Stories of Faith, Hope, Joy, Love and Friendship

Man with Covid-19 was dying, then God sent a cleaner

2020-04-15T10:28:00.001+08:00

Man with Covid- 19 was dying then God sent a cleaner.

Recently, Lee was in critical condition because of Covid-19.

Here is his narration of his experience:

"It was two nights in the hospital where I didn't know whether I will make it or not.

I was under incredible pressure, was on drips and procedures.

I remember those night I was crying to the Lord to help me and supernaturally just do something that would encourage me and bring me through.

I remember the next day I had a night from hell. And you have to understand in the isolation ward when no one else can get in, when no one else, no pastor, no friend, no family members. When no one else was allowed in God sent a cleaner.

And all of a sudden the cleaner had come in, he was like a ray of sunshine.

And he began to chat to me and he asked me how I was and say to me about hanging in there.

And then we got to chatting and we got talking and he turned around and said to me that he was a missionary in Nigeria for 14 years and he began to tell me how God had saved many many souls through his ministry and just these last couple of years he'd found himself back home in Northern Ireland.

"And he's encouraging my heart and he's telling me about souls and about the love of Jesus the love of God. and I'm just sitting going wow".

When God needs to reach you He knows exactly who is the right person. And in that moment of time,it was a cleaner.

When no one else could get in, God sent a cleaner. He left that day and he says this as he stood at the door. He said, "Son, an I pray for you?", I said, "absolutely".

As he began to pray at the door he couldn't touch me. And as he was praying he began to ask God the Holy Ghost to visit me. He began to ask God to heal my body and touch my lungs. He stood at that doorway and he pleaded with God Almighty to spare my life and to continue to use me.

And then he left.

And what was incredible was, after he left, he periodically would walk past my window and give me a thumbs up. That night I remember I started to turn around. "Could it have been the prayer of a cleaner?".

As Lee's strength returned he found his appetite was also returning.

That night I began to desire a packet of prawn cocktail crisps. And I asked the lord because no one could get to me. I said , "Lord, is it possible if you could get me a packet of prawn cocktail crisps and a can of coke?".

Because that night began to turn. The next morning the cleaner came and he brought in a bag, and in that bag was two oranges, a can of coke and a packet of prawn cocktail crisps.

"Don't tell me that God doesn't know. God knows our every need he knows our every desire!".

And he just passed the bag through the door, he couldn't come in and he just said "It's just a gift from the Lord".

I sat up I ate the crisps

God is a God who is personal. And He knows the deepest desires of our hearts and He knows our needs.

I want to encourage you out there today. God knows what you need of. He knows your heart's desires. He is an incredible saviour. Never underestimate what God can do to you.

Thank you to that cleaner, you know who you are. If you ever see this, thank you for hearing the voice of God and reaching someone like me.

And for you that are saved keep your eyes upon him, turn your eyes upon Jesus. And for you who doesn't know Jesus Christ, I would encourage you lift up your eyes and look up to heaven and with a cry from your heart say " God be merciful to me, a sinner".

And Go home justified as if you have never sinned.

May God bless you and may you know the love of Jesus and the power of the Holy Ghost.

What a Saviour!.

Amen.

To see the full story visit The Ark Church Belfast

Lee is a Pastor at the church.

Run your won race and wish others well

2016-03-30T16:27:00.002+08:00

I was jogging this morning and I noticed a person about 1/2 a kilometre ahead. I could tell he was running a little slower than me and I thought, good, I shall try to catch him. I had about a kilometre before I needed to turn off. So I started running faster and faster.

Every block, I was gaining on him just a little bit. After just a few minutes I was only about 100 metres behind him, so I really picked up the pace and pushed myself. You would have thought I was running in the last leg of an Olympic competition. I was determined to catch him.

Finally, I did it! I caught and passed him. On the inside, I felt so good. "I beat him" Of course, he didn't even know we were racing. After I passed him, I realized I had been so focused on competing against him that I had missed my turn. I had gone nearly six blocks past my turn and I had to turn and go back.

Isn't that what happens in life when we focus on competing with co-workers, neighbors, friends, family, trying to outdo them or trying to prove that we are more successful or more important?

We spend our time and energy running after them and we miss out on our own paths to our given destinies. The problem with unhealthy competition is that it's a never ending cycle.

There will always be somebody ahead of you, someone with a better job, nicer car, more money in the bank, more education, a prettier wife, a more handsome husband, better behaved children, etc. But realize that "You can be the best that you can be, when you are not competing with anyone."

Some people are insecure because they pay too much attention to what others are, where others are going, wearing and driving. Take whatever you have, the height, weight and personality. Dress well and wear it proudly, you'll be blessed by it. Stay focused and live a healthy life. There is no competition in Destiny.

Run your own race and wish others well.

If you're not dead yet, you're not done yet

2016-03-30T16:24:00.001+08:00

Dear Ones -

This is a line my (73 year-old) mother said to me the other day, while she was issuing a gentle warning not to fall into the trap of letting your life get smaller as you get older.

She was talking about how frustrating she finds it that — somewhere around the age of 50 or 60 — she watched as so many of her peers stopped making goals and long-term plans for adventure and exploration in their lives. Instead, they began shutting down, and making their lives smaller, and their minds smaller, too. She got so weary of listening to them making self-deprecating jokes about how old they were, and how much their bodies hurt, and how bad their hearing and eyesight was getting... She felt they had surrendered to age far, far, far too soon. My mom said, "Nothing is more frustrating to me than listening to people who are still vital saying, 'Well, at our age, you have to be careful...'"

No. She begs to differ. As you get older, there is no more time to be careful, and no more REASON to be careful — at least as my mom sees it. Instead, this is time to seize as much life and joy and adventure and learning and novelty as you possibly can. As my mom said, "I hate seeing people slide themselves into the grave far before their time. Death will come when it comes — but it's crazy to sit around waiting for it. If you're not dead yet, you're not done yet."

My mom thinks that everyone should have a five-year plan for their lives, and also a ten-year plan, and a twenty-year plan — and that every few years you have to revisit your plans to see if your goals and aspirations have changed...and that you should never stop making these plans, even as you age. (Especially as you age!) She has shared with me the travel she wants to do in the next 20 years, and work she wants to finish, the projects she wants to begin, the cultures she wants to explore, the people she wants to enjoy, her fitness goals...

