Heart 2 Head with AC
Hey ppl, below are some of the stories from chain letters that were sent to me. Do spend sometime reading 'em 'coz I think from these stories we can learn new things about life or just remind ourselves about us and the people around us.
Here are the subjects: -
Other inspirational words or encouragements in poster form: -
>> > Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One
of them was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon
> to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the
> room's only window. The other man had to spend all his time lying flat
> on his back. The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives
> and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military
> service, where they had been on vacation and so on. And on every
> afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would
> pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see
> outside the window. The man in the other bed began to live for those
> one-hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all
> the activity and colour of the outside world.
> The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake, the man said.
> Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model
> boats. Lovers walked arm in arm amid flowers of every colour of the
> rainbow. Grand old trees graced the landscape, and a fine view of the
> city skyline could be seen in the distance. As the man by the window
> described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side
> of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene.
> One warm afternoon, the man by the window described a parade
> passing by. Although the other man couldn't hear the band, he could
> picture it in his mind as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with
> descriptive words. Unexpectedly, an alien thought entered his head. Why
> should he have all the pleasure of seeing everything while I never get
> to see anything? It didn't seem fair. As the thought fermented, the man
> felt ashamed at first. But as the days passed by and he missed seeing
> more sights, his envy eroded into resentment and it soon turned him
> sour. He began to brood and he found himself unable to sleep. He should
> be by that window - that thought now controlled his life. Late one night
> as he lay staring at the ceiling, the man by the window began to cough.
> He was choking on the fluid in his lungs.
> The other man watched in the dimly lit room as the struggling man
> by the window groped for the button to call for help. Listening from
> across the room he never moved, never pushed his own button which would
> have brought the nurse running. In less than five minutes the coughing
> and choking stopped, along with the sound of breathing. Now there was
> only silence deathly silence. The following morning, the day nurse
> arrived to bring water for their baths.. When she found the lifeless
> body of the man by the window, she was saddened and called the hospital
> attendants to take it away - no hassle, no fuss. As soon as it seemed
> appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the
> window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure
> that he was comfortable, she left him alone. Slowly, painfully, he
> propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look. Finally, he
> would have the joy of seeing it all by himself. He
> strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside. It faced a
> blank wall. !!!!!!!!!
A love story that would touch your heart...
>> > There was once a guy who suffered from cancer... a cancer that can't be
treated. He was 18 years old and he could die anytime. All his life, he
was stuck in his house being taken cared by his mother. He never went
> outside but he was sick of staying home and wanted to go out for once.
> > So he asked his mother and she gave him permission. He walked down his
> block and found a lot of stores. He passed a CD store and looked through
> the front door for a second as he walked. He stopped and went back to
> look into the store. He saw a young girl about his age and he knew it
> was love at first sight. He opened the door and walked in, not looking
> at anything else but her. He walked closer and closer until he was
> finally at the front desk where she sat.
> > She looked up and asked "Can I help you?" She smiled and he thought it
> was the most beautiful smile he has ever seen before and wanted to kiss
> her right there.
> > He said "Uh... Yeah... Umm... I would like to buy a CD." He picked one
> out and gave her money for it. "Would you like me to wrap it for you?"
> she asked, smiling her cute smile again. He nodded and she went to the
> back.
> > She came back with the wrapped CD and gave it to him. He took it and
> walked out of the store. He went home and from then on, he went to that
> store everyday and bought a CD, and she wrapped it for him. He took the
> CD home and put it in his closet. He was still too shy to ask her out
> and he really wanted to but he couldn't. His mother found out about this
> and told him to just ask her.
> > So the next day, he took all his courage and went to the store. He
> bought a CD like he did everyday and once again she went to the back of
> the store and came back with it wrapped. He took it and when she wasn't
> looking, he left his phone number on the desk and ran out...
> > !!!RRRRRING!!!
> > The mother picked up the phone and said, "Hello?"
> > It was the girl!!! She asked for the boy and the mother started to cry
> and said, "You don't know? He passed away yesterday..."
> > The line was quiet except for the cries of the boy's mother.
> > Later in the day. the mother went into the boy's room because she
> wanted to remember him. She thought she would start by looking at his
> clothes. So she opened the closet. She was face to face with piles and
> piles and piles of unopened CDs. She was surprised to find all those CDs
> and she picked one up and sat down on the bed and she started to open
> one.
> > Inside, there was a CD and as she took it out of the wrapper, out fell a
> piece of paper. The mother picked it up and started to read it.
> > It said: Hi... I think U R really cute. Do u wanna go out with me?
> Love,
> Jacelyn
> > The mother opened another CD...
> > Again there was a piece of paper. It said: Hi... I think U R really => cute. Do u wanna go out with me?
