his Mom stopped by to see the old house next door one more time.  Standing in the doorway, Jack paused for a moment.  It was like crossing over into another dimension, a leap through space and time.  The house was exactly as he remembered. Every step held memories. Every picture, every piece of furniture....Jack stopped suddenly.

"What's wrong, Jack?" his Mom asked...

"The box is gone," he said

"What box?" Mom asked.

"There was a small gold box that he kept locked on top of his desk I must have asked him a thousand times what was inside. All he'd ever tell me was 'the thing I value most,'" Jack said. It was gone. Everything about the house was exactly how Jack remembered it, except for the box.. He figured someone from the Belser family had taken it.

"Now I'll never know what was so valuable to him," Jack said. "I better get some sleep. I have an early flight home, Mom."

It had been about two weeks since Mr. Belser died Returning home from work one day Jack discovered a note in his mailbox. "Signature required on a package. No one at home. Please stop by the main post office within the next three days," the note read.

Early the next day Jack retrieved the package. The small box was old and looked like it had been mailed a hundred years ago. The handwriting was difficult to read, but the return address caught his attention. "Mr. Harold Belser" it read. Jack took the box out to his car and ripped open the package. There inside was the gold box and an envelope.  Jack's hands shook as he read the note inside.

"Upon my death, please forward this box and its contents to Jack Bennett. It's the thing I valued most in my life." A small key was taped to the letter. His heart racing, as tears filling his eyes, Jack carefully unlocked the box. There inside he found a beautiful gold pocket watch. Running his fingers slowly over the finely etched casing, he unlatched the cover.

Inside he found these words engraved: "Jack, Thanks for your time! -Harold Belser."

"The thing he valued most was...my time"

Jack held the watch for a few minutes, then called his office and cleared his appointments for the next two days. "Why?" Janet, his assistant asked.   "I need some time to spend with my son," he said.

"Oh, by the way, Janet, thanks for your time!"

"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take,

 but by the moments that take our breath away."

The Secret

One day, one friend asked another, 'How is it that you are always so happy?
You have so much energy, and you never seem to get down..'


With her eyes smiling, she said, 'I know the Secret!'
'What secret is that? '

To which she replied, I'll tell you all about it, but you have to promise to share the Secret with others.'

The questioner's first thought was, 'That's too simple!'  But upon reflecting over her own life she recalled how she thought a bigger house would make her happy, but it didn't!
She thought a better paying job would make her happy, but it hadn't.  When did she realize her greatest happiness?  Sitting on the floor with her grandchildren, playing games, eating pizza or reading a story, a simple gift from God.

Now you know it too!
We can't depend on people to make us happy.  Only GOD in His infinite wisdom can do that.  Trust HIM!  And now I pass the Secret on to you!  YOU have to tell someone the Secret, too!  That GOD in His wisdom will take care of YOU!  But it's not really a secret... We just have to believe it and do it.. Really trust God!

'The Secret is this:
I have learned there is little I can do in my life that will make me truly happy.  I must depend on God to make me happy and to meet my needs.  When a need arises in my life,  I have to trust God to supply according to HIS riches.  I have learned most of the time I don't need half of what I think I do.  He has never let me down.  Since I learned that 'Secret' I am happy. '

Saying Grace

Last week, I took my children to a restaurant.  My six-year-old son asked if he could say grace.  As we bowed our heads he said, 'God is good, God is great. Thank you for the food, and I would even thank you more if Mom gets us ice cream for dessert.  And Liberty and justice for all! Amen!'

Along with the laughter from the other customers nearby, I heard a woman remark, 'That's what's wrong with this country. Kids today don't even know how to pray.  Asking God for ice cream! Why, I never!'

Hearing this, my son burst into tears and asked me, 'Did I do it wrong? Is God mad at me?'  As I held him and assured him that he had done a terrific job, and God was certainly not mad at him, an elderly gentleman approached the table.  He winked at my son and said, 'I happen to know that God thought that was a great prayer.'