It's inspiring.

I have heard people speak of their lives as if they were finished at 30, done at 40, washed up at 50, too late to start over at 60, no more chances at 70...

But are you still here?

Then you aren't done yet.

Don't make your life smaller as the years pass. If it's time to start over, then it's time to start over. If you aren't where you planned to be, then it's time to make a new plan.

Today, I ask you all to share the most inspiring stories you know (from your own life, or the lives of others) about people who refused to be done yet, because they aren't dead yet.

Rise up, everyone, and keep rising.

We are still here. There is much to be done and enjoyed.

Let's go.

ONWARD,
LG

Woman Reunites With The Nurse Who Cared For Her After 38 Years

2015-10-04T11:46:00.000+08:00

For decades, Amanda Scarpinati held on to black-and-white photos of a nurse holding her at 3 months old.

The 1977 photos were taken at the Albany Medical Center in New York after Scarpinati fell from a couch onto a hot-steam humidifier. She suffered severe third-degree burns and her head was wrapped in thick gauze.

There, a young nurse cared for her. Black-and-white photos show her holding little Scarpinati in her arms and happily looking at her.

In the years that followed, she would undergo several surgeries and be teased by her classmates.

Growing up as a child, disfigured by the burns, I was bullied and picked on, tormented,” Scarpinati told the Associated Press. “I’d look at those pictures and talk to her, even though I didn’t know who she was. I took comfort looking at this woman who seemed so sincere, caring for me.”

Scarpinati hoped to one day find the nurse who gave her comfort through such a dire time. After 20 years of searching with no luck, Scarpinati turned to the power of social media. She shared the precious photos on her Facebook page writing, “I would love to know her name and possibly get a chance to talk to her and meet her. Please share as you never know who it could reach.”

Her post went viral and what happened next is truly heartwarming…

Angela Leary, who worked with the nurse at the hospital that year, identified her as Susan Berger.

Berger was 21 at the time and just out of college. As it turns out, the now Executive Vice President of New York’s Cazenovia College remembered Scarpinati and even held on to the same photos. Berger even spoke of the little girl she once cared for to her family and friends.

“She was very peaceful,” she said. “Usually when babies come out of surgery, they’re sleeping or crying. She was just so calm and trusting. It was amazing.”

Shortly thereafter, the two had an emotional reunion after 38 years.

“I don’t know how many nurses would be lucky enough to have something like this happen, to have someone remember you all that time,” Berger said. “I feel privileged to be the one to represent all the nurses who cared for her over the years.”

While a nurse’s work is sometimes overlooked, Scarpinati’s quest to find Susan Berger proves how important they really are. It also emphasizes the positive affect one person can have on another.

The original story can be found here: http://nurse.littlethings.com/woman-nurse-reunite-v3/?utm_source=awa&utm_medium=Facebook&utm_campaign=inspiring

Always make time for your loved ones

2015-09-12T19:08:00.000+08:00

Boy: Hi baby!! How are you? I'm so happy today!!
Girl: Wait, I'll text you later, I'm still busy with my thesis.
Boy: Can you do it later? Letter talk first.. I miss you so much baby.
Girl: I have to finish this on time, you know that.
Boy: Please baby, just this once? You can finish that tomorrow.
Girl: What???? Can't you understand this is my project!? Can't you give me time for myself?? COULD YOU PLEASE? I ALSO HAVE MY OWN LIFE..LET ME LIVE FOR MYSELF FOR ONCE! STOP TEXTING ME!
Boy: Sorry baby. I love you very very much. I'll just text you later.
Boy: Hi baby, I can't stay long not texting you. I really wanted to talk to you.. I want us to be happy again.
Boy: Hi baby, still you are not responding to my texts. How's your thesis?
Boy: Baby... Please response,I'm worried already..
Boy: Baby it's already 10pm.. It's been 2 hours but you are still not replying to my text. I miss you already...i love you so much!
Boy: Uhm baby.. I love you so much.. I'm just here for you always.. The time is near that we'll always be together..
Girl: Didn't I tell you I'll text you after I'm done with my thesis?! Can't you understand that?!?! Why is it so hard for you to get that I'm BUSY?? It's like there's no tomorrow..you are overreacting..WILL YOU JUST SLEEP??
Boy: Sorry baby.. Ok.Goodnight baby..I love you..Take care of yourself always..I'll always here to guide you..I'm just here..I'll never leave you. ......the NEXT DAY....
Girl: Baby, wake up..Sorry about what I've said last night..i was just really busy..eat your breakfast baby, I'll be going to school now..
Girl: Wake up baby, you still have classes to attend..text me when you're awake..
Girl: Hey, why until now you're not texting? It's already our lunch break..why didn't you attend your classes? Don't you have phone credits? Please text me..
Boy: He left us already..my son left me already..your boyfriend left you..he alreadyleft those who are dear to him..Did he tells you he's sick? This was the 3rd year his doctor gave him...we thought it wasn't true..Because no one can predict how long a person can
live in this world..but to our surprised, his heart didn't make it too..We tried towake him up this morning but he never responded... There was a message for you in
his phone but he wasn't able to send it.. ""Take care of yourself always, I'm happy where I am going..please, don't cry..I'm sorry I didn't tell you about my condition..i don't want
to bother you because I know how busy you are with your thesis..i don't wanna add up to your worries..I'm not sure if I'm lucky enough to still have a chance to wake up tomorrow but I'm always praying that He'll give me a chance to see you and be with you
everyday of my life..I love you so much...I regret that we didn't have a
chance to talk longer today..but I understand you..you might fail on your thesis if you won't be able to finish it..I'm really really sorry...and I love you very very much..Please, promise me you'll be strong..I'm by your side now..I'll always be here..

I wish you enough

2014-09-19T09:34:00.000+08:00

At an airport I overheard a mother and daughter in their last moments together. They had announced her plane's departure and standing near the door, she said to her daughter, "I love you, I wish you enough."
She said, "Mom, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Mom."

They kissed good-bye and she left.