> Love,
> Jacelyn
>> >>> >A store owner was tacking a sign above his door that read
>> >'Puppies for Sale'. These signs had a weird way of
>> >attracting children. And sure enough, a little boy
>> >appeared at the sign.
>> >>> >"How much are you gonna sell those puppies for?" he asked.
>> >The store owner replied " Anywhere from $30-$50."
>> >>> >The little boy reached into his pocket and pulled out some
>> >change. "I have $2.37, can I have a look at them?"
>> >>> >The store owner smiled and whistled and out of the kennel
>> >came a Lady, who ran down the aisle of his store followed
>> >by five teeny, tiny balls of fur. One puppy was lagging
>> >considerably behind. Immediately the little boy singled
>> >out the lagging, limping puppy and said "What's wrong with
>> >that little dog?"
>> >>> >The store owner explained that when the puppy was born,
>> >the vet had said that the puppy had no hip socket and
>> >would limp for the rest of its life. The little boy got
>> >really excited and said "That's the puppy I wanna buy!"
>> >>> >The store owner replied " No, you don't wanna buy that
>> >little dog. If you really want him, I'll give him to you."
>> >>> >The little boy got quite upset. He looked straight into
>> >the store owner's eyes, pointing his finger and said, "I
>> >don't want you to give him to me. That little dog is worth
>> >every bit as much as the other dogs and I'll pay the full
>> >price. In fact, I'll give you $2.37 now and 50 cents every
>> >month until I have him paid for."
>> >>> >The store owner countered, "You really don't want to buy
>> >this puppy. He is never gonna be able to run, jump and
>> >play like other puppies!"
>> >>> >To this the little boy reached down and rolled up his pant
>> >leg to reveal a badly twisted, crippled left leg supported
>> >by a big metal brace. He looked up at the store owner and
>> >said softly, "Well, I don't run so well myself, and the
>> >little puppy will need someone who understands."
>> >>> >IN LIFE, IT DOES NOT MATTER WHAT HAPPENS TO YOU - GOOD OR>> >BAD. IT DEPENDS ON HOW YOU TREASURE THE GOOD AND REACT TO THE BAD.>> > >> >>>
During my second month of nursing school, our professor gave us a pop quiz. I was a conscientious student and had breezed through the questions, until I read the last one:
What is the first name of the woman who cleans the school?
Surely this was some kind of joke. I had seen the cleaning woman several times. She was tall, dark-haired and in her 50s, but how would I know her name?
I handed in my paper, leaving the last question blank.
Before class ended, one student asked if the last question would count toward our quiz grade. Absolutely, said the professor. In your careers you will meet many people. All are significant. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you do is smile and say 'hello' I've never forgotten that lesson.
I also learned her name was Dorothy.
One night, at 11:30 PM, an older African American woman was standing on the side of an Alabama highway trying to endure a lashing rainstorm.
Her car had broken down and she desperately needed a ride. Soaking wet, she decided to flag down the next car. A young white man stopped to help her -generally unheard of in those conflict-filled 1960s. The man took her to safety, helped her get assistance and put her into a taxi cab.
She seemed to be in a big hurry She wrote down his address, thanked him and drove away. Seven days went by and a knock came on the man's door.
To his surprise, a giant console color TV was delivered to his home. A special note was attached.
It read:
Thank you so much for assisting me on the highway the other night. The rain drenched not only my clothes but my spirits. Then you came along. Because of you, I was able to make it to my dying husband's bedside just before he passed away. God bless you for helping me and unselfishly serving others.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Nat King Cole
Always remember those who serve
In the days when an ice cream sundae cost much less, a 10 year old boy entered a hotel coffee shop and sat at a table. A waitress put a glass of water in front of him.
How much is an ice cream sundae?
Fifty cents, replied the waitress.
The little boy pulled his hand out of his pocket and studied a number of coins in it.
How much is a dish of plain ice cream? he inquired.
Some people were now waiting for a table and the waitress was a bit impatient. Thirty-five cents, she said brusquely.
The little boy again counted the coins. I'll have the plain ice cream, he said. The waitress brought the ice cream, put the bill on the table and walked away.
The boy finished the ice cream, paid the cashier and departed.
When the waitress came back, she began wiping down the table and then swallowed hard at what she saw. There, placed neatly beside the empty dish, were two nickels and five pennies - her tip.
In ancient times, a king had a boulder placed on a roadway. Then he hid himself and watched to see if anyone would remove the huge rock. Some of the king's wealthiest merchants and courtiers came by and simply walked around it. Many loudly blamed the king for not keeping the roads clear, but none did anything about getting the big stone out of the way. Then a peasant came along carrying a load of vegetables. On approaching the boulder, the peasant laid down his burden and tried to move the stone to the side of the road.