'Really?' my son asked.

'Cross my heart,' the man replied.  Then, in a theatrical whisper, he added (indicating the woman whose remark had started this whole thing), 'Too bad she never asks God for ice cream.  A little ice cream is good for the soul sometimes.'

Naturally, I bought my kids ice cream at the end of the meal.  My son stared at his for a moment, and then did something I will remember the rest of my life.

He picked up his sundae and, without a word, walked over and placed it in front of the woman.  With a big smile he told her, 'Here, this is for you. Ice cream is good for the soul sometimes; and my soul is good already.'

Sometimes, we all need some ice cream.  I hope God sends you some Ice Cream today!

Do It Anyway - Mother Teresa

People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered; forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives; Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies; succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous; be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have and it may never be enough; Give the world the best you've got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis it is between you and God; it was never between you and them anyway.

Mother Teresa

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Rules from God

1. Wake Up !!

Decide to have a good day.
"Today is the day the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it" Psalms 118:24

2.  Dress Up !!

"The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at outward appearance; but the Lord looks at the heart."
I Samuel 16:7

3 . Shut Up!!

Say nice things and learn to listen.. God gave us two ears and one mouth, so He must have meant for us to do twice as much listening as talking.

"He who guards his lips guards his soul." Proverbs 13:3

4. Stand Up!!.....

For what you believe in. Stand for something or you will fall for anything..

"Let us not be weary in doing good; for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good..." Galatians 6:9-10

5. Look Up !!... To the Lord.
"I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me."
Philippians 4:13

6. Reach Up !!...

For something higher.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, And He will direct your path."

7. Lift Up !!... Your Prayers.
"Do not worry about anything; Instead PRAY ABOUT EVERYTHING."

Philippians 4:6
Proverbs 3:5-6 The best way to dress up is to put on a smile. A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks. 

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Christmas at the Gas Station

The old man sat in his gas station on a cold Christmas Eve. He hadn't been anywhere in years since his wife had passed away. It was just another day to him. He didn't hate Christmas, just couldn't find a reason to celebrate. He was sitting there looking at the snow that had been falling for the last hour and wondering what it was all about when the door opened and a homeless man stepped through.  "Not without something hot in your belly." George said.   "You ain't going in this thing," George said as he turned away.


"But Mister, please help ..." The door of the office closed behind George as he went inside. He went to the office wall and got the keys to his old truck, and went back outside. He walked around the building, opened the garage, started the truck and drove it around to where the couple was waiting. "Here, take my truck," he said. "She ain't the best thing you ever looked at, but she runs real good."


George helped put the woman in the truck and watched as it sped off into the night. He turned and walked back inside the office. "Glad I gave 'em the truck, their tires were shot too. That 'ol truck has brand new ." George thought he was talking to the stranger, but the man had gone. The Thermos was on the desk, empty, with a used coffee cup beside it. "Well, at least he got something in his belly," George thought.


George went back outside to see if the old Chevy would start. It cranked slowly, but it started. He pulled it into the garage where the truck had been. He thought he would tinker with it for something to do. Christmas Eve meant no customers. He discovered the the block hadn't cracked, it was just the bottom hose on the radiator. "Well, shoot, I can fix this," he said to
himself.. So he put a new one on.


"Those tires ain't gonna get 'em through the winter either." He took the snow treads off of his wife's old Lincoln. They were like new and he wasn't going to drive the car anyway.


As he was working, he heard shots being fired. He ran outside and beside a police car an officer lay on the cold ground. Bleeding from the left shoulder, the officer moaned, "Please help me."


George helped the officer inside as he remembered the training he had received in the Army as a medic. He knew the wound needed attention. "Pressure to stop the bleeding," he thought. The uniform company had been there that morning and had left clean shop towels. He used those and duct tape to bind the wound. "Hey, they say duct tape can fix anythin'," he said, trying to make the policeman feel at ease.


