Sending You A Sandpiper... :) Shangy! >Here are the details on our Yahoo ShangyFunList: To Subscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-subscribe@yahoogroups.com To UnSubscribe send a blank email to ShangyFunList-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Group home page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShangyFunList or Web Site: http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/ShangyFunList.html Group email address: ShangyFunList@yahoogroups.com or email me here: bcrsystems@earthlink.net ================ *~* A REMINDER: PLEASE Send me sweet, interesting, funny, inspiring, family type forwards ANY TIME here... bcrsystems@earthlink.net I Need them, Love them, Use them, and Share them! THANK YOU!! AND For Facebook Users: Please Friend Me / Like Me here... http://tinyurl.com/cma6all AND For Google Plus Users: You can find me here... Shangy Bigham https://plus.google.com/106648555948034085752/posts AND Please Share This email with All Your Friends And Family! ^~^ May God SUPER BLESS You As You Do! THANK YOU! :) -<>- * NOTE: An easy way to adjust the size of print in email or any page is to hold down the Ctrl tab while moving the scroll button on the mouse. You can also use the keyboard to change the font size in your web browser or emails. Hold down the Ctrl key while pressing the + key for larger text or the - key for smaller text! ================ >-->HOT Off The 'Shangy' Press :) This super hot new page is from our friends PatDeE, Linda and LouiseA. It is sure to give you some smiles and a few laughs! These dogs just want to stay little puppies and never grow up! Also be sure to watch the funny video of some of the most clumsy dogs on the planet! ________________ '------._.------'\ \_______________\ .'| .'| .'_____________.' .| | | | | Scooby _.-. | . | | * (_.-' | | | Snacks | .| | * * | .' |______________|.' LGB Big Baby Big Dogs 2! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/bigdogs2.html --- ...LOL! So sweet and funny! Thanks my Friends! =========================================================== >-->From Heartwarmers: .-. __ / \ __ ( `'.\ /.'` ) '-._.(;;;)._.-' .-' ,`"`, '-. (__.-'/ \'-.__)/)_ \ /\ / / ) '-' | \/.-') , | .'/\'..) |\ |/ | \_) \ | | \_/ | \ / \|/ _, jgs / __/ / | _/ _.' |/__/ \ >EXPECT NOTHING by Jeannie Paslawsky My Aunt Helen celebrated her 97th Birthday on December 8, 2010. Amazing! More amazing is her life and attitude. Her parents moved to Tamaqua to a house on Railroad Street in 1918. The fourth of ten children, she spent her early years picking coal and huckleberries to help the family get through the Great Depression. She has so many warm and good memories of growing up in tough times. She shared one bed with two sisters. She saw many things including the Hindenberg blimp, just before it met its demise in New Jersey. Being on that street, she also witnessed hundreds of "Troop Trains" taking the boys off the WWII, often handing homemade treats to them through the open windows. During her young adult life, she and Uncle Pete traveled, sometimes with Aunt Josephine and Uncle Joey, visiting shrines and baseball parks around the country. Aunt Helen lost Uncle Pete to Cancer in September, 1965. I remember how brokenhearted everyone was about it. Uncle Pete was a great guy with a most generous heart and terrific funny bone. After Uncle Petsey died, she moved from their apartment back home to Gram Baddick's and her childhood home. Many people in town know her as one of the servers in her clean crisp white uniform and apron at the St. Jerome's First Holy Communion breakfast. Some of the ladies made and served the class breakfast while parents waited in the back of the gym which was decorated by none other than... Aunt Helen! Aunt Helen decorated everything and anything using just about everything and anything! I remember one centerpiece that was a styrofoam base sporting a Christmas yard scene. Strung atop was a miniature Santa Claus and sleigh. It was such a magical scene! Aunt Helen always had a ton of construction paper to use and make things. She would often sit and color with me either in a book or on a page where you would draw a picture adding sparkles if you wanted! Nobody else ever had sparkles at their house! Aunt Helen is also the only aunt who would make peanut butter and marshmallow on crackers! She also had Oreos. I asked my mom why she never made these and she explained, "I bake cookies. Why would ever you want to eat those store bought cookies?" Over the years our photos show her sitting on the floor with one or many of us kids, playing a game or quietly telling us a story, or coloring. Truly, it was more her presence that we