After much pushing and straining, he finally succeeded. As the peasant picked up his load of vegetables, he noticed a purse lying in the road where the boulder had been. The purse contained many gold coins and a note from the king indicating that the gold was for the person who removed the boulder from the roadway.
The peasant learned what many others never understand. Every obstacle presents an opportunity to improve one's condition.
Many years ago, when I worked as a volunteer at Stanford Hospital, I got to know a little girl named Liz who was suffering from a rare and serious disease. Her only chance of recovery appeared to be a blood transfusion from her 5-year old brother, who had miraculously survived the same disease and had developed the antibodies, needed to combat the illness.
The doctor explained the situation to her little brother, and asked the boy if he would be willing to give his blood to his sister. I saw him hesitate for only a moment before taking a deep breath and saying, Yes, I'll do it if it will save Liz.
As the transfusion progressed, he lay in bed next to his sister and smiled, as we all did, seeing the color returning to her cheeks. Then his face grew pale and his smile faded. He looked up at the doctor and asked with a trembling voice, Will I start to die right away?
Being young, the boy had misunderstood the doctor he thought he was going to have to give his sister all of his blood.
Attitude, after all, is everything. You have 2 choices now:
Save or delete this mail from your mailbox, or
Forward it to people you cares about.
Hope you will choose No. 2.
Work like you don't need the money.
Love like you've never been hurt.
Dance like nobody's watching.
I was walking down life's highway a long time ago.
>>>One day I saw a sign that read, "HEAVEN'S GROCERY STORE".
>>>As I got a little closer, the door came open wide, and when I
>>>came to myself I was standing inside. I saw a host of ANGELS.
>>>They were standing everywhere. One handed me a basket and said,
>>>"My Child, shop with care". Everything a human needed was in
>>>that grocery store. And all you couldn't carry, you could
>>>come back the next day for more.
>>> >>> >>>>>> First, I got some PATIENCE: LOVE was in the same row.
>>>Further down was UNDERSTANDING: You need that everywhere you
>>>go. I got a box or two of WISDOM, a bag or two of FAITH. I
>>>just couldn't miss the HOLY GHOST, for it was all over the
>>>place. I stopped to get some STRENGTH, And COURAGE to help me
>>>run this race. By then my basket was getting full, But I
>>>remembered I needed some GRACE. I didn't forget SALVATION, for >>>SALVATION was free, so I tried to get enough of that to save
>>>both you and me.
>>> >>> >>>>>> >>> Then I started up to the counter to pay my grocery bill,
>>>for I thought I had everything to do the MASTER'S will. As I went
>>>up the aisle, I saw PRAYER : And I just had to put that in, for
>>>I knew when I stepped outside, I would run into sin. PEACE AND
>>>JOY were plentiful; they were last 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 smiled and said, "How much do
>>>I really owe?" He smiled again and said, "MY CHILD, GOD PAID YOUR
>>>BILL A LONG, LONG TIME AGO.">>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Indonesian Chinese women - a tragedy
>>> >> >>> >> From May 5th to May 14th over hundreds of Indonesia
>>> >Chinese women and female teenage, age between 10-55
>>> >were raped repeatedly and killed. According to
>>> >witnesses, the rioters would attack houses, rape the
>>> >younger women, burn the house, and then move on to
>>> >the next house. Girls as young as 11 were targeted,
>>> >and were often raped in front of their families by as
>>> >many as 10 men. ("Some of the rapers said, 'You must
>>> >be raped because you are Chinese and non-Muslim,"')
>>> >> >>> >> A doctor at the hospital said that she knew of at
>>> >least 400 cases of rape. In one incident 68 Chinese
>>> >women and girls were raped by groups of as many as 10
>>> >men who systematically worked through the floors of
>>> >an apartment block in a middle-class, residential
>>> >district.
>>> >> >>> >> Many of the alleged rape victims were reportedly
>>> >burned to death afterward, and survivors are
>>> >reluctant to talk for fear of reprisals.
>>> >> >>> >> >>> >> -- A student was abducted at a bus stop, taken to a
>>> >swamp near the airport and raped by four men in a
>>> >car. There was a green uniform in the car and she
>>> >asked her abductors if they were police officers. "If
>>> >you are police, you have to save me," she told them,
>>> >according to Ms. Ita. One of them answered: "No, I
>>> >have to give you a lesson. You are a woman and you
>>> >are beautiful and you are part of the Chinese."
>>> >> >>> >> -- In the midst of the riot, a group of men stopped
>>> >a city bus and forced out all the non-Chinese women.
>>> >"Then they chose the beautiful women among the
>>> >Chinese and raped them inside the bus," Sandiyawan
>>> >said. "The victims of that incident are really
>>> >depressive. They are in the hospital with their
>>> >families. They are trying to hide themselves from the
>>> >public."