"Something for pain," George thought. All he had was the pills he used for his back. "These ought to work." He put some water in a cup and gave the policeman the pills. "You hang in there, I'm going to get you an ambulance."


The phone was dead. "Maybe I can get one of your buddies on that there talk box out in your car." He went out only to find that a bullet had gone into the dashboard destroying the two way radio.


He went back in to find the policeman sitting up. "Thanks," said the officer. "You could have left me there. The guy that shot me is still in the area."


George sat down beside him, "I would never leave an injured man in the Army and I ain't gonna leave you." George pulled back the bandage to check for bleeding. "Looks worse than what it is. Bullet passed right through 'ya. Good thing it missed the important stuff though. I think with time your gonna be right as rain."


George got up and poured a cup of coffee. "How do you take it?" he asked.   "None for me," said the officer.   "Oh, yer gonna drink this.  Best in the city. Too bad I ain't got no donuts." The officer laughed and winced at the same time.


The front door of the office flew open. In burst a young man with a gun. "Give me all your cash! Do it now!" the young man yelled. His hand was shaking and George could tell that he had never done anything like this before.


"That's the guy that shot me!" exclaimed the officer.


"Son, why are you doing this?" asked George, "You need to put the cannon away. Somebody else might get hurt."


The young man was confused. "Shut up old man, or I'll shoot you, too. Now give me the cash!"


The cop was reaching for his gun. "Put that thing away," George said to the cop, "we got one too many in here now."


He turned his attention to the young man. "Son, it's Christmas Eve. If you need money, well then, here. It ain't much but it's all I got. Now put that pea shooter away."


George pulled $150 out of his pocket and handed it to the young man, reaching for the barrel of the gun at the same time. The young man released his grip on the gun, fell to his knees and began to cry. "I'm not very good at this am I? All I wanted was to buy something for my wife and son," he went on. "I've lost my job, my rent is due, my car got repossessed last week."


George handed the gun to the cop. "Son, we all get in a bit of squeeze now and then. The road gets hard sometimes, but we make it through the best we can."


He got the young man to his feet, and sat him down on a chair across from the cop. "Sometimes we do stupid things." George handed the young man a cup of coffee. "Bein' stupid is one of the things that makes us human. Comin' in here with a gun ain't the answer. Now sit there and get warm and we'll sort this thing out."


The young man had stopped crying. He looked over to the cop. "Sorry I shot you.. It just went off. I'm sorry officer."   "Shut up and drink your coffee " the cop said.   George could hear the sounds of sirens outside. A police car and an ambulance skidded to a halt. Two cops came through the door, guns drawn. "Chuck! You ok?" one of the cops asked the wounded officer.


"Not bad for a guy who took a bullet. How did you find me?"


"GPS locator in the car. Best thing since sliced bread. Who did this?" the other cop asked as he approached the young man.


Chuck answered him, "I don't know. The guy ran off into the dark. Just dropped his gun and ran."


George and the young man both looked puzzled at each other.


"That guy work here?" the wounded cop continued.   "Yep,"  George said, "just hired him this morning. Boy lost his job."


The paramedics came in and loaded Chuck onto the stretcher. The young man leaned over the wounded cop and whispered, "Why?"


Chuck just said, "Merry Christmas boy ... and you too, George, and thanks for everything."


"Well, looks like you got one doozy of a break there. That ought to solve some of your problems."


George went into the back room and came out with a box. He pulled out a ring box. "Here you go, something for the little woman. I don't think Martha would mind. She said it would come in handy some day."


The young man looked inside to see the biggest diamond ring he ever saw. "I can't take this," said the young man. "It means something to you."


"And now it means something to you," replied George. "I got my memories. That's all I need."


George reached into the box again. An airplane, a car and a truck appeared next. They were toys that the oil company had left for him to sell. "Here's something for that little man of yours."


