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GREAT TRUTHS ABOUT LIFE THAT LITTLE CHILDREN HAVE LEARNED:
1) No matter how hard you try, you can't baptize cats.
2) When your Mom is mad at your Dad, don't let her brush
your hair.
3) If your sister hits you, don't hit her back. They
always catch the second person.
4) You can't trust dogs to watch your food.
5) Puppies still have bad breath, even after eating a
TicTac.
6) Never hold a Dust-Buster and a cat at the same time.
7) You can't hide a piece of broccoli in a glass of milk.
8) Don't wear polka-dot underwear under white shorts.
GREAT TRUTHS ABOUT LIFE THAT ADULTS HAVE LEARNED:
1) Raising teenagers is like nailing Jell-O to a tree.
2) Families are like fudge....mostly sweet, with a few
nuts.
3) Today's mighty oak is just yesterday's nut that held
its ground.
4) My mind not only wanders; sometimes it leaves completely.
5) If you can remain calm, you just don't have all the
facts.
GREAT TRUTHS ABOUT GROWING OLD
1) Growing old is mandatory; growing up is optional.
2) Insanity is my only means of relaxation.
3) Forget the health food. I need all the preservatives
I can get.
4) You're getting old when you get the same sensation
from a rocking chair that you once got from a roller coaster.
5) One of life's mysteries is how a two pound box of
candy can make a person gain five pounds.
6) God put me on earth to accomplish a certain number
of things. Right now I am so far behind, I will live forever.
7) I finally got my head together, and my body fell apart.
8) There cannot be a crisis this week; my schedule is
already full.
9) Just when I was getting used to yesterday, along came
today.
10) Sometimes I think I understand everything, then I
regain consciousness.
11) Seen it all, done it all, can't remember most of
it.
THE FOUR STAGES OF LIFE:
1) You believe in Santa Claus.
2) You don't believe in Santa Claus.
3) You are Santa Claus
4) You look like Santa Claus (TOP)(Back to Stories Index)
My wife and I
had just finished the 150-mile trip home from our daughter's college. It was
the first time in our lives that she would be gone for any length of time. We
wondered how other people had survived it.
Later in bed, I
thought of the time I started college. My father had driven me too. We rode
in the farm truck. In the back was the trunk I had bought with money earned
by pitching hay that summer. My mother had to stay behind to keep the cattle
from getting into the crops. I, the fourth in a line of brothers, was the
first to go away to college. My mother cried, and I cried; after we were out
of sight of the farm, I began to feel jellylike and scared.
The truck was
slow, and I was glad. I didn't want to get to the city too soon. I
remembered how my father and I stopped by a stream and ate the sandwiches my
mother had prepared.
My daughter's day
was different, of course. We stopped at a classy roadside place and ordered
fried chicken. Then we went to the dormitory, and my wife talked with the
housemother. When she came back, she was wiping her eyes. It wasn't until we
were passing through the next town that she discovered our daughter had
forgotten to take out the portable radio and record player. I told her she
should have put it in the trunk with the other things, not in the back seat.
Now I heard a sob
beside me. I knew that my wife was thinking about the new kind of loneliness
before us.
My father didn't
let me stay at the dormitory. A room in a private home was cheaper and better
if a student wanted to work his way through. But I didn't have a room. My
father told me that we'd leave my trunk at a filling station. I could come
for it the next day after I had found a place to stay. We toured the town a
bit, but the traffic confused him. I said maybe I'd better go on my own.
I shook hands
with my father in the truck. For a long, haunting moment he looked straight
ahead, not saying a word, but I knew he was going to make a little speech. "I
can't tell you nothing," he finally said. "I never went to college, and none
of your brothers went to college. I can't say don't do this and do that,
because everything is different and I don't know what is going to come up. I
can't help you much with money either, but I think things will work out."
He gave me a
brand-new checkbook. "If things get pushing, write a small check. But when
you write one, send me a letter and let me know how much. There are some
things we can always sell." In four years, the total of all the checks I
wrote was less than a thousand dollars. My jobs chauffeuring a rich lady,
janitoring at the library, reading to a blind student and baby-sitting
professors' kids filled in the financial gaps.
"You know what
you want to be, and they'll tell you what to take," my father continued.
"When you get a job, be sure it's honest and work hard." I knew that soon I
would be alone in the big town, and I would be missing the furrowed ground,
cool breezes and a life where your thinking was done for you.