>>> >> >>> >> -- A 10-year-old girl returning from school
>>> >discovered that the shop-house where her family lived
>>> >and worked had been burned. As she went in search of
>>> >her parents, she was seized by two men and raped in
>>> >front of her neighbors.
>>> >> >>> >> -- One woman, a bank officer, told a local reporter
>>> >that she was seized from the back of a motorcycle in
>>> >the middle of the riot and thrown to the ground by a
>>> >group of men. "She told me she was so hysterical and
>>> >she was so panicked that she does not remember what
>>> >happened," the reporter said. "But she showed me a
>>> >lot of bruises on her body, especially on her legs."
>>> >> >>> >> -- In an incident of public humiliation, a group of
>>> >about 15 men entered a bank where 10 ethnic Chinese
>>> >employees were taking refuge from the riot. The men
>>> >locked the door, made the women take off their
>>> >clothes and ordered them to dance. In a similar
>>> >incident during a riot in the city of Medan on May 4,
>>> >20 female students at a teachers' training college
>>> >were stopped by police officers when they tried to
>>> >flee the violence on their campus. The officers
>>> >forced them to take off their clothes and perform
>>> >calisthenics. In both cases, the women reported that
>>> >they were fondled but not raped. In another incident
>>> >of harassment during the riot in Jakarta, a number of
>>> >ethnic Chinese women were reportedly stripped and
>>> >made to swim in a pond.
>>> >> >>> >> -- Ms. Ita told of an ethnic Chinese woman who hid
>>> >in her house with her two younger sisters as the
>>> >rioters approached. About 10 men came into the house
>>> >and found the sisters on the third floor. They made
>>> >the two younger women take off their clothes and told
>>> >the older sister to stand in a corner, "because you
>>> >are too old for us."
>>> >> >>> >> Meanwhile, arsonists entered the lower floors and
>>> >set fire to the building. "After they had raped her
>>> >two sisters, the two men said to her, 'We are
>>> >finished and we are satisfied and because you are too
>>> >old and ugly we weren't interested in you.' So they
>>> >took her two sisters and pushed them to the ground
>>> >floor where there was already fire, and they were
>>> >killed.
>>> >> >>> >> "When her mother heard the news, she had a heart
>>> >attack and died," Ms. Ita said. "So now this woman is
>>> >in a psychiatric hospital. Sometimes she cries when
>>> >she tells the story and sometimes she is normal
>>> >again. That is one of the stories we have confirmed."
>>> >> >>> >> Therefore, I invite you - my friends - to take a
>>> >small part in this movement - for helping the
>>> >innocent Indonesian Chinese by forward this message
>>> >to everyone, every mailing list, every news group you
>>> >know so they can participate and our efforts would be
>>> >greater in effect. Do take a part in this movement
>>> >... they (innocent Indonesian Chinese) need our
>>> >helps. Honestly, by doing this I don't have any
>>> >intention to make this as chain letter in a negative
>>> >way, I just hope that lots of people will put more
>>> >concerns in this matter.
>>> >> >>> >> Or you can send e-mails, faxes (you can do this
>>> >with your PC and modem using Microsoft Fax, no need
>>> >of a fax machine) or letters or you can call them
>>> >directly showing your concerns and suggestion to
>>> >handle this problem more seriously to these
>>> >authorities :
>>> >> >>> >> 1.. Indonesian National Committee of Human Rights
>>> >> 2.. Department of Foreign Affairs of the Rep.
>>> >of Indonesia
>>> >> 3.. International Human Rights Watch
>>> >> 4.. Indonesian National Police
>>> >> 5.. The Embassy of the Rep. of Indonesia in
>>> >your respective country.
>>> >> (hopefully if many of us do this, Indonesian
>>> >authority and government would eventually put more
>>> >efforts and concerns on these matters)
>> >> Once upon a time, there was an island where all the feelings
>> lived:
>> Happiness, Sadness, Knowledge, and all of others including Love.
>> However, one day it was announced to the couples that the island
>> would sink, so all prepared their boats and left. Love was the
>> only one who stayed.
>> >> Love wanted to stay until it started sinking.
>> When Love was almost sinking, he decided to ask for help.
>> Richness was passing by Love in a beautiful boat. Love said,
>> "Richness, can you take me with you?"
>> Richness answered, "No, I can't. There is much gold and silver
in my boat. There is no place in here for you."
>> >> Love decided to ask Vanity who was also passing by,
"Vanity, please help me!"
>> "I can't help you Love. You are all wet and will probably damage
>> my boat," Vanity answered.
>>>> Sadness was close by so Love asked for help,
"Sadness, let me go with you."