The young man began to cry again as he handed back the $150 that the old man had handed him earlier.


"And what are you supposed to buy Christmas dinner with? You keep that too," George said. "Now git home to your family."


The young man turned with tears streaming down his face. "I'll be here in the morning for work, if that job offer is still good."


"Nope. I'm closed Christmas day," George said. "See ya the day after."


George turned around to find that the stranger had returned. "Where'd you come from? I thought you left?"


"I have been here. I have always been here," said the stranger. "You say you don't celebrate Christmas. Why?"


"Well, after my wife passed away, I just couldn't see what all the bother was. Puttin' up a tree and all seemed a waste of a good pine tree. Bakin' cookies like I used to with Martha just wasn't the same by myself and besides I was gettin' a little chubby."


The stranger put his hand on George's shoulder. "But you do celebrate the holiday, George. You gave me food and drink and warmed me when I was cold and hungry. The woman with child will bear a son and he will become a great doctor.


The policeman you helped will go on to save 19 people from being killed by terrorists. The young man who tried to rob you will make you a rich man and not take any for himself. "That is the spirit of the season and you keep it as good as any man."


George was taken aback by all this stranger had said. "And how do you know all this?" asked the old man.


"Trust me, George. I have the inside track on this sort of thing. And when your days are done you will be with Martha again."


The stranger moved toward the door. "If you will excuse me, George, I have to go now. I have to go home where there is a big celebration planned."


George watched as the old leather jacket and the torn pants that the stranger was wearing turned into a white robe. A golden light began to fill the room.


"You see, George ... it's My birthday. Merry Christmas."


George fell to his knees and replied, "Happy Birthday, Lord Jesus"


Merry Christmas!!

Carrot, Eggs and Coffee

A carrot, an egg, and a cup of coffee...You will never
look at a cup of coffee the same way again.

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her
life and how things were so hard for her She did not
know how she was going to make it and wanted to give up,
She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as
one problem was solved, a new one arose.

How to stay young

We all need to read this one over and over until it becomes part of who we are!

1. Try everything twice. On one woman's tombstone she said she wanted this epitaph: "Tried everything twice, loved it both times!"

2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down. (Keep this in mind if you are one of those grouches!)

3. Keep learning: Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain get idle. 'An idle mind is the devil's workshop.' And the devil's name is Alzheimer's!

4. Enjoy the simple things.

5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath. And if you have a friend who makes you laugh, spend lots and lots of time with HIM/HER.

6. The tears happen: Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. LIVE while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love: Whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.

8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county, to a foreign country, but NOT to where the guilt is.
10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity. I love you, my special friend.

11. Forgive now those who made you cry. You might not get a second chance.

Remember! Lost time can never be found. Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

Chocolate Sings

One day I had a date for lunch with friends. Mae, a little old 'blue hair' about 80 years old, came along with them---all in all, a pleasant bunch. When the menus were presented, we ordered salads, sandwiches, and soups, except for Mae who said, 'Ice Cream, please. Two scoops, chocolate.'


I wasn't sure my ears heard right, and the others were aghast.
'Along with heated apple pie,' Mae added, completely unabashed.
We tried to act quite nonchalant, as if people did this all the time.
But when our orders were brought out, I didn't enjoy mine.
I couldn't take my eyes off Mae as her pie a-la-mode went down.
The other ladies showed dismay. They ate their lunches silently and frowned.


The next time I went out to eat, I called and invited Mae.
I lunched on white meat tuna. She ordered a parfait.
I smiled. She asked if she amused me.
I answered, 'Yes, you do, but also you confuse me.
How come you order rich desserts, while I feel I must be sensible?
She laughed and said, with wanton mirth, 'I'm tasting all that is Possible.


I try to eat the food I need, and do the things I should.
But life's so short, my friend, I hate missing out on something good.
This year I realized how old I was. (She grinned) I haven't been this old before.'
'So, before I die, I've got to try those things that for years I had ignored.
I haven't smelled all the flowers yet. There are too many books I haven't read. There's more fudge sundaes to wolf down and kites to be flown overhead.