enjoyed. Not so much what she did, but just being with her. That is the greatest lesson -- it is not about the stuff, it's about the love, attention and time that she gave us. When she turned 80, I asked her for some sage life advice. She told me, "Jeannie Marie, expect nothing! Take the word 'expect' out of your vocabulary. Then, everything nice in life will be a wonderful surprise and your will never be disappointed!" At 97, she still lives by her advice. May she live as she hopes for 100 years as we say in Polish -- "STO LAT!" -- Jeannie Paslawsky __________________________________________________ Jeannie was born and raised in the anthracite region in Tamaqua, PA, and now resides in Willow Grove. She has worked in telecommunications and was always an avid writer. She enjoys the outdoors, family times, reading, and watching non-professional sports, except for the Phillies! =========================================================== >-->From Our Friend Cloie :) '. (v) .' '( \.' ``\ BP >The Sandpiper by Robert Peterson She was six years old when I first met her on the beach near where I live. I drive to this beach, a distance of three or four miles, whenever the world begins to close in on me. She was building a sand castle or something and looked up, her eyes as blue as the sea. "Hello," she said. I answered with a nod, not really in the mood to bother with a small child. "I'm building," she said. "I see that. What is it?" I asked, not really caring. "Oh, I don't know, I just like the feel of sand." That sounds good, I thought, and slipped off my shoes. A sandpiper glided by. "That's a joy," the child said. "It's a what?" "It's a joy. My mama says sandpipers come to bring us joy." The bird went gliding down the beach. Good-bye joy, I muttered to myself, hello pain, and turned to walk on. I was depressed, my life seemed completely out of balance. "What's your name?" She wouldn't give up. "Robert," I answered. "I'm Robert Peterson." "Mine's Wendy... I'm six." "Hi, Wendy." She giggled. "You're funny," she said. In spite of my gloom, I laughed too and walked on. Her musical giggle followed me. "Come again, Mr. P," she called. "We'll have another happy day." The next few days consisted of a group of unruly Boy Scouts, PTA meetings, and an ailing mother. The sun was shining one morning as I took my hands out of the dishwater. I need a sandpiper, I said to myself, gathering up my coat. The ever-changing balm of the seashore awaited me. The breeze was chilly but I strode along, trying to recapture the serenity I needed. "Hello, Mr. P," she said. "Do you want to play?" "What did you have in mind?" I asked, with a twinge of annoyance. "I don't know. You say." "How about charades?" I asked sarcastically. The tinkling laughter burst forth again. "I don't know what that is." "Then let's just walk." Looking at her, I noticed the delicate fairness of her face. "Where do you live?" I asked. "Over there." She pointed toward a row of summer cottages. Strange, I thought, in winter. "Where do you go to school?" "I don't go to school. Mommy says we're on vacation" She chattered little girl talk as we strolled up the beach, but my mind was on other things. When I left for home, Wendy said it had been a happy day. Feeling surprisingly better, I smiled at her and agreed. Three weeks later, I rushed to my beach in a state of near panic. I was in no mood to even greet Wendy. I thought I saw her mother on the porch and felt like demanding she keep her child at home. "Look, if you don't mind," I said crossly when Wendy caught up with me, "I'd rather be alone today." She seemed unusually pale and out of breath. "Why?" she asked. I turned to her and shouted, "Because my mother died!" and thought, My God, why was I saying this to a little child? "Oh," she said quietly, "then this is a bad day." "Yes," I said, "and yesterday and the day before and -- oh, go away!" "Did it hurt?" she inquired. "Did what hurt?" I was exasperated with her, with myself. "When she died?" "Of course it hurt!" I snapped, misunderstanding, wrapped up in myself. I strode off. A month or so after that, when I next went to the beach, she wasn't there. Feeling guilty, ashamed, and admitting to myself I missed her, I went up to the cottage after my walk and knocked at the door. A drawn looking young woman with honey-colored hair opened the door. "Hello," I said, "I'm Robert Peterson. I missed your little girl today and wondered where she was." "Oh yes, Mr. Peterson, please come in. Wendy spoke of you so much. I'm afraid I allowed her to bother you. If she was a nuisance, please, accept my apologies." "Not at all --! she's a delightful child." I said, suddenly realizing that I meant what I