>> "Oh...Love, I am so sad that I prefer to go alone!"
>> >> Happiness passed by Love too, but she was so happy that she did
>> not listen when Love called her!
>> >> Suddenly, there was a voice, "Come Love, I will take you." It
> was an elderly. Love became very happy that he even forgot to
> ask the name of the elderly.
>> >> When they arrived to the other side, Love asked Knowledge who
> was the elderly.
>> >> "It was Time."
>> Time? But why did Time help me?"
>> Because only Time is capable of understanding such a great
> Love."
>>> >>>A story is told about a soldier who was finally coming home after
>>>having fought in Vietnam. He called his parents from San Francisco.
>>> >>>"Mom and Dad, I'm coming home, but I've a favor to ask. I have a
>>>friend I'd like to bring home with me."
>>> >>>"Sure," they replied, "we'd love to meet him."
>>> >>>"There's something you should know," the son continued, "he was
>>>hurt pretty badly in the fighting. He stepped on a land mine and
>>>lost an arm and a leg. He has nowhere else to go, and I want him
>>>to come live with us."
>>> >>>"I'm sorry to hear that, son. Maybe we can help him find somewhere
>>>to live."
>>> >>>"No, Mom and Dad, I want him to live with us."
>>> >>>"Son," said the father, "you don't know what you're asking. Someone
>>>with such a handicap would be a terrible burden to us. We have our
>>>own lives to live, and we can't let something like this interfere
>>>with our lives. I think you should just come on home and forget
>>>about this guy. He'll find a way to live on his own."
>>> >>>At that point, the son hung up the phone. The parents heard nothing
>>>more from him. A few days later, however, they received a call
>>>from the San Francisco police. Their son died after falling from a
>>>building, they were told. The police believed it was suicide.
>>> >>>The grief-stricken parents flew to San Francisco and were taken to
>>>the city morgue to identify the body of their son. They recognized
>>>him, but to their horror they also discovered something they didn't
>>>know, their son had only one arm and one leg.
>>> >>>The parents in this story are not unlike many of us. We find it
>>>easy to love those who are good-looking or fun to have around, but
>>>we don't like people who inconvenience us or make us feel
>>>uncomfortable. We would rather stay away from people who aren't as
>>>healthy, beautiful, or smart as we are.
>>> >>>Edited from Hot Illustrations for Youth Talks by Wayne Rice.
>>>Copyright 1994 by Youth Specialties, Inc.
>>> >>>"Daddy, how much do you make an hour?"
>>>With a timid voice and idolizing eyes, the little boy greeted his
>> father as he returned from work.
>>> >>>Greatly surprised, but giving his boy a glaring look, the father
> said:
>>>"Look, sonny, not even your mother knows that. Don't bother me now,
> I'm tired."
>>> >>>"But Daddy, just tell me please! How much do you make an hour,"
> the boy insisted. The father, finally giving up, replied:
> > "Twenty dollars per hour."
>>> >>>"Okay, Daddy. Could you loan me ten dollars?" the boy asked.
> Showing his restlessness and positively disturbed, the father
> yelled:
> "So that was the reason you asked how much I earn, right? Go to
> sleep and don't bother me anymore!"
>>> >>>It was already dark and the father was meditating on what he said
> and was feeling guilty. Maybe he thought, his son wanted to buy
> something.
>>> >>>Finally, trying to ease his mind, the father went to his son's
> room.
>>>"Are you asleep, son?" asked the father.
>>>"No, Daddy. Why?" replied the boy, partially asleep.
>>>"Here's the money asked for earlier, " the father said.
>>>"Thanks, Daddy!" rejoiced the son, while putting his hand under his
> >pillow and removing some money.
>>> >>>"Now I have enough! Now I have twenty dollars!" the boy said to his
>>>father, who was gazing at his son, confused at what his son had just
>> said.
>>> >>>"Daddy, could you sell me one hour of your time?"1
>>>> Time is too precious to spend it all on work !
>>> >>>(appreciate your love ones and don't take them for granted :)
>>>About Diana and Mother Theresa ....