Then my dad
reached down beside his seat and brought out the old, dingy Bible that he had
read so often, the one he used when he wanted to look something up in a
friendly argument with one of the neighbors. I knew he would miss it. I also
knew, though, that I must take it.
He didn't tell me
to read it every morning. He just said, "This can help you if you will let
it."
Did it help? I
got through college without being a burden on my family. I have had good
earning capacity ever since.
When I finished
school, I took the Bible back to my father, but he said he wanted me to keep
it. "You will have a kid in school some day," he told me. "Let the first one
take that Bible along."
Now, too late, I
remember. It would have been so nice to have given it to my daughter when she
got out of the car. But I didn't. Things were different. I was prosperous
and my father wasn't. I had gone places. I could give her everything. My
father could give me only a battered, old Bible. I'd been able to give my
daughter what she needed.
Or had I? I
don't really believe now that I gave her half as much as my father gave me.
So the next morning I wrapped up the book and sent it to her. I wrote a
note. "This can help you," I penned, "if you will let it."
Today I said a
prayer for you. How will you touch the life of someone
today? Read the following and pass it on to others, you can help them
to think about their influence on others.
When you thought
I wasn't looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the
refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one.
When you thought I
wasn't looking, I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned
that it was good to be kind to animals.
When you
thought I wasn't looking,
I saw tears come from your eyes
and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's all right to
cry.
When you
thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make my favorite cake
for me and I learned that the little things can be the special things in
life.
When you
thought I wasn't looking, I heard you say a prayer, and I
knew there is a God I could always talk to and I learned to trust in
God.
When you
thought I wasn't looking,
I felt you kiss me good night. I
felt loved and safe.
When you
thought I wasn't looking,
I saw you make a meal and take
it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take
care of each other.
When you
thought I wasn't looking,
I saw you give of your time and
money to help people who had nothing and I learned that those who have
something should give to those who don't.
When you
thought I wasn't looking,
I saw you take care of our house
and everyone in it and I learned we have to take care of what we are
given.
When you
thought I wasn't looking,
I learned most of life's lessons
that I need to know from you--how to be a good and productive person
when I grow up.
When you
thought I wasn't looking,
I looked at you and wanted to
say, "Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't
looking."
Friends and parents are angels who lift
us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to
fly.
Life can seem ungrateful * and not
always kind.
Life can pull at your heartstrings * and play with your mind.
Life can be blissful * and happy and free.
Life can put beauty * in the things that you see.
Life can place challenges * right
at your feet.
Life can make good * of the hardships that we meet.
Life can overwhelm you * and make your head spin.
Life can reward those * determined to win.
Life can be hurtful * and not
always fair.
Life can surround you * with people who care.
Life clearly does offer * its ups and its downs.
Life's days can bring you * both smiles and frowns.
Life teaches us to take * the good with the bad.
Life is a mixture * of happy and sad.
So.....
Take the life that you have * and give it your best.
Think positive, be happy * let God do the rest.
Take the challenges * that life has laid at your feet.
Take pride and be thankful * for each one you meet.
To yourself give forgiveness * if you stumble and fall.
Take each day that is dealt you * and
give it your all.
Take the love that you're given * and return it with care.
Have faith that when needed * it will always be there.
Take time to find the beauty * in the things that you see.
Take life's simple pleasures * let
them set your heart free.
The idea here is simply * to even the score.
As you are met and faced with * Life's Tug Of War.
(TOP)(Back to Stories Index)
Maybe God wants us to meet
a few wrong people before meeting the right one so that when we
finally meet the right person, we will know how to be grateful for that
gift.
When the door of happiness
closes, another opens, but often times we look so long at the closed door
that we don't see the one which has been opened for us.
The best kind of friend is the
kind you can sit on a porch and swing with, never say a word, and then
walk away feeling like it was the best conversation you've ever
had.
It's true that we don't know
what we've got until we lose it, but it's also true that we don't know
what we've been missing until it arrives.
Giving someone all your love
is never an assurance that they'll love you back. Don't expect love in
return; just wait for it to grow in their heart but if it doesn't, be
content it grew in yours.
It takes only a minute to get
a crush on someone, an hour to like someone, and a day to love
someone, but it takes a lifetime to forget someone.
Don't go for looks; they can
deceive. Don't go for wealth; even that fades away. Go for someone who
makes you smile because it takes only a smile to make a dark day seem
bright. Find the one that makes your heart smile.
