~ THE FLOOD ~
One stormy day, the river was rising, and the police were
going door to door warning everyone to evacuate because of the impending flood.
At one house, the man who lived there, a very religious fellow, told them that
he did not need their services, saying, "I will pray, and God will save me."
The river continued to rise, and the man moved all his
valuable belongings to the second floor of his house. A man in a boat,
evacuating his own house, came by and offered to save him. Again he said, "No,
no... I trust that God will save me," and went on praying.
Pretty soon the second story was flooded and the man moved
onto the roof with a few belongings. A police rescue boat came by, and they
motioned for him to get aboard. The man just shook his head, insisting, "God
will save me!"
The flood waters began to cover the top of the house as the
weather got worse, and a rescue helicopter passed by, looking for last-minute
survivors. They dropped a rope to the man, who steadfastly refused to climb
aboard, yelling, "I trust that God will save me!"
The water grew deeper, and soon the man drowned. He showed up
in Heaven, and asked to see God. "I always had faith in you, God," he said. "Why
didn't you save me???"
And God said, "I sent two boats and a helicopter. What do you
want?" (TOP)
(Back to Stories Index)
Secrets Of Life
The secret of life is to make the best
of whatever comes along,
Make every day fresh and new,
Go in search of knowledge and experience.
Let your questions and
your answers reconcile.
Do your best to remember
that the best kind of learning curve
is an educated smile.
Share your magic with the people
who share your memories.
Let your feelings run deep.
Be in touch with the people
who live in your heart.
Be a caring person who plays for keeps.
To really know what success means, earn it.
Don't rely on some elevator to get you there.
The higher the floor you want to reach,
the more important it is to take the stairs.
The easiest lessons to remember
are the ones you learn the hard way!
Appreciate the little things
that make each day
unique and special
and have a wonderful life! ~ Author Unknown
(TOP)
(Back to Stories Index)
Laugh more often!
The average child laughs 400 times a day. The typical adult?
15!
Some
friends are like a flower,
and when they finally bloom,
they wilt away
in just one day,
and sometimes just by noon.
Some
friends are like a cloudy day,
and when the sun's in sight,
it gets blocked by the grayest cloud
and day turns into night.
Some
friends are like a maple tree,
and with the slightest breeze,
the colored leaves, they all come loose
and float away with ease.
Some
friends are like a circle,
for they are always true,
I know I have a friend like that
and yes, that friend is you.
(TOP)
(Back to Stories Index)
The Cost of Raising
Children
It was recently calculated that the cost of raising a child
from birth to 18 was about $160,140 for a middle income family. Talk about
sticker shock! And that doesn't even count college tuition!
For those with kids, that figure leads to wild fantasies
about all the things we could have bought, all the places we could have
traveled, all the money we could have banked if not for the kids. For others,
that number might even confirm the decision to remain childless.
But $160,140 isn't so bad if you break it down. It translates
into $8,896.66 a year, $741.38 a month or $171.08 a week. That's a mere $24.44 a
day. Just over a dollar an hour. Still, you might think the best financial
advice says don't have children if you want to be rich. But it's just the
opposite!
There's no way to put a price tag on: Feeling a new life move
for the first time and seeing the bump of a knee rippling across your skin.
Having someone cry, "It's a boy!" or shout, "It's a girl!" then hearing the baby
wail and knowing all that matters is it's healthy. Counting all those fingers
and toes for the first time. Feeling the warmth of fat cheeks against your
breast. Cupping an entire head in the palm of your hand. Making out da-da or
ma-ma from all the cooing and gurgling.
What do you get for your $160,140? Naming rights, first,
middle and last. Glimpses of God every day. Giggles under the covers every
night. More love than your heart can hold. Butterfly kisses and Velcro hugs.
Endless wonder over rocks, ants, clouds and warm cookies. A hand to hold,
usually covered with jam. A partner for blowing bubbles, flying kites, building
sand castles and skipping down the sidewalk in the pouring rain. Someone to
laugh yourself silly with no matter what the boss said or how your stocks
performed that day.