>>>>>>The Tale of Two Women
>>> >>>One wore a crown on earth
>>> The other received her crown in heaven
>>>>>>One was rich on earth
>>> The other laid up her riches in heaven
>>>>>>One seemed insecure on earth
>>> The other drew her security from heaven
>>> >>>One had much fame on earth
>>> The other had the applause of heaven
>>>>>>One struggled to find happiness on earth
>>> The other gave happiness to those nearest heaven
>>>>>>One found she could not please all on earth
>>> The other sought only to please her Father in heaven
>>> >>>One gave time to the needy on earth
>>> The other gave her life to demonstrate the love of heaven
>>>>>>One chose the latest styles on earth
>>> The other chose poverty for the sake of heaven
>>>>>>One had everything to give on earth
>>> The other gave everything she had for heaven
>>>>>>One was photogenic on earth
>>> The other was a picture made in heaven
>>>>>>One had a singer give tribute on earth
>>> The other caused angels to sing in heaven
>>>>>>One had her work for charity recognized on earth
>>> The other modeled for sisters of Charity the work of heaven
>>>>>>One looked for her way on earth
>>> The other found the Way of heaven
>>> >>>One attracted the limelight of earth
>>> The other attracted many to the Light of heaven
>>>>>>One tried to take her life on earth
>>> The other placed her life in the Hands of heaven
>>>>>>One was a mother of two on earth
>>> The other, not a mother, gave birth to many in heaven
>>>>>>One was a candle blown by the wind of earth
>>> The other was a torch ignited by the fire of heaven
>>>>>>One was the Queen of hearts on earth
>>> The other had the heart of the King of heaven
>>>>>>When you consider the one and the other
>>> Think not of things on earth but on the things of heaven
>>>>>>Dear Patrick,
>>>I was then an only child who had everything I could ever want. But even
>>>a pretty, spoiled and rich kid could get lonely once in a while so when
>>>Mom told me that she was pregnant, I was ecstatic. I imagined how
>>>wonderful you would be and how we'd always be together and how much you
>>>would look like me.
>>>So, when you were born, I looked at your tiny hands and feet and
>>>marveled at how beautiful you were. We took you home and I showed you
>>>proudly to my friends. They would touch you and sometimes pinch you, but
>>>you never reacted. When you were five months old, some things began to
>>>bother Mom. You seemed so unmoving and numb, and your cry sounded odd
>>>almost like a kitten's.
>>>So we brought you to many doctors. The thirteenth doctor who looked at
>>>you quietly said you have the "cryduchat" (pronounced kree-do-sha)
>>>syndrome, 'cry of the cat' in French.
>>>When I asked what that meant, he looked at me with pity and softly said,
>>>"Your brother will never walk nor talk." The doctor told us that it is a
>>>condition that afflicts one in 50,000 babies, rendering victims severely
>>>retarded. Mom was shocked and I was furious. I thought it was unfair.
>>>When we went home, Mom took you in her arms and cried. I looked at you
>>>and realized that word will get around that you're not normal. So to
>>>hold on to my popularity, I did the unthinkable ... I disowned you. 20
>>>Mom and Dad didn't know but I steeled myself not to love you as you
>>>grew. Mom and Dad showered you with love and attention and that made me
>>>bitter. And as the years passed, that bitterness turned to anger, and
>>>then hate.
>>>Mom never gave up on you. She knew she had to do it for your sake. Every
>>>time she put your toys down, you'd roll instead of crawl. I watched her
>>>heart break every time she took away your toys and strapped your tummy
>>>with foam so you couldn't roll. You'd struggle and you'd cry in that
>>>pitiful way, the cry of the kitten.
>>>But she still didn't give up.
>>>And then one day, you defied what all your doctors said -- you crawled.
>>>>>>When Mom saw this, she knew that you would eventually walk. So when you
>>=>>>were still crawling at age four , she'd put you on the grass with only
>>>your diapers on knowing that you hate the feel of the grass your skin,
>>>and smile at your discomfort. You would crawl to the sidewalk and Mom
>>>would put you back. Again and again, Mom repeated this on the lawn.
>>>Until one day, Mom saw you pull yourself up and toddle off the grass as
>>>fast as your little legs could carry you. Laughing and crying, she
>>>shouted for Dad and I to come. Dad hugged you crying openly.
>>>I watched from my bedroom window this heartbreaking scene.
>>>Over the years, Mom taught you to speak, read and write. From then on,
>>>I would sometimes see you walk outside, smell the flowers, marvel at the
>>>birds, or just smile at no one. I began to see the beauty of the world
>>>around me, the simplicity of life and the wonders of this world, through
>>>your eyes. It was then that I realized that you were my brother and no
>>>matter how much I tried to hate you, I couldn't, because I had grown to
>>>love you. During the next few days, we again became acquainted with each
>>>other. I would buy you toys and give you all the love that a sister
>>>could ever give to her brother. And you would reward me by smiling and
>>>hugging me. But I guess, you were never really meant for us.
>>>On your tenth birthday, you felt severe headaches. The doctor's
>>>diagnosis -- leukemia. Mom gasped
>>>and Dad held her, while I fought hard to keep my tears from falling. At
>>>that moment, I loved you all the more. I couldn't even bear to leave
>>>your side. Then the doctors told us that your only hope was to have a
>>>bone marrow transplant. You became the subject of a nationwide donor
>>>search. When at last we found the right match, you were too sick, and
>>>the doctor reluctantly ruled out the operations. Since then, you
>>>underwent chemotherapy and radiation.