There are moments in life when
you miss someone so much that you just want to pick them from your dreams
and hug them for real.
Dream what you want to dream;
go where you want to go; be what you want to be, because you have only one
life and one chance to do all the things you want to do.
May you have enough happiness
to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep
you human, enough hope to make you happy.
Always put yourself in others'
shoes. If you feel that it hurts you, it probably hurts the other person
too.
The happiest of people don't
necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of
everything that comes along their way.
The brightest future will
always be based on a forgotten past, you can't go on well in life until
you let go of your past failures and heartaches.
When you were born, you were
crying and everyone around you was smiling. Live your life so that when
you die, you're the one who is smiling and everyone around you is
crying.
Give this message to
those people who mean something to you, to those who have touched
your life in one way or another, to those who make you smile when you
really need it, to those that make you see the brighter side of things
when you are really down, to those who you want to let know that you
appreciate their friendship. (TOP)(Back to Stories Index)
Is it morning already? I rub my eyes and get up to ready
myself for just another day.
It's just another day...I look out my window to see the sun
beaming down, caressing the Earth with its golden rays. Above, white clouds
float in the brilliant blue sky. I hear a cardinal singing to his mate as he
perches upon my back fence. And a bed of crocus open their purple heads to the
heavens in joyful thankfulness.
It's just another day. My small daughter bursts into the room,
her giggle ringing through the house as she hugs my neck tightly. Her small
hand fits into mine as she pulls me to the kitchen to show me the card she has
made. A stick figure with curly brown hair waves from the paper and beneath it,
written in purple crayon are the words, "I love you, Mommy."
It's just another day as I stand quietly and watch a handicapped
child. He struggles to get his special walker over the curb, but it won't
budge. A well-meaning teacher offers assistance, but he brushes her away. With
determination, he conquers the curb and is off to laugh and play with his
friends. I weep inside for his handicap, but I am inspired by his courage. And
I smile as I watch the children play, totally accepting their friend for who he
is, not judging him for what he lacks.
It's just another day. My son proudly presents the report he
did for school. He shares with me the hopes and dreams he holds for his
future. His curiosity and excitement are contagious as we unfold the limitless
possibilities that lay before him. I am encouraged that no dream is beyond our
reach if we want it bad enough.
It's just another day. My beloved wraps his arms around me and
surrounds me in love. I turn to look in the eyes that share my innermost
feelings. What a special friend I have. Someone who loves me for who I am.
Someone to lean on when I feel down. Someone to share my happiness. Someone to
love.
Yes, it is just another day. A day to enjoy God's gracious
beauty upon this Earth. A day to kiss the cherub cheeks of my children, and
share in their hopes and dreams. A day to learn the value of determination and
hard work. A day to learn the value of judging mankind for the quality he has,
not what he has not. A day to learn the value of love.
Yes, it's just another day, I sigh. The stars dance in the
velvet sky as a full yellow moon smiles cheerfully down. The house is quiet and
still. The only sound is the soft even breathing of my spouse. I recall the
scripture: "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in
it." (Psalm 118:24) And as I lay at the side of my soul mate I pray that God
will let me see "just another day"!
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 all 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 finally looked down the well and was
astonished at what he saw. With every shovel of dirt that hit his back, the
donkey was doing 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 did the
same thing - shook it off and took a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed
as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and trotted off!
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 is 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!
If you are having a not to great of day
and want to change your mood try thinking on these things. Take them one at a
time and reflect on them! First turn off that T.V.!
Sunshine In The Rain, Dancing In The Rain and Walking In The
Rain.
Time with friends and family.
Rainbows and Lollipops.
Chocolate Milk and Chocolate Cows with Cookies!
The God Given ability to understand and forgive.
People of who you know just brighten you with their presence and make you smile.
Unconditional Love (as in the Bible and as God Gives us).
Curling up in your bed with a good book with peace and quiet.
Singing along with the radio and doing a dance (by yourself or with that someone special). That special person could even be just you. God
created each one of us as special and unique.
Pleasant surprises and wonderful memories.
Laughing and giggling (out loud).
Long luxurious warm bubble baths.
Getting email from loved ones in distant places or even those close to you at home. (Husbands and Wives both can send email and cards of love
etc.)
Dinner out and quiet moonlit walks or drives.
Snow in December and a warm fire in the hearth.