For $160,140, you never have to grow up. You get to
fingerprint, carve pumpkins, play hide-and-seek, catch lightning bugs and never
stop believing in Santa Claus. You have an excuse to keep reading the adventures
of Tigger and Pooh, watching Saturday morning cartoons, going to Disney movies
and wishing on stars!
You get to frame rainbows, hearts and flowers under
refrigerator magnets and collect spray painted noodle wreaths for Christmas,
hand prints set in clay for Mother's Day and cards with backward letters for
Father's Day.
You get to be a hero just for retrieving a Frisbee off the
garage roof, taking the training wheels off the bike, removing a sliver, filling
the wading pool, coaxing a wad of gum out of bangs, coaching a baseball team
that never wins but always gets treated to ice cream regardless.
For $160,140, there's no greater bang for your buck. You get
a front row seat to history to witness the first step, first word, first bra,
first date, first time behind the wheel. You get to be immortal. You get another
branch added to your family tree, and if you're lucky, a long list of limbs in
your obituary called grandchildren.
You get an education in psychology, nursing, criminal
justice, communications and human sexuality no college can match. And in the
eyes of a child, you rank right up there with God.
You have the power to heal a boo-boo, scare away monsters
from under the bed, patch a broken heart, police a slumber party, ground them
forever and love them without limits, so one day they will, like you, love
without counting the cost.
Wow! Isn't that an amazing deal ?!?
- Author Unknown
(TOP)
(Back to Stories Index)
Wishing Upon A Star
I picked a star to wish upon
From all the stars above...
And closed my eyes and made a wish
To send you all my love.
So look up in the sky tonight
And find one special star...
The one that holds my wish to you
No matter where you are.
And when you see that special star
My wish will come to you...
For stars were made to wish upon
And wishes do come true! ~ Author: Unknown
(TOP)
(Back to Stories Index)
If A Child...
If a child lives with criticism,
he learns to condemn.
If a child lives with hostility,
he learns to fight.
If a child lives with ridicule,
he learns to be shy.
If a child lives with shame,
he learns to feel guilty.
If a child lives with tolerance,
he learns to be patient.
If a child lives with encouragement,
he learns to be confident.
If a child lives with praise,
he learns to appreciate.
If a child lives with fairness,
he learns justice.
If a child lives with security,
he learns to have faith.
If a child lives with approval,
he learns to like himself.
If a child lives with
acceptance and friendship,
he learns to find love in the world!
(TOP)
(Back to Stories Index)
God Knew
God knew that everyone needs
Companionship and cheer,
He knew that people need someone
whose thoughts are always near.
He knew they need someone kind
To lend a helping hand,
Someone to gladly take the time
To care and understand.
God knew that we all need someone
To share each happy day,
To be a source of courage
When troubles come our way.
Someone to be true to us
Whether near or far apart,
Someone whose love we'll always
hold
And treasure it in our hearts.
That's why God gave us friends.
Your friendship is truly God's given gift. ~ unknown (TOP)
(Back to Stories Index)
~ Yesterday's Tears ~
Yesterday's tears build a
river,
Washing the soul of its pain,
Cleansing the heart and mind
Like a gentle sweet spring
rain.
When you feel you have cried
your river
And your throat aches from
tears shed
And your mind is exhausted from
feeling
Or your heart feels as if it is
dead...
Raise your eyes to the skies
and recall
How lovely a full moon can be.
See the stars shining gently on
all,
And remember how good friends
can be.
Call that friend who you know
is there,
Waiting to help you through
pain,
The one who does not judge, but
listens,
So that you may soon love
again! - Author Unknown
(TOP)
(Back to Stories Index)
Life is a miracle!
Don't let it slip away,
Open your heart to others
Give of yourself each day.
See the beauty in everyone
Regardless of where they've been,
Some have a difficult journey
And really need a friend.
Share your gifts and talents,
Listen with your heart,
Do the things you dream about
But don't have time to start.
Pick a bouquet of flowers,
Show someone that you care,
Be gracious and forgiving,
For life's not always fair.
Hold on to your courage,
You may need it down the road,
We all have a cross to bear,
It could be a heavy load.
If you live with a loving heart,
No matter where you roam,
You may find both sun and rain,
But you'll never feel alone.
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