had just said. "Wendy died last week, Mr. Peterson. She had leukemia. Maybe she didn't tell you." Struck dumb, I groped for a chair. I had to catch my breath. "She loved this beach, so when she asked to come, we couldn't say no. She seemed so much better here and had a lot of what she called happy days. But the last few weeks, she declined rapidly..." Her voice faltered, "She left something for you, if only I can find it. Could you wait a moment while I look?" I nodded stupidly, my mind racing for something to say to this lovely young woman. She handed me a smeared envelope with "MR. P" printed in bold childish letters. Inside was a drawing in bright crayon hues -- a yellow beach, a blue sea, and a brown bird. Underneath was carefully printed: A SANDPIPER TO BRING YOU JOY. Tears welled up in my eyes, and a heart that had almost forgotten to love opened wide. I took Wendy's mother in my arms. "I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry," I uttered over and over, and we wept together. The precious little picture is framed now and hangs in my study. Six words -- one for each year of her life -- that speak to me of harmony, courage, and undemanding love. A gift from a child with sea blue eyes and hair the color of sand -- who taught me the gift of love. NOTE: This is a true story sent out by Robert Peterson. It happened over 20 years ago and the incident changed his life forever. It serves as a reminder to all of us that we need to take time to enjoy living and life and each other. The price of hating other human beings is loving oneself less. Life is so complicated, the hustle and bustle of everyday traumas can make us lose focus about what is truly important or what is only a momentary setback or crisis. This week, be sure to give your loved ones an extra hug, and by all means, take a moment... even if it is only ten seconds, to stop and smell the roses. This comes from someone's heart, and is read by many and now I share it with you. May God Bless everyone who receives this! There are NO coincidences! Never brush aside anyone as insignificant. Who knows what they can teach us? I wish for you a sandpiper. --- ...Such a sweet story! Thanks Cloie! =========================================================== >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: ___ _-"_-" _-_-" _-_-" _______________________-"-"_ \ / \ / mga .--_\______________________/_--. ""--------------------------"" >Making Pancakes Six-year-old Brandon decided one Saturday morning to fix his parents some pancakes. He found a big bowl and spoon, pulled a chair to the counter,opened the cupboard and pulled out the heavy flour canister, spilling it on the floor. He scooped some of the flour into the bowl with his hands, mixed in most of a cup of milk and added some sugar, leaving a floury trail on the floor which by now had a few tracks left by his kitten. Brandon was covered with flour and getting frustrated. He wanted this to be something very good for Mom and Dad, but it was getting very bad. He didn't know what to do next, whether to put it all into the oven or on the stove and he didn't know how the stove worked!. Suddenly he saw his kitten licking from the bowl of mix and reached to push her away, knocking th e egg carton to the floor. Frantically he tried to clean up this monumental mess but slipped on the eggs, getting his pajamas white and sticky. And just then he saw Dad standing at the door. Big crocodile tears welled up in Brandon's eyes. All he'd wanted to do was something good, but he'd made a terrible mess. He was sure a scolding was coming, maybe even a spanking. But his father just watched him. Then, walking through the mess, he picked up his crying son, hugged him and loved him, getting his own pajamas white and sticky in the process! That's how God deals with us. We try to do something good in life, but it turns into a mess. Our marriage gets all sticky, we insult a friend, we can't stand our job, or our health goes sour. Sometimes we just stand there in tears because we can't think of anything else to do. That's when God picks us up and loves us and forgives us, even though some of our mess gets all over Him. But just because we might mess up, we can't stop trying to "make pancakes" for God or for others. Sooner or later we'll get it right, and then they'll be glad we tried... Please pass some of this love on to others... do all your friends know you love them? I was thinking. .. and I wondered if I had any wounds needing to be healed, friendships that need rekindling or three words needing to be said, sometimes, "I love you" can heal & bless! Remind every one of your friends that you love them. Even if you think they don't love back, you would be amazed at what those three little words, a smile, and a reminder like this can do. Just in case I haven't told you lately... I LOVE YA!!! Never stop "making pancakes"!!! -<>- .::\)`:`, .:;\/~`\``;) ,.