2001-12-01 03:47:25 --





One day a father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the firm purpose of showing his son how poor people can be. 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 can be?" the father asked."Oh Yeah" said the son."So 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 to 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." With this the boy's father was speechless. Then his son added, "Thanks dad, for showing me how poor we are." Too many times we forget what we have and concentrate on what we don't have. What is one person's worthless object is another's prized possession. It's all based on one's perspective.

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Slow Dance

Have you ever watched kids on a merry-go-round
Or listened to the rain slapping on the ground?

Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight
Or gazed at the sun into the fading night?

You better slow down, Don't dance so fast
Time is short, The music won't last

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

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

You'd better slow down, Don't dance so fast
Time is short, The music won't last

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

Ever lost touch, Let a good friendship die
Cause you never had time to call and say "Hi"?

You'd better slow down, Don't dance so fast
Time is short, The music won't last

When you run so fast to get somewhere
You miss half the fun of getting there.

When you worry and hurry through your day,
It is like an unopened gift thrown away.

Life is not a race
Do take it slower
Hear the music
Before the song is over.

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I've learned....
that when you're in love, it shows.

I've learned....
that just one person saying to me, "You've made my day!" makes my day.

I've learned....
that I feel better about myself when I make others feel better about themselves.

I've learned....
that having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world.

I've learned....
that what we have done for ourselves alone dies with us. What we have done for others and the world remains and is immortal.

I've learned....
that one sincere apology is worth more than all the roses money can buy.

I've learned....
that being kind is more important than being right.

I've learned....
that you should never say no to a gift from a child.

I've learned....
that I can always pray for someone when I don't have the strength to help him in some other way.

I've learned....
that no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.

I've learned....
that sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.

I've learned....
that simple walks with my father around the block on summer nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult.

I've learned....
that life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.

I've learned....
that money doesn't buy class.

I've learned....
that it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.

I've learned....
that once a relationship is over, if you experienced more smiles than tears, then it wasn't a waste of time.

I've learned....
that under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.

I've learned....
never to humiliate another person. Always give him an honorable way to back down or out of something and still save face.

I've learned....
that the Lord didn't do it all in one day. What makes me think I can?

I've learned....
that if you are still talking about what you did yesterday, you haven't done much today.

I've learned....
that when you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting that person continue to hurt you.

I've learned....
that the older I get, the smarter my parents become.

I've learned....
that love, not time, heals all wounds.


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I've learned that I like my teacher because she cries when we sing "Silent Night." Age 6

I've learned that you can't hide a piece of broccoli in a glass of milk. Age 7

I've learned that when I wave to people in the country, they stop what they are doing and wave back. Age 9

I've learned that just when I get my room the way I like it, Mom makes me clean it up. Age 13

I've learned that if you want to cheer yourself up, you should try cheering someone else up. Age 14

I've learned that although it's hard to admit it, I'm secretly glad my parents are strict with me. Age 15

I've learned that silent company is often more healing than words of advice. Age 24

I've learned that brushing my child's hair is one of life's great pleasures. Age 26

I've learned that wherever I go, the worlds worst drivers have followed me there. Age 29

I've learned...that if someone says something unkind about me, I must live so that no one will believe it. Age 39

I've learned that there are people who love you dearly but just don't know how to show it. Age 41

I've learned that you can make someone's day by simply sending them a little card. Age 44

I've learned that the greater a person's sense of guilt, the greater his need to cast blame on others. Age 46

I've learned that children and grandparents are natural allies. Age 47

I've learned that singing "Amazing Grace" can lift my spirits for hours. Age 49

I've learned that motel mattresses are better on the side away from the phone. Age 50

I've learned that you can tell a lot about a man by the way he handles these three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled
Christmas tree lights. Age 52

I've learned that keeping a vegetable garden is worth a medicine cabinet full of pills. Age 52

I've learned that regardless of your relationship with your parents, you miss them terribly after they die. Age 53

I've learned that making a living is not the same thing as making a life. Age 58

I've learned that if you want to do something positive for your children, try to improve your marriage. Age 61

I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance. Age 62

I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catchers mitt on both hands. You need to be able to throw something back. Age 64

I've learned that if you pursue happiness, it will elude you. But if you focus on your family, the needs of others, your work, meeting new people, and doing the very best you can, happiness will find you. Age 65

I've learned that whenever I decide something with kindness, I usually make the right decision. Age 66

I've learned that everyone can use a prayer. Age 72

I've learned that it pays to believe in miracles. And to tell the truth, I've seen several. Age 73

I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one. Age 82

I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone. People love that human touch-holding hands, a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back. Age 85

I've learned that I still have a lot to learn. Age 92


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Just For This Day

Just for this morning
I am going to smile when I see your face, and laugh when I feel like crying.

Just for this morning
I will let you wake up softly in your flannel p.j.'s and hold you until you are ready to stir.

Just for this morning,
I will let you choose what you want to wear, and I will say how beautiful you are.

Just for this morning
I will step over the laundry to pick you up, and take you to the park to play

Just for this morning
I will leave the dishes in the sink, and let you teach me how to put that puzzle together.

Just for this afternoon
I will unplug the telephone and keep the computer off, and sit with you in the garden blowing bubbles.

Just for this afternoon
I will not yell once, not even a tiny grumble when you scream and whine for the ice cream truck and I will buy you one, if he comes by.

Just for this afternoon
I wont worry about what you are going to be when you grow up, or how you might have been before your diagnosis

Just for this afternoon,
I will let you help me make cookies, and I wont stand over you. . . trying to 'fix things.

Just for this afternoon,
I will take you to McDonalds and buy us both a 'Happy Meal' So you can have two toys.

Just for this evening,
I will hold you in my arms and tell you the story of how you were born, and how much we love you

Just for this evening,
I will let you splash in the bathtub, and I wont get angry when you pour water over your sisters head.

Just for this evening
I will let you stay up late, while we sit on the porch swing and count all the stars.

Just for this evening
I will bring you glasses of water, and snuggle beside you for hours, and miss my favorite t.v. show.

Just for this evening
when I kneel down to pray, I will simply be grateful for all that I have, and not ask for anything, Except
Just one more day.


c. 1999 Sally Meyer.
(for Dhylan)

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Tidbits of Wisdom

Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends will leave footprints in your heart.

To handle yourself, use your head; To handle others, use your heart.

Anger is only one letter short of danger.

If someone betrays you once, it's his fault; if he betrays you twice, it's your fault.

Great minds discuss ideas; Average minds discuss events; Small minds discuss people.

He who loses money, loses much; He who loses a friend, loses more; He who loses faith, loses all.

Beautiful young people are acts of nature, But beautiful old people are works of art.

Learn from the mistakes of others. You can't live long enough to make them all yourself.

The tongue weighs practically nothing, But so few people can hold it.

[link] Thoughts/Life_Miracle.jpg


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