For some of you it might be shopping and finding a bargain or going to garage sales and doing the same.
Spending time with the elderly or with children in need.
Swinging on swings, riding the merry-go-round or take a dive on a slide. There are many, many other things that
I am sure that you can think of by taking the time and just relaxing and
Thinking On These Things after a long hard day. You might even reflect with your
family - what a concept!!! (TOP)(Back to Stories Index)
Featured Music
Above You will find the Song "What A
Wonderful World" by Richard Hefner - Check Out All of his
releases and albums on
MP3.com
To listen to this song ~ please stop the player on top of
page and then start this one.
I.
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.
II. My eyes have not seen the
world as yours have; please let me explore safely. Don't restrict me
unnecessarily.
III. Housework will always be there. I'm only
little for a short time, please take time to explain things to me about this
wonderful world and do so willingly.
IV. 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.
V. 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.
VI. I need your encouragement to grow.
Please go easy on the criticism; remember, you can criticize the things I do
without criticizing me.
VII. 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 kinds of decisions that life requires of
me.
VIII. 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 to my
brother or sister.
IX. Please don't be afraid to leave for a weekend
together. Kids need vacations from parents, just as parents need vacations from
kids. Besides, it's a great way to show us kids that your marriage is very
special.
X. Please take me to Sunday School and Church or
Synagogue regularly, setting a good example for me to follow. I enjoy learning
more about God. (TOP)(Back to Stories Index)
Some people come and go in our
lives,
like passing ships, nameless faces or forgotten dreams,
never meant to be part of our lives, but they are.
Kindred spirits who come into our world,
they touch our hearts and make a difference in our lives.
They give us the gift of friendship so that we are not alone.
Friends share simple, ordinary times in our
lives,
moments that become memories that stay in our hearts forever
and we will never, ever be the same.
Thanks for making a difference in my life!
- Unknown
Once upon a time there was a
child ready to be born.
The child asked God, "They tell me you are sending me to
earth today, but how am I going to live there, being so small and helpless?"
God said, "My child, from all my many angels, I chose a
special one just for you. She will be waiting for you and will take care of
you."
The child said, "But God, here in heaven, I don't do anything else but
sing and smile, and it makes me happy."
God said, "Your angel will sing for you and smile for you,
and you will feel your angel's love, and that will make you happy."
The
child said, "And how will I understand when people talk to me, if I don't
know the language that men talk on Earth?"
God replied, "Your angel will tell you the most beautiful
and sweet words you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your
angel will teach you how to speak."
"And God," said the child, "What am I going to do when I want to talk to
you?"
God said, "Your angel will place your hands together and
will teach you how to pray, and I will hear you."
The child said, "I've heard that on earth there are bad people and many
evil things. Who will protect me?"
"Your angel will defend you," said God, "Even if it means
risking her life. You are more precious than anything to her."
The child said, "But
I will always be sad, because I will not see you anymore."
God smiled and said, "Your angel will teach you the way
for you to be good and come back to me, and through her you will know that I
am always watching over you."
Then they heard voices calling from Earth, and the child knew it was
time to go. "God," the child asked softly, "If I am about to leave now,
could you please tell me my angel's name, so I will know her?"
And God said, "Your angel's real name is of no
importance... You will call your angel:
"Mommy"." - - - Unknown
I've learned-
that you can do something in an instant
that will give you heartache for life.
I've learned-
that it's taking me a long time to
become the person I want to be.
I've learned-
that you should always leave loved ones with loving words.
It may be the last time you see them.
I've learned-
that you can keep going long after you can't.
I've learned-
that we are responsible for what we do,
no matter how we feel.
I've learned-
that either you control your
attitude or it controls you.
I've learned-
that regardless of how hot and steamy a relationship
is at first, the passion fades and there had
better be something else to take its place.
I've learned-
that heroes are the people who do what has to
be done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.
I've learned-
that money is a lousy way of keeping score.
I've learned-
that my best friend and I can do anything
or nothing and have the best time.
I've learned-
that sometimes the people you expect to kick you
when you're down will be the ones to help you get back up.
I've learned-
that sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be
angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.
I've learned-
that true friendship continues to grow, even over
the longest distance. Same goes for true love.
I've learned-
that just because someone doesn't love you the
way you want them to doesn't mean they
don't love you with all they have.
I've learned-
that maturity has more to do with what types of
experiences you've had and what you've learned
from them and less to do with how many birthdays you've celebrated.