There are many malls I haven't shopped. I've not laughed at all the jokes.
I've missed a lot of Broadway hits and potato chips and cokes.
I want to wade again in water and feel ocean spray on my face.
I want to sit in a country church once more and thank God for His grace.
I want peanut butter every day spread on my morning toast.
I want un-timed long distance calls to the folks I love the most.


I haven't cried at all the movies yet, or walked in the morning rain.
I need to feel wind in my hair. I want to fall in love again.
So, if I choose to have dessert, instead of having dinner,
then should I die before night fall, I'd say I died a winner,
because I missed out on nothing. I filled my heart's desire.
I had that final chocolate mousse before my life expired.'


With that, I called the waitress over... 'I've changed my mind, ' I said. 'I want what she is having, only add some more whipped cream!'


Be mindful that happiness isn't based on possessions, power, or prestige, but on relationships with people we love and respect. Remember that while money talks, CHOCOLATE SINGS!

Keeping a Positive Attitude

John is the kind of guy you love to hate. He is always in a good mood and always has something positive to say. When someone would ask him how he was doing, he would reply, "If I were any better, I would be twins!"


He was a natural motivator. If an employee was having a bad day, John was there telling the employee how to look on the positive side of the situation.


Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went up and asked him, "I don't get it! You can't be a positive person all of the time. How do you do it?"


He replied, "Each morning I wake up and say to myself, you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or you can choose to be in a bad mood. I choose to be in a good mood."


Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim or I can choose to learn from it. I choose to learn from it.


Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose to accept their complaining or I can point out the positive side of life. I choose the positive side of life.


"Yeah, right, it's not that easy," I protested.


"Yes, it is," he said. "Life is all about choices. When you cut away all the junk, every situation is a choice. You choose how you react to situations. You choose how people affect your mood. You choose to be in a good mood or bad mood.


The bottom line: It's your choice how you live your life."


I reflected on what he said.


Soon there after, I left the Tower Industry to start my own business. We lost touch, but I often thought about him when I made a choice about life instead of reacting to it.


Several years later, I heard that he was involved in a serious accident, falling some 60 feet from a communications tower. After 18 hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care, he was released from the hospital with rods placed in his back. I saw him about six months after the accident.


When I asked him how he was, he replied, "If I were any better, I'd be twins. Wanna see my scars?"


I declined to see his wounds, but I did ask him what had gone through his mind as the accident took place.


"The first thing that went through my mind was the well-being of my soon-to-be born daughter," he replied.


"Then, as I lay on the ground, I remembered that I had two choices: I could choose to live or I could choose to die. I chose to live."


"Weren't you scared? Did you lose consciousness?" I asked


He continued, "the paramedics were great. They kept telling me I was going to be fine. But when they wheeled me into the ER and I saw the expressions on the faces of the doctors and nurses, I got really scared. In their eyes, I read 'he's a dead man'. I knew I needed to take action."


"What did you do?" I asked.


"Well, there was a big burly nurse shouting questions at me," said John.


"She asked if I was allergic to anything?


Yes, I replied. The doctors and nurses stopped working as they waited for my reply.


I took a deep breath and yelled, 'Gravity'.


Over their laughter, I told them, "I am choosing to live. Operate on me as if I am alive, not dead."


He lived, thanks to the skill of his doctors, but also because of his amazing attitude...


I learned from him that every day we have the choice to live fully. Attitude, after all, is everything.


"There fore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." Matthew 6:34.


After all today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.

Perspective

One day, the father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the express purpose of showing him how poor people live. They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.


On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, 'How was the trip?'


'It was great, Dad.'


'Did you see how poor people live?' the father asked.


'Oh yeah,' said the son.


'So, tell me, what did you learn from the trip?' asked the father.