>>>Even at the end, you continued to pursue life. Just a month before you
>>>died, you made me draw up a list of things you wanted to do when you got
>>>out of the hospital. Two days after the list was completed, you asked
>>>the doctors to send you home. There, we ate ice cream and cake, run
>>>across the grass, flew kites, went fishing, took pictures of one another
>>>and let the balloons fly. I remember the last conversation that we had.
>>>You said that if you die, and if I need of help, I could send you a note
>>>to heaven by tying it on the string any a balloon and
>>>letting it fly. When you said this, I started crying. Then you hugged
>>>me. Then again, for the last time, you got sick. That last night, you
>>>asked for water, a back rub, a cuddle. Finally, you went into seizure
>>>with tears streaming down your face.
>>>Later, at the hospital, you struggled to talk but the words wouldn't
>>>come. I know what you wanted to say. "I hear you," I whispered. And for
>>>the last time, I said, "I'll always love you and I will never forget
>>>you.Don't be afraid. You'll soon be with God in heaven."
>>>Then, with my tears flowing freely, I watched the bravest boy I had ever
>>>known finally stop breathing. Dad, Mom and I cried until I felt as if
>>>there were no more tears left. Patrick was finally gone, leaving us
>>>behind. From then on, you were my source of inspiration. You showed me
>>>how to love life and live life to the fullest.
>>>With your simplicity and honesty, you showed me a world full of love and
>>>caring. And you made me realize that the most important thing in this
>>>life is to continue loving without asking why or how and without >>setting
>>>any limit. Thank you, my little brother, for all these.
>>>Your sister,
>>>Sarah
>>>>>> "You are the light of the world.
>>> Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good
>>>deeds and praise your Father in heaven."
>>> Matthew 5:14,16
>>>"Enjoy everyday for what it is and who you share it with, for you never
>>> know when it will be gone."
>>>"Some people come into our lives and quickly go; others stay awhile and
>>> leave footprints on our hearts and we are never the same."
>>> -Winnie the Pooh-
>>>Faith is daring the soul to go beyond what the eyes can see.
>>> Kindness is the oil that takes the friction out of life.
>>>Laughter is the brush that sweeps away the cobwebs of the heart.
>>> "Only believe, only believe;
>>> All things are possible, only believe.
>>>>>>Remember to always say what you mean.
>>>>>>If you love someone, tell them.
>>>>>>Don't be afraid to express yourself.
>>>>>>Reach out and tell someone what they mean to you.
>>>>>>Because when you decide that it is the right time,
>>>>>>It might be too late.
>>>>>>Seize the day. Never have regrets.
>>>>>>And most importantly, stay close to your friends and family,
>>>>>>For they have helped make you the person that you are today
>>>>>>>>>>>>Just want to spread this message around, sometimes we are
>>>>>>too busy of our work and ignore people surrounding us.
>>>>>>Just spare some time with them when you are still able to.
>>>>>>Even a phone call or mail will warm their heart a lot.
>>>>>>Time wait for no man, don't be regret when you can do nothing.
>>>>>>Good luck to all of us.
Maybe life 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 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 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.
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.
So keep putting one foot in front of the other and taking your life day by day, there's a brighter tommorrow that's just down the road.
Dear friends,
I think this applies to friends, sometimes is not that ppl don care, is who the person really wans to talk/ tell to which person... Do you have any idea of who meant the most to you? There is this guy who loves two gals at the same time but he don't know which one he loves more. Someone taught him:
If you are happy, who you think of first? If you think of her, she is the one you love more." NO, THIS IS NOT THE WAY TO TEST THE FORMULA OF LOVE!
Ask yourself this question honestly:
"When you are sad, which gal you want to share your burden with?" If you think of that gal first, she will be the one that you love more.
However if you think of the same gal when you are happy & sad, that's the most perfect.
But if you didn't think of the same gal, I would advise you to chose the one you are willing to share your sadness with. In life, there are more sorrows than happiness. There are too many people whom you can share your happiness with, not necessary your lover. If you live your life happily, you can also enjoy it alone. Sadness, however not many people is willing to share burden with you.
If you willing to tell her your unhappiness, I am sure she got to be closest & most understanding person to you. In other words, if she only think of you when she is happy, but look for someone else when she is sad. This kind of lover is too unstable, she didn't treat you as someone she can spend the rest of her life with.
Of course, I will be very happy if I am the first person to share her happiness. But, if she is sad, I will be too willing to stay by her side & ease her pain. Only then, I will believe I hold a very important position in her heart.
If you are sad, who comes to your mind first?