~-----, ;;==`_ ~:;( ,,~{*}\~~--,.`. ;:== 6 6;;) ,(((((({*});~~. .\ ;;C } )' (('`)))~({*}) . \ .\ :;` `--'; >6 6`({*}))) . \~~ | `____/ ( { ))())) . .`, ____._| |_____. `--' (((())) . | / \ \__ _| | \ `-- )))))) . .| | ) \/\/\_{@} | ,-| ((((((( . | | \_ \ \ | / | / | / ))))))) .| | |\ : \ |/ | Y | (/*@@*( ' ` ) . | \ \ \_\/_/ | | / */ \ \'/ /. | \ \ |o | | \. \ |'@'| .| \ \ | ; ,'--,.,.,., \ ~*@*~. . | \ \_________._--`((,:{@}.:))_\ |~@~| . | \ ' | ((,{@}:{@}.))-----' ;/\ (, \._____________`-__((;,{@},:))_________/|{ | . ; | | | `';{@},) /`-----'\ |. | | .__/\__ | `{@};,; / / | \ \ \/ .| | / :; \ | `(@))\ / \. . | | /! | \| ';; ))_/`-'/`_`., \. | | | ! | | ';(( | | ! `_ \ .| | | ! | | )) | | ! |.\_| | |/ ! | | (/ | | ! | . | | ! | | | | ! |~~~~' >The Love Of My Life © Copyright, Barbara J. Weymouth, January 28, 2005 All Rights Reserved In 1969 I found myself recovering from a two year marriage to an abusive monster that saw me as prize to walk with on his arm instead of a living breathing human being with feelings and needs of my own. It was a very dark time for me, as I believed and still believe that when you married it is as the wedding vows say, "Till Death Do You Part". The word divorce had not been in my vocabulary, but I went through one and I survived! As part of my healing process, I joined our local U.S.O. (United Service Organization) in 1970. This was during the Vietnam War Era. I met a lot of wonderful people in the USO days. I, along with the other members provided friendly conversation, a listening ear and a warm meal for many a G.I., returning from war, shipping out, or just missing home. During this time we would have many dances and banquets to make our soldiers feel special. One of these celebrations was the Camellia Ball, held in March of 1970, at the Clunie Club House located inside McKinley Park here in Sacramento, California. In the month of March, the camellias here are just beautiful. There are many Camellia celebrations here during this time. Well, needless to say, I attended this Camellia Ball. I am a seamstress and I made the most beautiful gown. It was floor length, sleeveless, with a Teal brocade bodice, and a seafoam green crepe skirt. I had my hair done up special and Momma bought me a white faux fur cape. I felt like a princess. Little did I know that that night I would meet my soul mate, which would prove to be the love of my life. As I entered the front door, I heard beautiful music, and I saw many people; the ballroom was decorated beautifully and was entirely filled with people, but as I entered the room I saw a very handsome man turn towards me and smile and as the old song goes, "Two strangers across a crowded room". His beautiful smile, I can still remember it well today! I smiled back, and this handsome stranger came across the room to meet me. He introduced himself to me, his name was Richard Gillespie, but he said, he liked to be called Rich. After our brief introductions, he asked me to dance, and from that moment forward, I can't remember anyone else being in the ballroom. Before that night, I had never believed or thought, "love at first sight" could really happen. But let me tell you, it happened that night for us, just like in the movies. From that moment forward we were inseparable. It turned out that Rich was from Valparaiso, Indiana, and was stationed here in Sacramento, California at our Mc McClellan Air Force Base. He was an airplane mechanic and specialized in sheet metal work. He was an Airman 1st Class at the time. Rich didn't have a car at the time, but would borrow his buddy Don's whenever he could to come see me. The rest of the time we talked on the phone and wrote letters. Rich had a great personality and terrific sense of humor. I can still hear his laugh, today. I could be with him less than 10 seconds and be happy as a clam and laughing and feeling like being on cloud nine. We were even finishing each other's sentences. We always seemed to know what each other needed. He got to know my momma as I was living back home following my divorce; daddy was working out of town at the time and never met him. Rich loved teasing momma; we would take her out to eat with us and even attended my childhood friend Louie's wedding together. We had such a great time, I laughed till my sides hurt. All the pieces were falling together so beautifully for us. My broken heart was truly mending. By the time April rolled around, Rich asked me to marry him, and of course I