The son answered: 'I saw that we have one dog and they had four. We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end. We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night. Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon. We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight. We have servants who serve us, but they serve others. We buy our food, but they grow theirs. We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them.'


The boy's father was speechless.


Then his son added, 'Thanks Dad for showing me how poor we are.'


Isn't perspective a wonderful thing? Makes you wonder what would happen if we all gave thanks for everything we have, instead of worrying about what we don't have.

Baby Hugs

A Baby's Hug ~


We were the only family with children in the restaurant. I sat Erik in a high chair and noticed everyone was quietly sitting and talking.


Suddenly, Erik squealed with glee and said, 'Hi.' He pounded his fat baby hands on the high chair tray. His eyes were crinkled in laughter and his mouth was bared in a toothless grin, as he wriggled and giggled with merriment.


I looked around and saw the source of his merriment. It was a man whose pants were baggy with a zipper at half-mast and his toes poked out of would-be shoes. His shirt was dirty and his hair was uncombed and unwashed. His whiskers were too short to be called a beard and his nose was so varicose it looked like a road map. We were too far from him to smell, but I was sure he smelled..


His hands waved and flapped on loose wrists. 'Hi there, baby; hi there, big boy. I see ya, buster,' the man said to Erik.


My husband and I exchanged looks, 'What do we do?' Erik continued to laugh and answer, 'Hi. 'Everyone in the restaurant noticed and looked at us and then at the man.


The old geezer was creating a nuisance with my beautiful baby. Our meal came and the man began shouting from across the room, 'Do ya patty cake? Do you know peek-a-boo? Hey, look, he knows peek- a-boo.


'Nobody thought the old man was cute. He was obviously drunk. My husband and I were embarrassed. We ate in silence; all except for Erik, who was running through his repertoire for the admiring skid-row bum, who in turn, reciprocated with his cute comments.


We finally got through the meal and headed for the door. My husband went to pay the check and told me to meet him in the parking lot. The old man sat poised between me and the door.


'Lord, just let me out of here before he speaks to me or Erik,' I prayed. As I drew closer to the man, I turned my back trying to side step him and avoid any air he might be breathing. As I did, Erik leaned over my arm, reaching with both arms in a baby's pick-me-up' position. Before I could stop him, Erik had propelled himself from my arms to the man.


Suddenly a very old smelly man and a very young baby consummated their love and kinship. Erik in an act of total trust, love, and submission laid his tiny head upon the man's ragged shoulder. The man's eyes closed, and I saw tears hover beneath his lashes. His aged hands full of grime, pain, and hard labor, cradled my baby's bottom and stroked his back. No two beings have ever loved so deeply for so short a time.


I stood awe struck. The old man rocked and cradled Erik in his arms and his eyes opened and set squarely on mine. He said in a firm commanding voice, 'You take care of this baby.' Somehow I managed, 'I will,' from a throat that contained a stone.


He pried Erik from his chest, lovingly and longingly, as though he were in pain. I received my baby, and the man said, 'God bless you, ma'am, you've given me my Christmas gift.' I said nothing more than a muttered thanks.


With Erik in my arms, I ran for the car. My husband was wondering why I was crying and holding Erik so tightly, and why I was saying, 'My God, my God, forgive me.'


I had just witnessed Christ's love shown through the innocence of a tiny child who saw no sin, who made no judgment; a child who saw a soul, and a mother who saw a suit of clothes. I was a Christian who was blind, holding a child who was not.


I felt it was God asking, 'Are you willing to share your son for a moment?' When He shared His for all eternity. How did God feel when he put his baby in our arms 2000 years ago.


The ragged old man, unwittingly, had reminded me, 'To enter the Kingdom of God, we must become as little children.' Sometimes, it takes a child to remind us of what is really important.


We must always remember who we are, where we came from and, most importantly, how we feel about others. The clothes on your back or the car that you drive or the house that you live in does not define you at all; it is how you treat your fellow man that identifies who you are.