Friendship is a strange thing. We find ourselves telling each other the deepest details of our lives ... things we don't even share with the families who raised us.
But what is a friend?
A confidant?
A shoulder to cry on and to listen?
A heart to feel?
A friend is all these ... and more. No matter where we met, no matter how long we've been together ... I call you friend. A word so small, yet so large in feeling, a word filled with emotion, a word overflowing with love.
Truly great things come in small packages. Once the package of friendship has been opened, it can never be closed. It is a constant book always waiting ... waiting to be read ... and enjoyed.
We may have our disagreements ...
we may have our disappointments ...
we may argue ...
we may concern one another ...
Friendship is a unique bond that lasts through all tribulations. A part of each of us goes into our friendships ... our humor ... our experiences ... our tears. Friendships are foundations ... necessary for life ... and love.Friends ... you and me ... you brought another friend and then we were three ... we started our group ... our of friends ... there is no beginning... there is no end.
Sincerely,
A friend
You know, he almost didn't see the old lady, stranded on the side of the road. But even in the dim light of day, he could see she needed help. So he pulled up in front of her Mercedes and got out. His Pontiac was still sputtering when he approached her. Even with the smile on his face, she was worried. No one had stopped to help for the last hour or so. Was he going to hurt her? He didn't look safe, he looked poor and hungry. He could see that she was frightened, standing out there in the cold. He knew how she felt. It was that chill which only fear can put in you.
He said, "I'm here to help you ma'am. Why don't you wait in the car where it's warm? By the way, my name is Bryan." Well, all she had was a flat tire, but for an old lady, that was bad enough. Bryan crawled under the car looking for a place to put the jack, skinning his knuckles a time or two. Soon he was able to change the tire. But he had to get dirty and his hands hurt. As he was tightening up the lug nuts, she rolled down the window and began to talk to him. She told him that she was from St. Louis and was only just passing through. She couldn't thank him enough for coming to her aid. Bryan just smiled as he closed her trunk. She asked him how much she owed
him. Any amount would have been all right with her. She had already imagined all the awful things that could have happened had he not stopped. Bryan never thought twice about the money just helping someone in need, and God knows there were plenty who had given him a hand in the past... He had lived his whole life that way, and it never occurred to him to act any other way. He told her that if she really wanted to pay him back, the next time she saw someone who needed help, she could give that person the assistance that they needed, and Bryan added "...and think of me".
He waited until she started her car and drove off. It had been a cold and depressing day, but he felt good as he headed for home, disappearing into the twilight.
A few miles down the road the lady saw a small cafe. She went in to grab a bite to eat, and take the chill off before she made the last leg of her trip home. It was a dingy looking restaurant. Outside were two old gas pumps. The whole scene was unfamiliar to her. The cash register was like the telephone of an out of work actor-it didn't ring much. Her waitress came over and brought a clean towel to wipe her wethair. She had a sweet smile, one that even being on her feet for the whole day couldn't erase. The lady noticed that the waitress was nearly eight months pregnant, but she never let the strain and aches change her attitude. The old lady wondered how someone who had so little could be so giving to a stranger. Then she remembered Bryan. After the lady finished her meal, and the waitress went to get change for her hundred dollar bill, the lady slipped right out the door. She was gone by the time the waitress came back. She wondered where the lady could be, then she noticed something written on the napkin under which was 4 $100 bills. There were tears in her eyes when she read what the lady wrote.
It said: "You don't owe me anything, I have been there too. Somebody once helped me out, the way I'm helping you. If you really want to pay me back, here is what you do: Do not let this chain of love end with you."
Well, there were tables to clear, sugar bowls to fill, and people to serve, but the waitress made it through another day. That night when she got home from work and climbed into bed, she was thinking about the money and what the lady had written. How could the lady have known how much she and her husband needed it? With the baby due next month, it was going to be hard. She knew how worried her husband was, and as he lay sleeping next to her, she gave him a soft kiss and whispered it's gonna be all right; I love you, Bryan."
My 2 cents' worth: What the story is trying to convey is that, you should not expect reward in any way when you help someone. Offer help in the most sincere way and somehow, you will be rewarded in the most uncanny ways. At the end of the day, at least you are happier knowing that you've reached to someone who needs it most.
Quiz
Take this quiz:
1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Brownlow trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss Australia contest.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade's worth of World Series winners.
How did you do
Not too good huh?
The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies.
Awards tarnish.
Achievements are forgotten.
Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.
Here's another quiz. See how you do on this one:
1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.
6. Name your neighbour who has helped you.
Easier? The lesson?
The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money, or the most awards. They are the ones that care.
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Last updated: Saturday, July 05, 2003 01:26:45 PM.Last updated:
