Time of My Life

After 21 years of marriage, I discovered a new way of keeping alive the spark of love. A little while ago I had started to go out with another woman. It was really my wife' idea. "I know that you love her," she said one day, taking me by surprise.

The other woman that my wife wanted me to visit was my Mother, who had been a widow for 19 years. The demands of my work and my 3 children had made it possible to visit her only occasionally.

That night I called to invite her to go out for dinner and a movie."What's wrong, are you well?" she asked. My mother is the type of woman who suspects that a late night call or a surprise invitation is a sign of bad news.  "I thought that it would be pleasant to pass some time with you," I responded."Just the two of us,"She thought about it for a moment then said "I would like that very much."

That Friday after work, as I drove over to pick her up, I was a bit nervous.When I arrived at her house, I noticed that she too, seemed to be nervous about our date.  She waited in the door with her coat on.She had curled her hair and was wearing the dress that she had worn to celebrate her last wedding anniversary.  She smiled from a face that was as radiant as an angel's. 

"I told my friends that I was going to go out with my son, and they were impressed," she said as she got into the car."They can't wait to hear about our meeting".

We went to a restaurant that, although not elegant,was very nice and cozy. My mother took my arm as if she were the First Lady. After we sat down, I had to read the menu. Her eyes could only read large print. Half way through the entree, I lifted my eyes and saw Mom sitting there staring at me.  A nostalgic smile was on her lips.!   "It was I who used to have to read the menu when you were small," she said. "Then it's time that you relax and let me return the favor, " I responded.

During the dinner we had an agreeable conversation-nothing extraordinary but catching up on recent events of each other's life. We missed the movie. As we arrived at her house later,she said "I'll go out with you again, but only if you let me invite you," I agreed.

"How was your dinner date?" asked my wife when I got home."Very nice!"Much more so than I could have imagined," I answered.  A few days later my mother died of a massive heart attack.  It happened so suddenly that I didn't have a chance to do anything for her.Some time later, I received an envelope with a copy of a restaurant receipt from the same place mother and I had dined!  An attached note said:  "I paid this bill in advance. I was almost sure that I couldn't be there but, nevertheless, I paid for two plates - one for you and the other for your wife.  You will never know what that night meant for me.  I LOVE YOU."

At that moment, I understood the importance of saying, in time: "I LOVE YOU" and to give our loved ones the time that they deserve.  Nothing in life is more important than God and your family.  Give them the time they deserve, because these things cannot be put off to "some other time".

Forever Friends

You are my friend and that is true,

but the gift was given from me to you.

we went through moments that were good and bad,

even moments that were happy and sad...

you supported me when i was in tears,

we stuck together when we were in fear,

It is really sad that it had to be this way,

but it has reached the very last day.

miles away can't keep us apart,

Because you'll always be in my heart.

Friendship

A friend is like a flower,

a rose to be exact,

Or maybe like a brand new gate

that never comes unlatched.

A friend is like an owl,

both beautiful and wise.

Or perhaps a friend is like a ghost,

whose spirit never dies.

A friend is like a heart that goes

strong until the end.

Where would we be in this world

if we didn't have a friend.

- By Emma Guest-

Tips for Good Personality

11. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.
13. Don't over do. Keep your limits.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip.
16. Dream more while you are awake.
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your partner with his/her mistakes of the past. That will ruin your present happiness.
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present.
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra cla! ss but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.
23. Smile and laugh more.
24. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

Tips for Good Health

Health:

1. Drink plenty of water.
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar.
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants.
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm, and Empathy.
5. Make time to practice meditation, yoga, and prayer.
6. Play more games.
7. Read more books than you did in 2008.
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day.
9. Sleep for 7 hours.
10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk every day. And while you walk, smile.

Family & Strangers

You don't love someone because they're beautiful. They're beautiful because you love them. It's true you don't know what you've got until it's gone, but it's also true you don't know what you've been missing until it arrives!!!

I ran into a stranger as he passed by, Oh excuse me please" was my reply.
He said, "Please excuse me too; I wasn't watching for you."

We were very polite, this stranger and I. We went on our way and we said good-bye. But at home a different story is told, How we treat our loved ones, young and old.

Later that day, cooking the evening meal, my son stood beside me very still. When I turned, I nearly knocked him down.

"Move out of the way," I said with a frown.