This one is a keeper.' It is better to be liked for the true you, than to be loved for who people think you are......


Author Unknown

Peek a Boo

Peek A Boo - I see You,
"I overheard my neighbor's child.
"Peek A Boo - I love You,
"I watched and listened for a while.


The little girl skipped down the walk,
Humming as she moved.
From time to time,
I'd see her stop,
And sing her childish tune.


"Peek A Boo - I see You,
"Her sweet face looked so intent.
"Peek A Boo - I love You,
"Then down the path she went.


I saw her do this several times,
Poor, lonesome child,
I thought.She only has a nursery rhyme,
To go with her on her walk.


"Peek A Boo - I see You,
"She did it then once more.
"Peek A Boo - I love You,
"Then I scurried out my door.


I could not stand it any longer,
What did this child see?
I hurried up and caught her,
Hoping she'd explain to me.


"Peek A Boo - I see You,
"Her face buried in some Daisies.
"Peek A Boo - I love You,
"Was this child crazy?


"Honey," I call out to her,
"What are You looking at?"
(I may have to tell her mother,And I needed all the facts.)
She gave me then a vacant stare,


And said, "There's nothing's wrong.
I see Lord Jesus everywhere,
That's why I sing my song."


"Mama says He's in the flowers,
And He's in the bushes and the trees.
And He's in rainbows and in showers,
And He's even in the breeze."


"I see Him everywhere I look,
And I like to tell Him so.
You see, He's not just in The Book,
He's everywhere I go."


"Peek A Boo - I see You,
"I peeked into her precious face.
"Peek A Boo - I love You,
"Then I thanked God for such grace.


--author unknown

Lyrics to Thankful by Josh Groban

Some days we forget to look around us
Some days we can’t see the joy that surrounds us
So caught up inside ourselves
We take when we should give

So for tonight we pray for what we know can be
And on this day we hope for what we still can’t see
It’s up to us to be the change
And even though we all can still do more
There’s so much to be thankful for

Look beyond ourselves
There’s so much sorrow
It’s way too late to say I’ll cry tomorrow
Each of us must find our truth
So long overdue

So for tonight we pray for what we know can be
And everyday we hope for what we still can’t see
It’s up to us to be the change
And even though we all can still do more
There’s so much to be thankful for

Even with our differences
There is a place we’re all connected
Each of us can find each other’s light

So for tonight we pray for what we know can be
And on this day we hope for what we still can’t see
It’s up to us to be the change
And even though this world needs so much more
There’s so much to be thankful for

Eat Ice Cream

Too many people put off something that brings them joy just because they haven't thought about it, don't have it on their schedule, didn't know it was coming or are too rigid to depart from their routine.

I got to thinking one day about all those women on the Titanic who passed up dessert at dinner that fateful night in an effort to cut back.

From then on, I've tried to be a little more flexible. How many women out there will eat at home because their husband didn't suggest going out to dinner until after something had been thawed?
Does the word 'refrigeration' mean nothing to you?

How often have your kids dropped in to talk and sat in silence while you watched ' Jeopardy ' on television?

I cannot count the times I called my sister and said, 'How about going to lunch in a half hour?' She would gas up and stammer, 'I can't. I have clothes on the line. My hair is dirty. I wish I had known yesterday, I had a late breakfast, It looks like rain.' And my personal favorite: 'It's Monday.' She died a few years ago. We never did have lunch together.

Because Americans cram so much into their lives, we tend to schedule our headaches.

We live on a sparse diet of promises we make to ourselves when all the conditions are perfect! We'll go back and visit the grandparents when we get Johnny toilet-trained.

We'll entertain when we replace the living-room carpet...

We'll go on a second honeymoon when we get two more kids out of college.

Life has a way of accelerating as we get older. The days get shorter, and the list of promises to ourselves gets longer. One morning, we awaken, and all we have to show for our lives is a litany of 'I'm going to,' 'I plan on,' and 'Someday, when things are settled down a bit.'