She walked over toward the window where I was seated. Standing there I could see she wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on his
privacy, but she welcomed me in by asking, "Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?" "

Yes, I have," I replied. Saying that brought back memories I had of expressing my love and appreciation for all my Mom had done for me.
Recognizing that her days were limited, I took the time to tell her face to face how much she meant to me.

So I knew what this woman was experiencing.
"Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever good-bye?" I asked.

"I am old and she lives much too far away. I have challenges ahead and the reality is, her next trip back will be for my funeral, " she said.

"When you were saying good-bye I heard you say, 'I wish you enough.' May I ask what that means?" She began to smile. "That's a wish that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone."

She paused for a moment and looking up as if trying to remember it in detail, she smiled even more. "When we said 'I wish you enough,' we were
wanting the other person to have a life filled with enough good things to sustain them," she continued and then turning toward me she shared the following as if she were reciting it from memory.

"I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.
I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish enough "Hello's" to get you through the final "Good-bye.."

A love letter to Angels

2014-09-14T10:13:00.001+08:00

This article appeared on the Huffington Post on 14 May 2014. I found it very touching.

Written by: David Petersen

This has been a damn tough one to wrap the right words around. I've written overly long essays involving extensive research in far less time. Problem is, this is about the recent death of my wife of 36 years, Carolyn Jane (Sturges) Petersen. Carolyn was my fount of strength, sanity, heart and mindfulness in this warped old world and her disappearance leaves me a man cut in half. As we grew older together -- she turned 59 on the Winter Solstice and I turn 68 this month -- our bond grew ever stronger. Things were so sweet in our lives and love that recently I quipped offhand, "This can't last."

And it didn't.

A few weeks ago, with no warning signs we were attuned to detect, Carolyn's "cured" melanoma of 16 years ago returned and covertly ate her alive. After weeks of growing discomfort she attributed to "stomach cramps," C finally relented and we went to the local hospital emergency room, where she was promptly inserted into a scanning tube. Next morning an oncologist appeared to tell us that her liver was gone beyond repair; she was terminal. Carolyn, awake but with mellowing morphine at work, seemed unperturbed.

"The dogs," she looked at me, nodded knowingly and said, leaving the doctor utterly confused, "This explains it."

"Yes," I acknowledged, "they knew long before we did." Indeed, Homer and Clara's increasingly obsessive devotion to Carolyn of late was but one among many clues we had missed.

"How long?" I asked the doctor.

"Weeks. A few months, maybe."

At that point, had I been prescient, I'd have taken my wife home to fade and die in dignity. We had always promised ourselves we wouldn't die in some cold and steely hospital. But once you fall under the humming spell of the medical machine, hope and desperation impart a functional insanity that makes it all but impossible to escape. And so it was we did not argue when the doctors urged that Carolyn be air evacuated immediately to Porter Adventist Hospital in Denver, where we were assured, she would receive care from one of the best liver cancer surgeons in the country. So off she went. I followed the next day by road, in our old Toyota truck.

With that compressed background, we reach my motivation for inflicting this personal tragedy on you: This is an open love letter to Porter Adventist Hospital in general and specifically the people who staff the first-floor oncology unit.

Carolyn's room at Mercy Medical Center in Durango had been tiny, with hardly enough room for one chair and a single small window set back in a recess so that little natural light was admitted. Although clean and modern, the space was dark, claustrophobic and foreboding. In contrast, her room at Porter was downright spacious, furnished with five chairs and room enough to dance, had we been up to it. I especially appreciated the full wall of windows through which I watched the sun rise each of the nine mornings I was there, following fitful nights on a cot beside Carolyn's bed or, toward the end, in bed with her. While "bright and cheery" seems an oxymoron for a hospital room, that's just what it was.

And likewise, the medical staff. One would expect that working daily with death, as oncology specialists do, would prompt the formation of an emotional exoskeleton. Miraculously, we found that not to be so at Porter. Carolyn had been awake and characteristically engaging the first couple of days, all light and innocence even on morphine. This brief conscious prelude allowed the nursing staff to get a sense of her irresistible lovability and unflinching stoicism. Like I had years before, they all fell instantly in love. And too, at only 59, Carolyn was a generation younger than most terminal cancer patients, providing another source of "this isn't fair" empathy. But the exceptional personal compassion we saw in the Porter oncology staff was obviously resident there before we arrived. These were not mere "professional smiles" greeting us at every turn, but the real deal from real people, at times accompanied by real tears. Death-watch nurses, crying! I could name them but I won't. One sweet lady visited our room frequently every night she worked, lingering long. Assuming me to be asleep, she went about her duties, such as assuring that the morphine drip was functioning, and far beyond -- bathing my comatose wife with a cool damp cloth, turning her gently, applying ointment to eyes and lips, speaking to her quietly and lovingly throughout... and like me, weeping.

And more, including the star surgeon we had come there to avail, who was clearly grieved that he'd been unable to save my wife... and his assistant in the surgical waiting room who cheerily stayed two hours overtime, no extra pay, just to keep me company... a volunteer massage therapist, who, like two of the nurses, told me she was dedicating her life to oncology patients after having lost a loved one to cancer. And others, each and all so very special.

On Thursday morning, April 17, Carolyn died gently, having been comatose for several days, her tough little mountain-girl heart unwilling to take a hint. At my request, the palliative care team went to work clearing the way for me to take Carolyn home to Durango for a dignified cremation (on "Good" Friday) by the local family owned mortuary -- thus, alleviating what had been my greatest fear since arriving there: that my beloved would suffer the final indignity of being hauled off to some industrial big-city BBQ, leaving me forever doubtful that the ashes I received were even hers. Thanks to the passionate ladies of Porter's palliative team, my drive home with Carolyn, seven hours of scenic back roads, over the Divide from Denver to Durango, allowed me to make critical emotional accommodations. While I'll remain a man cut in half the rest of my days, had it not been for that last road trip together, that sacred private time surrounded always by nature's healing grandeur, I might not be here today. Compassion had trumped bureaucracy; something we don't dare expect from hospital staff.

We are atheists, Carolyn and me. Yet the loving care we received at Porter throughout the most stressful and disorienting week of our lives, was nothing less than a blessing -- even as the staff who so exceptionally served and comforted us are angels come to Earth.

My fondest wish is that you never have to see the inside of an oncology unit, as patient or "survivor." Yet should it come to that, give thanks for Porter Adventist Hospital -- a Godsend, pure and simply.

The Paradox of Life

2014-07-17T22:27:00.004+08:00

We have taller buildings but shorter tempers; wider freeways but narrower viewpoints; we spend more but have less; we buy more but enjoy it less; we have bigger houses and smaller families; more conveniences, yet less time; we have more degrees but less sense; more knowledge but less judgement; more experts, yet more problems; we have more gadgets but less satisfaction; more medicine, yet less wellness; we take more vitamins but see fewer results. We drink too much; smoke too much; spend too recklessly; laugh too little; drive too fast; get too angry quickly; stay up too late; get up too tired; read too seldom; watch TV too much and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values; we fly in faster planes to arrive there quicker, to do less and return sooner; we sign more contracts only to realize fewer profits; we talk too much; love too seldom and lie too often. We've learned how to make a living, but not a life; we've added years to life, not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbor. We've conquered outer space, but not inner space; we've done larger things, but not better things; we've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul; we've split the atom, but not our prejudice; we write more, but learn less; plan more, but accomplish less; we make faster planes, but longer lines; we learned to rush, but not to wait; we have more weapons, but less peace; higher incomes, but lower morals; more parties, but less fun; more food, but less appeasement; more acquaintances, but fewer friends; more effort, but less success. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but have less communication; drive smaller cars that have bigger problems; build larger factories that produce less. We've become long on quantity, but short on quality.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion; tall men, but short character; steep in profits, but shallow relationships. These are times of world peace, but domestic warfare; more leisure and less fun; higher postage, but slower mail; more kinds of food, but less nutrition. These are days of two incomes, but more divorces; these are times of fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, cartridge living, thow-away morality, one-night stands, overweight bodies and pills that do everything from cheer, to prevent, quiet or kill. It is a time when there is much in the show window and nothing in the stock room. Indeed, these are the times!

"The true author of the piece isn't George Carlin, Jeff Dickson, or the Dalai Lama, nor is he anonymous. Credit belongs to Dr. Bob Moorehead, former pastor of Seattle's Overlake Christian Church (who retired in 1998 after 29 years in that post). This essay appeared under the title "The Paradox of Our Age" in Words Aptly Spoken, Dr. Moorehead's 1995 collection of prayers, homilies, and monologues used in his sermons and radio broadcasts"

Read more at http://www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/paradox.asp#yU1epKGgtwoPgVbW.99

My Dear Girl

2014-07-08T22:12:00.000+08:00

My dear girl, the day you see I'm getting old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I'm going through. If when we talk, I repeat the same thing a thousand times, don't interrupt to say: "You said the same thing a minute ago"... Just listen, please. Try to remember the times when you were little and I would read the same story night after night until you would fall asleep.

When I don't want to take a bath, don't be mad and don't embarrass me. Remember when I had to run after you making excuses and trying to get you to take a shower when you were just a girl?

When you see how ignorant I am when it comes to new technology, give me the time to learn and don't look at me that way ... remember, honey, I patiently taught you how to do many things like eating appropriately, getting dressed, combing your hair and dealing with life's issues every day... the day you see I'm getting old, I ask you to please be patient, but most of all, try to understand what I'm going through.

If I occasionally lose track of what we're talking about, give me the time to remember, and if I can't, don't be nervous, impatient or arrogant. Just know in your heart that the most important thing for me is to be with you.

And when my old, tired legs don't let me move as quickly as before, give me your hand the same way that I offered mine to you when you first walked. When those days come, don't feel sad... just be with me, and understand me while I get to the end of my life with love. I'll cherish and thank you for the gift of time and joy we shared. With a big smile and the huge love I've always had for you, I just want to say, I love you ... my darling daughter.

Original text in Spanish and photo by Guillermo Peña.
Translation to English by Sergio Cadena

Dirty laundry

2014-01-05T08:39:00.003+08:00

A young couple moves into a new neighborhood. The next morning while they are eating breakfast, the young woman sees her neighbor hanging the wash outside. "That laundry is not very clean; she doesn't know how to wash correctly. Perhaps she needs better laundry soap." Her husband looks on, remaining silent. Every time her neighbor hangs her wash to dry, the young woman makes the same comments. A month later, the woman is surprised to see a nice clean wash on the line and says to her husband: "Look, she's finally learned how to wash correctly. I wonder who taught her this? " The husband replies, "I got up early this morning and cleaned our windows." And so it is with life... What we see when watching others depends on the clarity of the window through which we look —From Facebook: Busted Locals

The Bank Savings Passbook

2013-12-19T22:07:00.003+08:00

She married him today. At the end of the wedding party, her mother gave her a newly opened bank savings passbook, with $1000 deposited in it. She told her, "My dear daughter, take this passbook. Keep it as a record of your married life. Whenever something happy and memorable happens in your new life, put some money in. Write down what it's about next to the amount. The more memorabl e the event is, the more money you can put in. I've done the first one for you today. Do the others with your husband. When you look back after years, you will know how much happiness you've both shared.' She shared this with him after getting home. Both of them thought it was a great idea and couldn't wait to make the next deposit! This is what the passbook looked like after a while: - 7 Feb: $100, his first birthday celebration after marriage - 1 Mar: $300, she gets a salary raise - 20 Mar: $200, vacation to Bali - 15 Apr: $2000, She's pregnant! - 1 Jun: $1000, He gets the big promotion and so on... However, as the years went by, they began fighting and arguing over trivial things. They didn't talk much. They regretted that they had married the most nasty person in the world...There was no more love. One day she talked to her Mother. 'Mom, we can't stand it anymore. We have decided to divorce. I can't imagine how I decided to marry this guy!' Her mother replied, 'Sure, that's no big deal. Just do whatever you want, if you really can't stand it. But before that, do one thing. Remember the savings passbook I gave you on your wedding day? Take out all money and spend it first. You shouldn't keep any record of such a poor marriage.' She agreed with her. So she went to the bank, and was waiting in the queue to cancel the account. While she was waiting, she took a look at the passbook record. She looked, and looked, and looked. Then the memory of all the previous joyful moments came back to her. Her eyes were filled with tears. She left and went home. When she got home, she handed the passbook to him and asked him to spend the money before getting divorced. So the next day, he went to the bank, and was waiting in the queue to cancel the account. While he was waiting, he took a look at the passbook record. He looked, and looked, and looked. Then the memory of all the previous joyful moments came back to him. His eyes were filled with tears. He left and went home. He gave the passbook back to her. She found a new deposit of $5000. And a line next to the record: 'This is the day I realized how much I've loved you throughout all these years. How much happiness you've brought me.' They hugged and cried, putting the passbook back into the safe. If you like this story then from now on give a print out of this story to every couple who is getting married along with a nice notebook to record their happy times...who know you may just be able to help them !!

I am getting a Divorce!

2013-12-19T10:49:00.004+08:00

An elderly man in Oklahoma calls his son in New York and says, "I hate to ruin your day son, but I have to tell you that your mother and I are getting a divorce; 45 years of marriage... and that much misery is enough!" "Dad, what are you talking about?" the son yells. "We can't stand the sight of each other any longer," the old dad explained. "We're sick of each other, and I'm sick of talking about this, so you call your sister in Hong Kong and tell her!". Frantic, the son calls his sister, who explodes on the phone. "Like heck they're getting divorced," she shouts, "I'll take care of this." She calls her elderly father immediately, and screams at him, "You are not getting divorced. Don't do a single thing until I get there. I'm calling my brother back, and we'll both be there tomorrow. Until then, don't do a thing, you hear me?" she yelled as she hung up the phone. The old man hangs up his phone and turns to his wife. "Okay", he says, "it's all set. They're both coming for Christmas and paying their own air-fare."

A Jobless Man

2013-11-18T11:03:00.000+08:00

A jobless man applied for the position of ‘office boy’ at a very big company.

The employer interviewed him, then a test: clean the floor.

“You are hired.” – the employer said. ”Give me your email address, and I’ll send you the application to fill, as well as when you will start.”

The man replied, “I don’t have a computer, neither an email.”

“I’m sorry,” said the employer, “if you don’t have an email , you cannot have the job.”

The man left with no hope. He didn’t know what to do, with only $10 USD in his pocket.

He then decided to go to the supermarket, bought a 10 kg tomato crate, then sold the tomatoes door to door. In less than two hours, he succeeded and doubled his capital. He repeated the operation 3 times and returned home with $60 USD. The man realized that he could survive by this way, and started to go everyday earlier, and returned late. Thus, his money doubled or tripled everyday. Shortly later, he bought a cart, then a truck, and then he had his own fleet of delivery vehicles.

Five years later, the man’s company was one of the biggest food retailers. He started to plan his family’s future, and decided to have a life insurance. He called an insurance broker and chose a protection plan. When the conversation was concluded, the broker asked him his email. The man replied: “I don’t have an email.”

The broker replied curiously, “You don’t have an email, and yet have succeeded to build an empire. Do you imagine what position you could have if you had an email?”

The man paused for a while, and replied: “An office boy!”

Don’t be discouraged if something is not in your favor today. Better opportunities are always waiting ahead.

FUNNY ISN'T IT?

2013-10-25T20:58:00.003+08:00

Funny how a $10.00 bill looks so big when you take it to church, but so
small when you take it to the mall.

Funny how big an hour serving God looks and how small 60 minutes are when
spent playing golf, fishing or shopping.

Funny how long a couple of hours spent at church, but how short they are
when watching a movie.

Funny how we get thrilled when a football game goes into overtime, but we
complain when a sermon is longer than the regular time.

Funny how laborious it is to read a chapter in the Bible and how easy it is
to read 200-300 pages of a best selling novel.

Funny how we believe what newspapers say, but question what the Bible says.

Funny how people scramble to get a front seat at any game, but scramble to
get a back seat at church service.

Funny how we cannot fit a gospel meeting into our schedule with yearly
planner but we can schedule for other events at a moment's notice.

Funny how we need 2 or 3 weeks to fit a church event into our schedule, but
can adjust it for a social event at the last minute.

Funny how much difficulty some have learning a simple gospel well enough to
tell others, but how simple it is for the same people to understand and
explain gossip about someone else.

Funny how we can't think of anything to say when we pray, and don't have any
difficulty thinking of things to talk about to a friend.

Funny how we are so quick to take direction from a total stranger when we
are lost, but are hesitant to take God's direction to be found.

Funny how people are so consumed with what others think about them rather
than what God thinks about them.

Funny how so many churchgoers sing "Standing on the Promises" but all they
do is sit on the premises.

Funny how people think that they can get more accomplished in a lifetime
without God than in an hour with Him.

Funny how everyone wants to go to heaven, provided they don't have to
believe, or to think, or to say, or to do anything.

Funny how we all need to read this.

The Woodcutter

2013-10-23T21:12:00.001+08:00

Once upon a time, a very strong woodcutter asked for a job in a timber merchant and he got it. The pay was really good and so was the work condition. For thosereasons, the woodcutter was determined to do his best. His boss gave him an axe and showed him the area where he supposed to work.

The first day, the woodcutter brought 18 trees. “Congratulations,” the boss said. “Go on that way!” Very motivated by the boss words, the woodcutter tried harder the next day, but he could only bring 15 trees. The third day he tried even harder, but he could only bring 10 trees.

Day after day he was bringing less and less trees.

“I must be losing my strength”, the woodcutter thought. He went to the boss and apologized, saying that he could not understand what was going on. “When was the last time you sharpened your axe?” the boss asked. “Sharpen? I had no time to sharpen my axe. I have been very busy trying to cut trees…”

Reflection: Our lives are like that. We sometimes get so busy that we don’t take time to sharpen the “axe”. In today’s world, it seems that everyone is busier than ever, but less happy that ever. Why is that? Could it be that we have forgotten how to stay “sharp”? There’s nothing wrong with activity and hard work. But we should not get so busy that we neglect the truly important things in life, like our personal life, taking time to get close to our Creator, giving more time for our family, taking time to read etc. We all need time to relax, to think and meditate, to learn and grow. If we don’t take the time to sharpen the “axe”, we will become dull and lose our effectiveness.

The Value of A Mother's Hand

2013-08-29T21:37:00.001+08:00

One young man went to apply for a managerial position in a big company. He passed the initial interview, and now would meet the director for the final interview.

The director discovered from his CV that the youth’s academic achievements were excellent. He asked, “Did you obtain any scholarships in school?” the youth answered “no”.

” Was it your father who paid for your school fees?”

“My father passed away when I was one year old, it was my mother who paid for my school fees.” he replied.

” Where did your mother work?”

“My mother worked as clothes cleaner.”

The director requested the youth to show his hands. The youth showed a pair of hands that were smooth and perfect.

” Have you ever helped your mother wash the clothes before?”

“Never, my mother always wanted me to study and read more books. Besides, my mother can wash clothes faster than me.

The director said, “I have a request. When you go home today, go and clean your mother’s hands, and then see me tomorrow morning.

The youth felt that his chance of landing the job was high. When he went back home, he asked his mother to let him clean her hands. His mother felt strange, happy but with mixed feelings, she showed her hands to her son.

The youth cleaned his mother’s hands slowly. His tear fell as he did that. It was the first time he noticed that his mother’s hands were so wrinkled, and there were so many bruises in her hands. Some bruises were so painful that his mother winced when he touched it.

This was the first time the youth realised that it was this pair of hands that washed the clothes everyday to enable him to pay the school fees. The bruises in the mother’s hands were the price that the mother had to pay for his education, his school activities and his future.

After cleaning his mother hands, the youth quietly washed all the remaining clothes for his mother.

That night, mother and son talked for a very long time.

Next morning, the youth went to the director’s office.

The Director noticed the tears in the youth’s eyes, when he asked: “Can you tell me what have you done and learned yesterday in your house?”

The youth answered,” I cleaned my mother’s hand, and also finished cleaning all the remaining clothes’

“I know now what appreciation is. Without my mother, I would not be who I am today. By helping my mother, only now do I realize how difficult and tough it is to get something done on your own. And I have come to appreciate the importance and value of helping one’s family.

The director said, “This is what I am looking for in a manager. I want to recruit a person who can appreciate the help of others, a person who knows the sufferings of others to get things done, and a person who would not put money as his only goal in life.”

“You are hired.”

This young person worked very hard, and received the respect of his subordinates. Every employee worked diligently and worked as a team. The company’s performance improved tremendously.

A child, who has been protected and habitually given whatever he wanted, would develop an “entitlement mentality” and would always put himself first. He would be ignorant of his parent’s efforts. When he starts work, he assumes that every person must listen to him, and when he becomes a manager, he would never know the sufferings of his employees and would always blame others. For this kind of people, who may be good academically, they may be successful for a while, but eventually they would not feel a sense of achievement. They will grumble and be full of hatred and fight for more. If we are this kind of protective parents, are we really showing love or are we destroying our children instead?

You can let your child live in a big house, eat a good meal, learn piano, watch on a big screen TV. But when you are cutting grass, please let them experience it. After a meal, let them wash their plates and bowls together with their brothers and sisters. It is not because you do not have money to hire a maid, but it is because you want to love them in a right way. You want them to understand, no matter how rich their parents are, one day their hair will grow gray, same as the mother of that young person. The most important thing is your child learns how to appreciate the effort and experience the difficulty and learns the ability to work with others to get things done.

Who will take the Son?

2013-03-31T22:17:00.001+08:00

A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art. They had everything in their collection, from Picasso to Raphael.. They would often sit together and admire the great works of art. When the Vietnam conflict broke out, the son went to war. He was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier.

The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son. About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock at the door. A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands.

He said, "Sir, you don't know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life. He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly. He often talked about you, and your love for art. "The young man held out his package.

I know this isn't much. I'm not really a great artist, but I think your son would have wanted you to have this. "The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man.

He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the personality of his son in the painting. The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears. He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the picture.

"Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me. It's a gift. "The father hung the portrait over his mantle.
Every time visitors came to his home he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works he had collected.

The man died a few months later. There was to be a great auction of his paintings. Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection.

On the platform sat the painting of “The Son.” The auctioneer pounded his gavel. "We will start the bidding with this picture of The Son.” "Who will bid for this picture?" There was silence.

Then a voice in the back of the room shouted, "We want to see the famous paintings. Skip this one."

But the auctioneer persisted. "Will someone bid for this painting? Who will start the bidding? $100.00, $200.00?"

Another voice shouted angrily. "We didn't come to see this painting. We came to see the VanGoghs, the Rembrandts. Get on with the real bids!"

But still the auctioneer continued. "The Son! The Son! Who'll Take The Son?”

Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room. It was the long-time gardener of the man and his son.

" I'll give $10 for the painting. "Being a poor man, it was all he could afford. "We have $10, who will bid $20?" "Give it to him for $10. Let's see the masters." "$10 is the bid, won't someone bid $20?"

The crowd was becoming angry. They didn't want the picture of the son. They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections.

The auctioneer pounded the gavel. "Going once, twice, SOLD for $10! "A man sitting on the second row shouted, "Now let's get on with the collection!"

The auctioneer laid down his gavel. "I'm sorry, the auction is over."

”What about the paintings?" "I am sorry. When I was called to conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will. I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time.

Only the painting of “The Son” would be auctioned. Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings. The man who took the son gets everything!"

God gave His Son 2,000 years ago to die on a cruel cross. Much like the auctioneer, His message today is "The Son! The Son! Who'll Take The Son?”

"Because, you see, Whoever Takes The Son gets everything.”

~ Author Unknown ~

A Clever Gate Attendant

2013-03-31T16:33:00.003+08:00

It happened at a New York Airport. This is hilarious. I
wish I had the guts of this girl. An award should go to the United
Airlines gate agent in New York for being smart and funny, while
making her point, when confronted with a passenger who probably
deserved to fly as cargo. For all of you out there who have had to
deal with an irate customer, this one is for you.

A crowded United Airlines flight was canceled. A
single agent was re-booking a long line of inconvenienced travelers.

Suddenly, an angry passenger pushed his way to the desk. He slapped his ticket on the counter and said, "I HAVE to be on this flight and it has to be FIRST CLASS."

The agent replied, "I'm sorry, sir. I'll be happy to try
to help you, but I've got to help these folks first; and then I'm
sure we'll be able to work something out."