He walked away, his little heart broken. I didn't realize how harshly I'd spoken. While I lay awake in bed, God's still small voice came to me and said, "While dealing with a stranger, common courtesy you use, but the children you love, you seem to abuse. Go and look on the kitchen floor, you'll find some flowers there by the door. Those are the flowers he brought for you. He picked them himself: pink, yellow and blue. He stood very quietly not to spoil the surprise, you never saw the tears that filled his little eyes."

By this time, I felt very small, and now my tears began to fall. I quietly went and knelt by his bed; "Wake up, little one, wake up," I said.

Are these the flowers you picked for me?"
He smiled, "I found 'em, out by the tree.
I picked 'em because they're pretty like you.
I knew you'd like 'em, especially the blue."
I said, "Son, I'm very sorry for the way I acted today;
I shouldn't have yelled at you that way."
He said, "Oh, Mom, that's okay. I love you anyway."
I said, "Son, I love you too, and I do like the flowers, especially the blue."

FAMILY

Are you aware that if we died tomorrow, the company that we are working for could easily replace us in a matter of days. But the family we left behind will feel the loss for the rest of their lives.

And come to think of it, we pour ourselves more into work than into our own family, an unwise investment indeed, don't you think?

Easy and Difficult

Easy is to get a place in someone's address book

Difficult is to get a place in someone's heart.

Easy is to judge the mistakes of others

Difficult is to recognize our own mistakes

Easy is to talk without thinking

Difficult is to refrain the tongue

Easy is to hurt someone who loves us.

Difficult is to heal the wound...

Easy is to forgive others

Difficult is to ask for forgiveness

Easy is to set rules.

Difficult is to follow them...

Easy is to dream every night.

Difficult is to fight for a dream...

Easy is to show victory.

Difficult is to assume defeat with dignity...

Easy is to enjoy life every day.

Difficult to give its real value...

Easy is to pray every night.

Difficult is to find God in small things...

Easy is to promise something to someone.

Difficult is to fulfill that promise...

Easy is to say we love.

Difficult is to show it every day...

Easy is to criticize others.

Difficult is to improve oneself...

Easy is to make mistakes.

Difficult is to learn from them...

Easy is to weep for a lost love.

Difficult is to take care of it so not to lose it.

Easy is to think about improving.

Difficult is to stop thinking it and put it into action...

Easy is to think bad of others

Difficult is to give them the benefit of the doubt...

Easy is to receive

Difficult is to give

Easy to read this

Difficult to follow it

Easy is keep the friendship with words

Difficult is to keep it with meanings.

The language of friendship is not words, but meanings.

How to Measure Success

To laugh often and much

To win the respect of intelligent people

and the affection of children

To earn the appreciation of honest critics

and endure the betrayal of false friends

To appreciate beauty

To find the best in others

To leave the world a bit better

whether by a healthy child,

a redeemed social condition,

or a job well done

To know even one other life has

breathed because you lived--

This is to have succeeded.

-Ralph Waldo Emerson-

Be Grateful

In life,
Someone will always be prettier,
Someone will always be smarter,
Their house will be bigger,
They will drive a better car,
Their children will be better in school
And their husband will fix more things around the house,

So..Let it go, Be Happy
Love yourself and your circumstances,
Because..

The prettiest woman in the world can have trouble in her heart,
The most highly favored woman on your job may be unable to have children,
The richest woman you know, who has the car, the house, the clothes..might be lonely..
And the words do say: If I do not have love, I have nothing.."

So, again, love yourself,
Love who you are
Look in the mirror in the morning, smile and say :
"I am too blessed to be stressed and too anointed to be disappointed"

Winners make things happen, Losers let things happen
"To the world, you might be one person, but to one person, you might be the world"

Run Through the Rain

A little girl had been shopping with her Mom in K-Mart. She must have been 6 years old, this beautiful red haired, freckle faced image of innocence. It was pouring outside. The kind of rain that gushes over the top of rain gutters, so much in a hurry to hit the earth it has no time to flow down the spout. We all stood there under the awning and just inside the door of the K-Mart.

We waited, some patiently, others irritated because nature messed up their hurried day. I am always mesmerised by rainfall. I got lost in the sound and sight of the heavens washing away the dirt and dust of the world. Memories of running, splashing so carefree as a child came pouring in as a welcome reprieve from the worries of my day.

The little voice was so sweet as it broke the hypnotic trance we were all caught in "Mom, let's run through the rain," she said.

"What?" Mom asked.

"Let 's run through the rain!" She repeated.

"No, honey. We'll wait until it slows down a bit," Mom replied.

This young child waited about another minute and repeated: "Mom, let's run through the rain,"

"We'll get soaked if we do," Mom said.


"This morning? When did I say we could run through the rain and not get wet?"

"Don't you remember? When you were talking to Daddy about his cancer, you said, 'If God can get us through this, he can get us through anything!"

The entire crowd stopped dead silent. I swear you couldn't hear anything but the rain. We all stood silently. No one came or left in the next few minutes.
Mom paused and thought for a moment about what she would say. Now some would laugh it off and scold her for being silly. Some might even ignore what was said. But this was a moment of affirmation in a young child's life. A time when innocent trust can be nurtured so that it will bloom into faith.

"Honey, you are absolutely right. Let's run through the rain. If GOD let's us get wet, well maybe we just needed washing," Mom said.

Then off they ran. We all stood watching, smiling and laughing as they darted past the cars and yes, through the puddles. They held their shopping bags over their heads just in case. They got soaked. But they were followed by a few who screamed and laughed like children all the way to their cars. And yes, I did. I ran. I got wet. I needed washing.

Circumstances or people can take away your material possessions, they can take away your money, and they can take away your health. But no one can ever take away your precious memories... So, don't forget to make time and take the opportunities to make memories everyday. To everything there is a reason and a time to every purpose under heaven.

This is to remind us of life. TAKE THE TIME TO RUN THROUGH THE RAIN. They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them, but then an entire life to forget them. Take the time to live!!!

Keep in touch with your friends, you never know when you'll need each other -- and don't forget to run in the rain!

God makes everything but unbreakable hearts.

Last Wish

In Phoenix, Arizona, a 26-year-old mother stared down at her 6 year old son, who was dying of terminal leukemia.

Although her heart was filled with sadness, she also had a strong feeling of determination.
Like any parent, she wanted her son to grow up and fulfill all his dreams. Now that was no longer possible.

The leukemia would see to that. But she still wanted her son's dream to come true.

She took her son's hand and asked, 'Billy, did you ever think about what you wanted to be once you grew up ?
Did you ever dream and wish what you would do with your life ?'

Mommy, 'I always wanted to be a fireman when I grew up.'

Mom smiled back and said, 'Let's see if we can make your wish come true.'

Later that day she went to her local fire Department in Phoenix, Arizona, where she met Fireman Bob, who had a heart as big as Phoenix.

She explained her son's final wish and asked if it might be possible to give her 6 year-old son a ride around the block on a fire engine.

Fireman Bob said, 'Look, we can do better than that. If you'll have your son ready at seven o'clock Wednesday morning, we'll make him an honorary Fireman for the whole day. He can come down to the fire station, eat with us, go out on all the fire calls, the whole nine yards !

And if you'll give us his sizes, we'll get a real fire uniform for him, with a real fire hat - not a toy -- one-with the emblem of the Phoenix Fire Department on it, a yellow slicker like we wear and rubber boots.'

'They're all manufactured right here in Phoenix, so we can get them fast.'

Three days later Fireman Bob picked up Billy, dressed him in his uniform and escorted him from his hospital bed to the waiting hook and ladder truck.

Billy got to sit on the back of the truck and help steer it back to the fire station. He was in heaven.

There were three fire calls in Phoenix that day and Billy got to go out on all three calls.
He rode in the different fire engines, the Paramedic's' van, and even the fire chief's car.
He was also videotaped for the local news program.

Having his dream come true, with all the love and attention that was lavished upon him, so deeply touched Billy, that he lived three months longer than any doctor thought possible.

One night all of his vital signs began to drop dramatically and the head nurse, who believed in the hospice concept - that no one should die alone, began to call the family members to the hospital.

Then she remembered the day Billy had spent as a Fireman, so she called the Fire Chief and asked if it would be possible to send a fireman in uniform to the hospital to be with Billy as he made his transition.

The chief replied, 'We can do better than that. We'll be there in five minutes. Will you please do me a favor ?

When you hear the sirens screaming and see the lights flashing, will you announce over the PA system that there is not a fire ?' 'It's the department coming to see one of its finest members one more time. And will you open the window to his room ?'

About five minutes later a hook and ladder truck arrived at the hospital and extended its ladder up to Billy's third floor open window ----16 fire-fighters climbed up the ladder into Billy's room !!

With his mother's permission, they hugged him and held him and told him how much they LOVED him. With his dying breath, Billy looked up at the fire chief and said, 'Chief, am I really a fireman now ?'

'Billy, you are, and The Head Chief, God, is holding your hand,' the chief said.

With those words, Billy smiled and said, 'I know, He's been holding my hand all day, and the angels have been singing.'

He closed his eyes one last time.

Women

When God was finishing creating woman, an angel came and asked :
"Why do you take so much time with that one?"

God answered: "Have you seen all the specifications that I have to meet to shape her?"

First, she must be washable but not made of plastic.
Secondly, she must have 200 moving parts which all must be replacable.
Third, She must function on all kind of food
She must be able to embrace several kids at the same time
She must be able to give a hug that can heal anything: from a bruised knee to a broken heart; and she must do these with her 2 hands.

The angel was impressed :"With only 2 hands? Impossible! And this is the standard model? This is too much work. Why don't you stop for today and finish her tomorrow?"

God replied:" I am close to finish this creation, which will near the favorite of my heart. She cures herself when she is sick and she can work 18 hours a day".

The angel came nearer and touched the 'woman': "But You have made her so soft.."

"She is soft", said God "but I have also made her strong. You can't imagine what she can endure and overcome."

The angel asks:" Can she think? "

God answered,"Not only can she think, she can also reason and negotiate".

The angel touched the woman's cheek: "This creation is leaking. You may have put too many burden on her".

"She is not leaking. Those are tears", God corrected the angel."Tears are her way of expressing her grief, her doubt, her love, her loneliness, her sufferings and her pride".

The angel was impressed.

Woman has strength that amazes man.She can handle trouble and carry heavy burden.
She holds love, happiness and has opinions.
She can smile even when she feels like screaming.
She sings even when she feels like crying.
She cries when she is happy and she laughs when she is afraid.
She fights for things that she believes in.
She stands up against injustices.
She does not take "No" for an answer when she can see a better solution.
She gives herself so that her family can thrive.
She holds her friend's hand when she is afraid
Her love is unconditionnal
She cries when her kids are victorious
She is heartbroken when someone dear died or went away
She finds strength to get on with life
She gives a kiss and a hug to heal a sad heart

However, there is one thing that is lacking with her:

She always forgets what she is worth...

Changing the Strategy

They say that one day, there was a blind man sitting on the steps of a building with a hat by his feet and a sign that read: "I am blind, please help".

A creative publicist was walking by him and stopped to observe - he only had a few coins in his hat, he dropped a few more coins in his hat and without asking for his permission took the sign, turned it around, and wrote another announcement. He placed the sign by his feet and left.

That afternoon the creative publicist returned by the blind man and noticed that his hat was full of bills and coins. The blind man recognized his footsteps and asked if it was him who had re-written his sign and he wanted to know what did he write on it?

The publicist responded: "Nothing that was not true, I just rewrote your sign differently". He smiled and went on his way. The blind man never knew but his new sign read: "TODAY IS SPRING AND I CANNOT SEE IT".

Change your strategy when something does not go your way and you'll see, it  will probably be for the best.

God's Grocery Shop

As I was walking down life's highway many years ago,
I came upon a sign that read 'Heavens Grocery Store'
When I got a little closer
the doors swung open wide...
And when I came to myself
I was already standing inside.
I saw a host of angels standing everywhere
One handed me a basket and said
"My child shop with care."
Everything a human needed was in that grocery store
And what you could not carry
you could come back for more.
First I got some Patience.
Love was in that same row.
Further down was Understanding,
you need that everywhere you go.
I got a box or two of Wisdom
and also Faith a bag or two.
And Charity of course
I would need some of that too.
And then some Strength and Courage
to help me run this race.
My basket was getting full
but I remembered I needed Grace,
And then I chose Salvation for it was free
I tried to get enough of that to do for you and me.
Then I started to go to the counter
to pay my grocery bill,
For I thought I had everything..
As I went up the aisle
I saw Prayer and put that in,
For I knew when I stepped outside
I would run into sin.
Peace and Joy were plentiful,
the last things on the shelf.
Song and Praise were hanging near
so I just helped myself.
Then I said to the angel
"Now how much do I owe?"
He smiled and said
"Just take them everywhere you go."
Again I asked "Really now,How much do I owe?"
"My child" he said, "God paid your bill a long long time ago."

Keep on Trying

Keep these concepts in mind:

You've failed many times, although you don't remember about it. 

You fell down the first time you tried to walk. You almost drowned the first time you tried to swim. .... Don't worry about failure. My suggestion to each of you: Worry about the chances you miss when you don't even try. 

- Sherman Finesilver