When anyone calls my 'seize the moment' friend, she is open to adventure and available for trips. She keeps an open mind on new ideas. Her enthusiasm for life is contagious. You talk with her for five minutes, and you're ready to trade your bad feet for a pair of Roller blades and skip an elevator for a bungee cord..

My lips have not touched ice cream in 10 years. I love ice cream. It's just that I might as well apply it directly to my stomach with a spatula and eliminate the digestive process. The other day, I stopped the car and bought a triple-Decker.

If my car had hit an iceberg on the way home, I would have died happy.

Now...go on and have a nice day. Do something you WANT to......not something on your SHOULD DO list.

If you were going to die soon and had only one phone call you could make, who would you call and what would you say? And why are you waiting?

Make sure you read this to the end; you will understand why I sent this to you.

Have you ever watched kids playing on a merry go round or listened to the rain lapping on the ground? Ever followed a butter fly's erratic flight or gazed at the sun into the fading night?

Do you run through each day on the fly? When you ask ' How are you?' Do you hear the reply?

When the day is done, do you lie in your bed with the next hundred chores running through your head?

Ever told your child, 'We'll do it tomorrow.' And in your haste, not see his sorrow?

Ever lost touch? Let a good friendship die? Just call to say 'Hi?

When you worry and hurry through your day, it is like an unopened gift...Thrown away..... Life is not a race Take it slower. Hear the music before the song is over.

Attitude by Charles Swindoll

"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, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people think or 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."

The Donkey in the Well

One day a farmer's donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do.

Finally he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway, it just wasn't worth it to retrieve the donkey. He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him.

They each grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realized what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone's amazement, he quieted down. A few shovel loads later, the farmer looked down the well, and was astonished at what he saw. As every shovel of dirt hit his back, the donkey did something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up.

As the farmer's neighbors continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed, as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and trotted off.

The Moral:

Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of our troubles a stepping stone. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up! Shake it off and take a step up!

Just for today

Just For Today: I will live through this day only. I will not brood about yesterday or obsess about tomorrow. I will not set far-reaching goals or try to overcome all of my problems at once. I know that I can do something for 24 hours that would overwhelm me if I had to keep it up for a lifetime.
 Just For Today: I will be happy. I will not dwell on thoughts that depress me. If my mind fills with clouds, I will chase it away and fill it with sunshine.

Just For Today: I will accept what is. I will face reality. I will correct those things I can correct, and accept those I cannot.

Just For Today: I will improve my mind. I will read something that requires effort, thought, and concentration. I will not be a mental loafer.

Just For Today: I will make a conscious effort to be agreeable. I will be kind and courteous to those who cross my path, and I will not speak ill of others. I will do something to improve my appearance, speak softly, and not interrupt when someone else is talking.

Just For Today: I will refrain from improving anybody but myself.

Just For Today: I will do something positive to improve my health. If I am a smoker I will quit. If I am overweight, I will eat healthfully.....if only just for today. And not only that, I will get off the couch/chair and take a brisk walk, even if it is only around the block.

Just For Today: I will gather the courage to do what is right and take responsibility for my own actions without trying to blame someone, or something else for them.

(This is adapted from the original credo of Al-anon and has been used in the Dear Abby column annually for many years.)

Attitude is everything

There once was a woman who woke up one morning, looked in the mirror,and noticed she had only three hairs on her head.
 Well," she said, "I think I'll braid my hair today?"So she did and she had a wonderful day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirrorand saw that she had only two hairs on her head.

"H-M-M," she said, "I think I'll part my hair down the middle today?"So she did and she had a grand day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that she had only one hair on her head.

"Well," she said, "today I'm going to wear my hair in a pony tail."So she did and she had a fun, fun day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and noticed that there wasn't a single hair on her head.

"YEA!" she exclaimed,"I don't have to fix my hair today!"

Attitude is everything.