The passenger was unimpressed. He asked loudly, so that
the passengers behind him could hear, "DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHO I AM?"

Without hesitating, the agent smiled and grabbed her
public address microphone. "May I have your attention, please?", she began, her voice heard clearly throughout the terminal. "We have a passenger here at Gate 14 WHO DOES NOT KNOW WHO HE IS. If anyone can help him with his identity, please come to Gate 14".

With the folks behind him in line laughing hysterically,
the man glared at the United Airlines agent, gritted his teeth, and said, "F*** You!"

Without flinching, she smiled and said, "I'm sorry sir,
you'll have to get in line for that, too."

Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to
dance in the rain.

Suspended Coffee

2013-03-29T16:48:00.000+08:00

This story will warm you better than a coffee in a cold winter day:

"We enter a little coffeehouse with a friend of mine and give our order. While we're approaching our table

two people come in and they go to the counter -

'Five coffees, please. Two of them for us and three suspended'

They pay for their order, take the two and leave. I ask my friend:

'What are those 'suspended' coffees ?'

'Wait for it and you will see'

Some more people enter.

Two girls ask for one coffee each, pay and go.

The next order was for seven coffees and it was made by three lawyers - three for them and four 'suspended'.

While I still wonder what's the deal with those 'suspended' coffees I enjoy the sunny weather and the beautiful view towards the square in front of the café.

Suddenly a man dressed in shabby clothes who looks like a beggar comes in through the door and kindly asks

'Do you have a suspended coffee ?'

It's simple - people pay in advance for a coffee meant for someone who can not afford a warm beverage.

The tradition with the suspended coffees started in Naples, but it has spread all over the world and in some places you can order not only a suspended coffee, but also a sandwich or a whole meal."

We would ask everyone who reads this story to please comment "im gonna do this" and what ever else they want to say. Try to do it just once lets make a difference together . Share the story spread the word.

http://www.facebook.com/suspendedcoffees?group_id=0

Mountain Man

2013-03-24T21:21:00.000+08:00

About five decades ago, a landless farmer, Dashrath Manjhi from Gahlor Ghati of Gaya, Bihar decided to take into task the difficulties of his villagers who were almost cut off from the rest of the world by rocky hills, almost making the place impassable.

Around 1959, his wife passed away from illness and lack of immediate medical care when there was no way of taking her to the nearest medical centre over the 300 feet high hills. Heartbroken after her death, Manji alone resolved to create a pass so that no one person would have to suffer the fate that his wife did. He sold his goats to purchase chisel, rope and a hammer. This sudden change in his demeanour made him a laughing stock with people who laughed at him, calling him eccentric and crazy.

Unfazed by their remarks, Manji hammered away with consistent determination for 22 years. At the end of his arduous labour, he finally came face to face with his dream: the OTHER SIDE of the HILL! He shortened the distance from 70kms to just ONE KILOMETER, 16ft wide!

Once this task was accomplished, Dashrath Manji became known as the Mountan Man. Sadly, this amazing man breathed his last on August 18, 2007 after fighting cancer at New Delhis AII India Institute of Medical Sciences and received a proper state burial.

Dashrath Manji, a man who was mocked and ridiculed for his strong will and determination leaves behind a legacy of strong will and determination.

Some invaluable lessons to learn from this Legend:
1. Patience is the greatest virtue that leads us to success
2. Dream the impossible!
3. Attitude Matters.
4. Stay Positive.
5. Don't lose heart if people call you mad and crazy for your unique idea/thoughts.

More reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dashrath_Manjhi

A Fireman

2013-03-23T19:49:00.001+08:00

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 & 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.

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, Jesus, 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.

Loyal adopted stray attends daily mass after owner's death

2013-02-11T17:49:00.001+08:00

Jan 2013 - A heartbroken dog whose owner died two months ago is missing her so much he is attending services at the Italian church where her funeral was held, patiently waiting for her to return.

Loyal Tommy, a seven-year-old German Shepherd, belonged to Maria Margherita Lochi, 57, and had been her faithful companion after she adopted him when she found him abandoned in fields close to her home.

Mrs Lochi adopted several strays she found but friends said she developed a particular close affection for Tommy and would walk to church with him from her home every day - where the priest would allow him to sit patiently by her feet.

Following her death at San Donaci near Brindisi, a funeral service was held at which Tommy joined mourners and since then he has been a regular at the church arriving on time when the bells ring out to mark the start of services.

Father Donato Panna said:''He's there every time I celebrate Mass and is very well behaved - he doesn't make a sound, I've not heard one bark from him in all the time he has been coming in.

'He used to come to Mass with Maria and he was obviously devoted to her - I let him stay inside as he was always so well behaved and none of the other parishioners ever complained to me.

'He's still coming to Mass even after Maria's funeral, he waits patiently by the side of the altar and just sits there quietly. I didn't have the heart to throw him out - I've just recently lost my own dog so I leave him there until Mass finishes and then I let him out.

'Tommy's been adopted by everyone in the village now and he is everybody's friend. Everyone looks out for him and leaves food for him - although it would be nice to find a proper home for him.'

The story of Tommy is similar to the 2009 Hollywood blockbuster Hachiko starring Richard Gere which told of how a faithful Akita dog waited patiently for his master after he died.

It was based on the true story of a Japanese Akita called Hachiko, whose owner died in 1925 but for the next nine years he waited patiently at a railway station for his owner from where they regularly caught a train.

Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2263390/Loyal-dog-attends-mass-day-church-owners-funeral-held.html

An 87 Year Old College Student Named Rose

2013-02-06T23:23:00.000+08:00

The first day of school our professor introduced himself and challenged us to get to know someone we didn't already know.
I stood up to look around when a gentle hand touched my shoulder. I turned round to find a wrinkled, little old lady beaming up at me
with a smile that lit up her entire being.

She said, "Hi handsome. My name is Rose. I'm eighty-seven years old. Can I give you a hug?"

I laughed and enthusiastically responded, "Of course you may!" and she gave me a giant squeeze.

"Why are you in college at such a young, innocent age?" I asked.

She jokingly replied, "I'm here to meet a rich husband, get married, and have a couple of kids..."