I've learned-
that your family won't always be there for you. It may
seem funny, but people you aren't related to can take
care of you and love you and teach you to
trust people again. Families aren't biological.
I've learned-
that no matter how good a friend is, they're going
to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.
I've learned-
that it isn't always enough to be forgiven by others,
Sometimes you have to learn to forgive yourself.
I've learned-
that our background and circumstances may have
influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.
I've learned-
that just because two people argue, it doesn't
mean they don't love each other. And just
because they don't argue, it doesn't mean they do.
I've learned-
that we don't have to change friends
if we understand that friends change.
I've learned-
that you shouldn't be so eager to find out a secret,
It could change your life forever.
I've learned-
that two people can look at the exact same thing
and see something totally different.
I've learned-
that your life can be changed in a matter of minutes,
by people who don't even know you.
I've learned-
that even when you think you have no more to give,
when a friend cries out to you, you will find the strength to help.
I've learned-
that credentials on the wall do not
make you a decent human being.
I've learned-
that the people you care about most
in life are taken from you too soon.
I've learned- that you can get by on charm for about fifteen
minutes. After that, you'd better know something.
I've learned- that we are responsible for what we do, no
matter how we feel.
I've learned- that you shouldn't compare yourself to the best
that others can do.
I've learned- that you can keep going long after you think
you can't.
I've learned- that you should always leave loved ones with
loving words, because some day it will be the last time you see them.
I've learned- that sometimes the people you expect to kick
you when you're down turn out to be the ones who help you get back up.
I've learned- that money is a lousy way of keeping score.
I've learned- that sometimes when I'm angry I have the right
to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.
I've learned- that just because someone doesn't love you
the way you want them to doesn't mean they don't love you.
I've learned- that you should never tell a child that their
dreams are unlikely or outlandish. Few things are more humiliating, and what a
tragedy it would be if they believed it.
I've learned- that no matter how good a friend is, they're
going to hurt you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.
I've learned- that just because two people argue, it doesn't
mean they don't love each other, and just because they don't argue, it doesn't
mean they do.
I've learned- that sometimes it's hard to determine where to
draw the line between being nice and not hurting people's feelings, and standing
up for what you believe.
I've learned- that you shouldn't be so eager to find out a
secret. It could change your life forever.
I've learned- that no matter how bad your heart is broken, the
world doesn't stop for your grief.
I've learned- that heroes are the people who do what has to be
done when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.
I've learned- that our background and circumstances may have
influenced who we are, but we are responsible for who we become.
I've learned- that it's taking me a long time to become the
person I want to be. (- - Unknown)
A woman came out of her house and saw 3 old men
with long white beards sitting in her front yard. She did not recognize them.
She said "I don't think I know you, but you must be hungry. Please come in and
have something to eat."
"Is the man of the house home?", they asked.
"No", she replied. "He's out."
"Then we cannot come in", they replied.
In the evening when her husband came home, she told him what had happened.
"Go tell them I am home and invite them in!"
The woman went out and invited the men in.
"We do not go into a House together," they
replied.
"Why is that?" she asked.
One of the old men explained: "His name is Wealth," he said pointing to one of
his friends, and said pointing to another one, "He is Success, and I am Love."
Then he added, "Now go in and discuss with your husband which one of us you want
in your home."
The woman went in and told her husband what was said. Her husband was overjoyed.
"How nice!!", he said. "Since that is the case, let us invite Wealth. Let him
come and fill our home with wealth!"
His wife disagreed. "My dear, why don't we invite Success?" Their
daughter-in-law was listening from the other corner of the house. She jumped in
with her own suggestion: "Would it not be better to invite Love? Our home will
then be filled with love!"
"Let us heed our daughter-in-law's advice," said the husband to his wife.
"Go out and invite Love to be our guest."
The woman went out and asked the 3 old men, "Which one of you is Love? Please
come in and be our guest."
Love got up and started walking toward the house. The other 2 also got up and
followed him. Surprised, the lady asked Wealth and Success: "I only invited
Love, Why are you coming in?"
The old men replied together: "If you had invited
Wealth or Success, the other two of us would've stayed out, but since you
invited Love, wherever He goes, we go with him. Wherever there is Love, there is
also Wealth and Success!!!!!!" (Author Unknown at this time)(TOP)(Back to Stories Index)
Last Revised July 22, 2006
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