said yes. We began making our life's plans. He soon learned that he would be shipped out to Thailand before long. We decided that we would get married when he returned from Thailand. We went car shopping as he wanted to buy a new car to leave with me while he was gone, an Oldsmobile 442. I got sick during this time and needed an expensive medical prescription, I didn't have any medical benefits yet as I had just started working for the state of California. My parents would have gladly paid for the medication for me, but Rich would have no part of that. He said it was his responsibility to take care of the woman he loved. An Airmen 1st class didn't make much money in those days, but he gladly paid for my medication. It was then that my feelings of thinking he had a heart of gold were confirmed. He would find a way to come out to the house and just sit with me till I got well. I had to continue to work as I had just started this new job. I would come home totally wiped out. He was so gentle and caring with me and truly made me feel loved and appreciated. I of course got back on my feet and we went back to going out and sharing wonderful times together. Little did I know that these wonderful times would soon be over for us. One evening Rich called me to let me know that he and his friend' Don were driving up to Lake Tahoe for the evening. I was a little put out that he didn't ask me to go with them, but accepted it and he said he would call me when he returned. It was payday, and I had no idea what he had planned for this trip. The next morning I received a call that would break my heart and change my life forever. The call was from his friend Don. He was calling from a hospital near Truckee, California. He and Rich had been hit head on, by a drunk driver as they were returning to Sacramento. Rich didn't make it. I thought my whole world would come to an end. I remember saying, NO, NO, NO, this can't be happening. When I calmed down, Don told me that he had won enough money at Lake Tahoe to buy my engagement ring; he planned to give it to me on my birthday, April 19th. That had been his plan and that is why he hadn't invited me to come along. I was overwhelmed with grief and pain, I didn't want to eat, I would just lie on the couch and cry and wanted to die too so I could be with him. Momma grew very worried about me; she finally called the minister from the Christian church I was attending at the time. He came and he prayed with me and read scripture to me, and for the first time in two weeks I felt that I would be able to go on. Even though we had only two short months together and never realized our hopes and dreams for the future; I know I was truly loved, and truly met my "soul mate". The last thing he did in this world he did for me, I will keep that in my heart forever! © Copyright, Barbara J. Weymouth, January 28, 2005 All Rights Reserved About the Author, Barbara J. Weymouth: I was born and raised in Sacramento, California. I am a Christian and a divorced mother of one son, Eric, who is married to my Daughter-In-Law, Dawn. They have given me two beautiful gifts from God I call my grandchildren. They call me Nana. I have one very spoiled Staffordshire bull terrier named, Rosie, who doesn't know she's a dog, shhhh! I have worked in public education for 25 years. After 22 of them I decided to become an Adult Education, Vocational Teacher. It has been the realization of a life long dream. I enjoy gardening, desktop publishing, writing true-life short stories and poetry and web page design. I am blessed, truly beyond measure! -<>- >Links for Your Enjoyment: I Believe...- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/believe.html I Believe In You!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/ibelieveinyou.html Miracle In Utah!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/utah.html Lighthouses Of The World!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/lighthouses.html God's Night Lights!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/night.html Attitude Is Everything!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/attitude.html Proud Of Our Troops 4!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/troops4.html Who Is This Jesus? http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/jesus.html Holy Alphabet!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/holyalpha.html Walk With Jesus!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/poems/walk.html Bible: Our Valuable Anchor!- http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/BibleStudy/ouranchor.html -<>- >From Our Friend Melinda... {Et-Ahems!] Bill Clinton's Long S@^ual Assault History... http://tinyurl.com/h7athne http://www.albertpeia.com/oxfordassault.htm And Finally... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kw5AAYnEA8w&feature=em-share_video_user --- ...Thanks Melinda. I felt he should have been impeached. He taught our youth to be immoral and disgraced America. Why people thought it was OK to lie and do what he did in the WH as President was beyond me. I still do not understand it. -<>- >From Our Friend LouiseA :) Circe Martinez from Las Vegas performs her charming magic at the French television show 'The World's Greatest Cabaret' hosted by Patrick Sebastien. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=9PeEckXFFwA I've seen ballerinas twirling and dancing so lightly they seem like magic themselves. I've seen magicians move so swiftly and elegantly that they seem like dancers floating on stage, but I've NEVER seen a ballerina magician, and let me tell you folks, it was definitely worth the wait. Living in China, this girl has poise, she has grace, and most importantly - she has incredible skills that will delight anyone lucky enough to see her perform. Enjoy this unique and incredible performance. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=kyBVG_npWug --- ...Pretty Cool! Thanks LouiseA! Franklin Graham, the CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, delivered the remarks at the Jacksonville Pastors’ Conference in January of 2015: "America has changed, and it’s not coming back unless the church takes a stand. There are storms that are coming. We find ourselves in these storms, and many times we as church run, and we run to the wrong place. You see, Jesus is in the boat. All we have to do is call him. Call his name. But the secularist and the humanists, you mention the name of Christ, and they jump all over you." Read the full of this here: http://tinyurl.com/qyzvjgm --- ...Yes, Time for us Christians to take a stand! Thanks LouiseA! Visit Melissa's Online Store You can get anything you want (except for Melissa ) at the online store http://pdhomes.net/mall/babylissa/mySTORES/ISELL4.html ========================================================== ' . ' . . . : . . '. ______ .' ' _.-"` `"-._ ' .' '. `'--. / \ .--'` / \ ; ; - -- | | -- - | _. | ; /__`A ,_ ; .-' \ |= |;._.}{__ / '-. _.-""-|.' # '. ` `.-"{}<._ / 1938 \ \ x `" ----/ \_.-'|--X---- -=_ | | |- X. =_ - __ |_________|_.-'|_X-X## jgs `'-._|_|;:;_.-'` '::. `"- .:;. .:. ::. '::. >"You Can Do It!" Story Editor: by Ted Edinger Joyce Schowalter Louisiana, USA I grew up on a small North Dakota town back in the 50s and 60s. My brother-in-law was a farmer, so we kids were taught at an early age to drive tractors and other vehicles. I started driving tractor for my brother-in-law during the summer of my 11th birthday. One summer day near that time my dad's pickup needed to be moved, so he told me to back it up. Unfortunately, I backed into our swing set, bending the A-frame but not damaging the pickup. I was scared because I wasn't sure how Dad would react. Dad wasn't mad, but came over and moved the pickup himself. Then as a teenager I worked for Jim Seitz during the summer on his farm. Jim had a self-propelled windrower that we used for cutting hay during the summer and grain during fall harvest. I loved to drive the windrower that cut the grain and laid it in rows so the combine could come along to pick it up and harvest the grain. One day, I drove the windrower to get gas from the big farmyard fuel tank. The fuel tank was mounted on a big metal frame 12 feet high. I ran into the frame, breaking one of the machine's wooden slats. I stopped the machine and got off. I assumed Jim would back it up for me, as my father had. To my surprise, Jim said, "Get back up on that machine -- you can do it." And I did! Talk about a confidence builder -- my self-confidence went sky high that day. During harvest, Jim had me do custom windrowing with that same machine, which pushed my confidence level up several more notches. I would take off the drive chains, bolt on a special hitch, then hitch it to a pickup truck and pull the windrower backward down country roads to whatever fields needed to be cut that day. Many other little gestures of confidence -- plus the "can do" attitude Jim had toward me -- carried me through some hard times. In particular, he helped me get through my army basic training. One day my actions weren't to our Drill Sergeant's satisfaction. He made me stand next to a wall and beat my head against it while repeating, "I'm a dud, I'm a dud, I'm a dud." While I was doing this, the image of that summer day on the farm and Jim telling me "Get back up there, you can do it!" came flooding back to my mind. I knew the words the sergeant was making me say weren't true; he didn't break my spirit! Jim's "can do" attitude helped me through basic training, advanced individual training, and jump school. From that training, I became an airborne military policeman with the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. It just goes to show what a huge impact can be created by small gestures of faith and confidence in a person. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From Our Friend Brenda :) _ ( | | __,--./|.--,__ .` \ \ / / `. .` \ | / `. / / ^|^ \ \ / / | |o | \ \ /===/ | | | \===\ /___/ | |o | \___\ | | | | |o | | | | | |o | | | | | |o | |_____/\_____| jgs >Story of Appreciation One young academically excellent person went to apply for a managerial position in a big company. He passed the first interview, the director did the last interview, made the last decision. The director discovered from the CV that the youth's academic achievements were excellent all the way, from the secondary school until the postgraduate research, never was a year when he did not score. The director asked, "Did you obtain any scholarships in school?" The youth answered "none". The director asked, "Was it your father who paid for your school fees?" The youth answered, "My father passed away when I was one year old, it was my mother who paid for my school fees. The director asked, "Where did your mother work?" The youth answered, "My mother worked as a clothes cleaner." The director requested the youth to show his hands. The youth showed a pair of hands that were smooth and perfect. The director asked, "Have you ever helped your mother wash the clothes before?" The youth answered, "Never, my mother always wanted me to study and read more books. Furthermore, my mother can wash clothes faster than me." The director said, "I have a request. When you go back 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, he happily asked his mother to let him clean her hands. His mother felt strange, happy but with mixed feelings, she showed her hands to the kid. The youth cleaned his mother's hands slowly. His tears 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 shivered when they were cleaned with water. This was the first time the youth realized that it was this pair of hands that washed the clothes everyday to enable him to pay the school fee. The bruises in the mother's hands were the price that his mother had to pay for his graduation, academic excellence and his future. After finishing the cleaning of his mother's 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, 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' The Director asked, "please tell me your feelings." The youth said, "Number 1, I know now what is appreciation. Without my mother, there would not be the successful me today. Number 2, by working together and helping my mother, only I now realize how difficult and tough it is to get something done. Number 3, I have come to appreciate the importance and value of family relationship." The director said, "This is what I am looking for to be my 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." Later on, this young person worked very hard, and received the respect of his subordinates. Every employee worked diligently and as a team. The company's performance improved tremendously. A child, who has been protected and habitually given whatever he wanted, would develop "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, may be successful for a while, but eventually would not feel a sense of achievement. He 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 the kid instead? You can let your kid live in a big house, give him a Driver & Car for going around, Eat a Good Meal, learn Piano, Watch 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. Tell them to Travel in a Public Bus, It is not because you do not have Money for Car or 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 Grey, same as the Mother of that young person. The most important thing is your kid learns how to appreciate the effort and experience the difficulty and learns the ability to work with others to get things done. You would have forwarded many mails to many and many of them would have back mailed you too...but try and forward this story to as many as possible...this may change somebody's fate... --- ...Good advice! Thanks Brenda! ========================================================== >-->From Kidwarmers: .-~~\ / \ _ ~x .-~_)_ ~x".-~ ~-. _ ( / \ _ || T o o Y || ==:l l < ! I;== \\ \ .__/ / // \\ ,r"-,___.-'r.// }^ \.( ) _.'//. / }~Xi--~ // \ Y Y I\ \ " Y | | |o\ \ | | l_l Y T | -Row l "o l_j ! \ / ___,.---^. o .^---.._____ "~~~ " ~ ~~~" >THE FUNNIEST THINGS KIDS SAY Christian was 5 and it was his first school fund-raiser. He was selling candles, and his father took him to work. One of the co- workers asked Christian, "So which candle is the best?" Christian pointed to the most expensive one and replied, "That one!" When asked why the most expensive candle was the best one, Christian explained, "Look, my educational future is at stake here, so everyone needs to buy the most expensive one!" -- Grandma Kerri of Topeka, Kansas Sophie had finished her dinner at her Gramma Cynthia's house. She asked her dad if she could leave the table. "What do you say to Gramma?" her dad asked. "Ummmmm," Sophie said, "...can I be explained?" -- Jean McEntire of Hanover, Virginia In the 1970's Gerald's sister-in-law was selling Avon. One day her 3-year-old daughter, Shelley, was outside when a delivery came by way of UPS. Shelley ran into the house to proclaim, "Mom, the Avon man is here!" -- Gerald Walker of Berne, Indiana . . \'.____.'/ __'-. .-'__ .--. '_i:'oo':i_'---...____...----i"""-.-'.-"\\ /._ _.\ : / '._ ;/ ;'-._ ( o o ) '-.__.' '. '. '-." '-.__.-' _.--. '-.: : '-' / ; _..--, / ; : '-._.-' ; ; : : : ` .' '-._.' : / \ : / ____....--\ : '._\ :""""" '. !. : : |: : 'www'| \ '| | || | : | | : | || | .' ! | | .' !| | /__I | | /__I.' ! .' ! /__I /__I fsc At the dinner table, Dave's 10-year-old daughter was telling how she had learned from her grandmother, who raises cattle, that cows are "taken out" when they are very young so that their meat will be tender. She also said how they are "kept in little pens." (No, her grandmother does not do that!) Anyway, Dave's wife said, "That's not very nice to keep them caged up like that." To which the 10-year-old replied, "Well, how nice do you need to be to a cow, anyway?" Her 13-year-old brother said, "You have to be pretty nice... if you're not, they get that mad cow thing!" -- Dave Bryant of Texas Pnina, almost 2, was having some herbal tea with her big brother Yoni, 21. She asked him for "more tea!" He asked her, "More tea what?" (She usually uses "please" and he wanted her to say please.) She replied, "More tea hot!" -- Brandel Falk (mother of Pnina) of Jerusalem, Israel Maggie, 18, was sorting socks with her youngest cousin, Tobias, almost 5, looking on. Maggie asked Tobias, "Do you help your mother sort socks?" Tobias replied quite sternly, "No, she knows how to all by herself!" -- Connie B (mother of Maggie) of Vienna, Austria A week later, Tobias was asked if he would like to help tidy up. He replied, "Are you asking me if I really like to or do you want me to say the truth?" ,-=-. [[_ @~] ((a a)) ` = ' _.-) (-._ /( ("+") )\ / \ \./ / \ (=<( \/8\/ )>=) \ \- 8| -/ / \/_> 8|<_\/ ;-.__;,-; | | | | | | | | '-.___,;' ) ) / ' |( ) ( \_ /_|^--' gpyy \_! Melissa was shopping and saw all the magnets that you can apply to the back of your car. The magnets are shaped like ribbons and they have messages such as "God Bless America" and "Support Our Troops." There was another one that said "Pray for MIA and POW." Melissa's 6-year-old asked, "Who is Mia Pow?" -- Melissa Barbato of St. Paul, Minnesota Nina had her second son recently. Her oldest son, Miggy Boy, 3, had gone with her to all the pre-natal checks. When she had to go back to the clinic, Miggy Boy recognized it instantly and exclaimed, "Oh, no, Mama, don't get another baby!" -- Nina Pascual of Singapore When Debbie's son and daughter were young, she got them some goldfish. Jaimey, 5, named his Jaws, but Kellie, 3, named hers Johnny Carson. Kellie explained... "because it has white hair like Johnny Carson!" (The fish was orange with white on the top.) Kellie is now 23 with two little ones of her own. -- Debbie of Tuscaloosa, Alabama ( . ) ) ( ) . ' . ' . ' . ( , ) (. ) ( ', ) .' ) ( . ) , ( , ) ( . ). , ( . ( ) ( , ') .' ( , ) (_,) . ), ) _) _,') (, ) '. ) ,. (' ) jgs^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Tracy was sharing with the young children in her Bible school class the story of Elijah confronting the false prophets of Baal and the fire that consumed everything. They asked the youngest children what they would have said if they would have been present at that time. One little girl piped up with, "Now there's something you don't see every day!" -- Tracy Weader of McClure, Pennsylvania Note: You are welcomed to use, copy and share these stories, but please reference http://www.funnykids.com as the source. ========================================================== , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' "For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height-- to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God." 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