"No seriously," I asked. I was curious what may have motivated her to be taking on this challenge at her age.

"I always dreamed of having a college education and now I'm getting one!" she told me.

After class we walked to the student union building and shared a chocolate milkshake.We became instant friends. Every day for the
next three months, we would leave class together and talk nonstop. I was always mesmerized listening to this "time machine"
as she shared her wisdom and experience with me.

Over the course of the year, Rose became a campus icon and she easily made friends wherever she went. She loved to dress up and
she reveled in the attention bestowed upon her from the other students. She was living it up.

At the end of the semester we invited Rose to speak at our football banquet. I'll never forget what she taught us. She was
introduced and stepped up to the podium.

As she began to deliver her prepared speech, she dropped her three by five cards on the floor. Frustrated and a little embarrassed she leaned into the microphone and simply said, "I'm sorry I'm so jittery. I gave up beer for Lent and this whiskey is killing me! I'll never get my speech back in order so let me just tell
you what I know."

As we laughed she cleared her throat and began, "We do not stop playing because we are old; we grow old because we stop
playing. There are only four secrets to staying young, being happy, and achieving success. You have to laugh and find humor every day.

You've got to have a dream. When you lose your dreams, you die.
We have so many people walking around who are dead and don't even know it!There is a huge difference between growing
older and growing up.

If you are nineteen years old and lie in bed for one full year and don't do one productive thing, you will turn twenty years old.

If I am eighty-seven years old and stay in bed for a year and never do anything I will turn eighty-eight.

Anybody can grow older. That doesn't take any talent or ability. The idea is to grow up by always finding opportunity in change.
Have no regrets.

The elderly usually don't have regrets for what we did, but rather for things we did not do. The only people who fear death are those
with regrets."

She concluded her speech by courageously singing "The Rose."

She challenged each of us to study the lyrics and live them out in our daily lives.

At the year's end Rose finished the college degree she had begun all those years ago. One week after graduation Rose died
peacefully in her sleep.

Over two thousand college students attended her funeral in tribute to the wonderful woman who taught by example that it's
never too late to be all you can possibly be .When you finish reading this, please send this peaceful word of advice to your friends and family, they'll really enjoy it!

These words have been passed along in loving memory of ROSE.

REMEMBER, GROWING OLDER IS MANDATORY. GROWING UP IS
OPTIONAL.

We make a Living by what we get, We make a Life by what we give.

"The Rose"

Some say love, it is a river
That drowns the tender reed.
Some say love, it is a razor
That leaves your soul to bleed.
Some say love, it is a hunger,
An endless aching need.
I say love, it is a flower,
And you its only seed.

It's the heart afraid of breaking
That never learns to dance.
It's the dream afraid of waking
That never takes the chance.
It's the one who won't be taken,
Who cannot seem to give,
And the soul afraid of dyin'
That never learns to live.

When the night has been too lonely
And the road has been too long,
And you think that love is only
For the lucky and the strong,
Just remember in the winter
Far beneath the bitter snows
Lies the seed that with the sun's love
In the spring becomes the rose.

40 years of Marriage

2013-02-04T18:02:00.003+08:00

A married couple in their early 60s are celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary in a quiet, romantic little restaurant.

Suddenly, a tiny yet beautiful fairy appeared on their table.

She said, 'For being such an exemplary married couple and for being loving to each other for all this time, I will grant you each a wish.'

The wife answered, 'Oh, I want to travel around the world with my darling husband

The fairy waved her magic wand and - poof! - two tickets for the Queen Mary II appeared in her hands.

The husband thought for a moment: 'Well, this is all very romantic, but an opportunity like this will never come again. I'm sorry my love, but my wish is to have a wife 30 years younger than me.

The wife, and the fairy, were deeply disappointed, but a wish is a wish.

So the fairy waved her magic wand and poof!...

The husband became 92 years old.

The moral of this story:

Men who are ungrateful should remember fairies are female.....

May I Please Borrow $25?

2013-02-03T10:28:00.003+08:00

A man came home from work late, tired and irritated, to find his 5-year old son waiting for him at the door.

SON: 'Daddy, may I ask you a question?'

DAD: 'Yeah sure, what it is?' replied the man.

SON: 'Daddy, how much do you make an hour?'

DAD: 'That's none of your business. Why do you ask such a thing?' the man said angrily.

SON: 'I just want to know. Please tell me, how much do you make an hour?'

DAD: 'If you must know, I make $50 an hour.'

SON: 'Oh,' the little boy replied, with his head down.

SON: 'May I please borrow $25?'

The father was furious, 'If the only reason you asked that is so you can borrow some money to buy a silly toy or some other nonsense, then you march yourself straight to your room and go to bed. Think about why you are being so selfish. I don't work hard everyday for such childish frivolities.'
The little boy quietly went to his room and shut the door.

The man sat down and started to get even angrier about the little boy's questions. How dare he ask such questions only to get some money?

After about an hour or so, the man had calmed down and started to think:

Maybe there was something he really needed to buy with that $25.00 and he really didn't ask for money very often The man went to the door of the little boy's room and opened the door.

'Are you asleep, son?' He asked.

'No daddy, I'm awake,' replied the boy.

'I've been thinking, maybe I was too hard on you earlier' said the man. 'It's been a long day and I took out my aggravation on you. Here's the $25 you asked for.'

The little boy sat straight up, smiling. 'Oh, thank you daddy!' he yelled. Then, reaching under his pillow he pulled out some crumpled up bills.

The man saw that the boy already had money and started to get angry again.

The little boy slowly counted out his money, and then looked up at his father.

'Why do you want more money if you already have some?' the father grumbled.

'Because I didn't have enough, but now I do,' the little boy replied.

'Daddy, I have $50 now. Can I buy an hour of your time? Please come home early tomorrow. I would like to have dinner with you.'

The father was crushed. He put his arms around his little son, and he begged for his forgiveness.
___
It's just a short reminder to all of you working so hard in life. We should not let time slip through our fingers without having spent some time with those who really matter to us, those close to our hearts. Do remember to share that $50 worth of your time with someone you love.

If we die tomorrow, the company that we are working for could easily replace us in a matter of hours... But the family & friends we leave behind will feel the loss for the rest of their lives.