The Moments... :) 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 Through no fault of my own we suddenly became an adult club in the love and romance directory so you will have to confirm that you are an adult when you go here. I still have no idea how to change this back as it sends me around in a circle when I try! 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!! ================ >-->Hot Off The 'Shangy' Press :) This hot sizzler comes from our friend John-Paul and Wesley. Way too cute not to do up as a page. Check it out here... ,\--/, ,-,__ ------{ @ @ }-------------------,-,| |_/| ----------| \/ |-------------------| |`-/ | | ) ( | ,-,`-'_/ _/ --------------`W-mm-W'----------------| | _/ / \ / /`-'/ _/| WW /___/ / | | | /| | |___|/ | | | | | -Ed Savage- | | | | | | | | | | | | Awww Animals 7! http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/animals7.html --- ...I do so love this series! Thanks John-Paul and Wesley! ========================================================= >-->From Heartwarmers: hugs&kisses&hugs&kisses&hugs&kisses&hugs&kisses&hugs&kisses& & hugs&kisses&hugs&kisses&hu &hugs&kisses s&h es&hugs&kisses&hugs&kiss gs&kisse es&h sses&hugs&kisses&hugs&k s&kiss ses& isses&hugs&kisses&hugs &kiss s&kis sses kisses&hugs&kisses&hu ugs&kiss s&ki isse &kisses&hugs&kisses&h &hugs&kiss gs&k kiss s&kisses&hugs&kisses& es&hugs&kis ugs& &kis gs&kisses&hugs&kisses sses&hugs&k hugs s&ki ugs&kisses&hugs&kisse kisses&hugs &hug gs&k hugs&kisses&hugs&kiss s&kisses&hu s&hu ugs& &hugs&kisses&hugs&kis ugs&kisses& es&h hugs s&hugs&kisses&hugs& i hugs&kisse ses& &hug es&hugs&kisses&hug k hugs&kis sses s&hu ses&hugs&kisses&h & hugs& isse es&h sses&hugs&kisse s& &kiss s gs&ki hugs&kis s ugs&kisse sses&hugs&ki i ses&h k k sses& & &kis gs&kisses&hug isses&hugs s&hugs&kisse s s&kis gs&kisses&h &kisses&hug es&hugs&kisses g gs&ki ugs&kisses& s&kisses&hu ses&hugs&kisses u ugs&ki ugs&kisse ugs&kisses&h sses&hugs&kisses h hugs&k hugs&kiss hugs&kisses& isses&h gs&kisses& &hugs&k hugs&ki s&hugs&kisses kisses ugs&kisses s&hugs& &hugs&k es&hugs&kisse hugs&kisse es&hugs& &hugs sses&hugs&kiss s&kiss &hugs&kiss ses&hugs s&hug isses&hugs&kis gs&kiss s&hugs&kis sses&hugs s&h &kisses&hugs&ki ugs&kisses&hugs& i isses&hug es& s&kisses&hugs&k hugs&kisses&hug k kisses&hug e ugs&kisses&hugs& &hugs&kisses&h & &kisses&hu hugs&kisses&hugs s&hugs&kisse s s&kisses&hu s&hugs&kisses g gs&kisses&h es&hugs&kisse u ugs&kisses&hugs&kisses&hugs&kisses&hugs&kisses&hugs&kisses&h -- Matt Ryan >SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY AND LOVE by David Welch The story of how I met, and then fell in love with my Valentine might be what some people would say is an odd way of meeting, but in our case it has worked for us. God has a plan for all of us though, and we understand we are together because God brought us together for a reason. I have never questioned God for the health troubles I've had to deal with, and try an live in the present. I look forward to the future, but never blame God for what troubles I've had during my past. My name is David Welch, and I've been a diabetic since I was four years old. Since I was 23 I've had many health problems -- blindness, loss of my kidneys, open heart surgery, and now I'm in a wheelchair. The one thing I have enjoyed doing since my health has declined is to use my computer with a screen reading program for the blind. One evening, I downloaded a program I had heard about called Freedom Chat, which was for blind people. Chat programs are something I really never enjoyed, but I'm so glad this time I tried it out. I didn't call anyone when I got online, but I received a private message from a young lady asking who I was. We started chatting and we both had health problems and felt comfortable with our conversation. Come to find out she was legally blind in one eye and completely blind in the other, along with being deaf in one ear. She had Lupus which had created many of her health problems. We chatted several times as the weeks went by, but neither of us thought much more of it than just a friendly conversation. I found out that she was from Thailand, but had become an American citizen nearly twenty years earlier. Her name was Nualanong Pumyam, but wanted to be called an American name, Nicole. Nicole mentioned to me that she was in school still working on her English, and computer skills using JAWS, the same screen reading program that I was using, and I thought I could help her out with her school work. We spent many evenings on the phone, with free long distance service, working on the computer skills, and her English. I had no problem helping her with her computer skills -- but hey, I probably need a little help at times myself with English! The one thing I kept telling her, was she should never trust anyone that she chats with. I told her many times she should go out and enjoy her life, but never agree to meet some guy that she was talking with over the Internet. I wanted Nicole to understand that meeting someone she had been chatting with over the computer could be very dangerous! As time went by the two of us started feeling much closer, and she said she would love to see what Kentucky was like. We managed to arrange for a plane ticket so she could visit Glasgow, Kentucky, where I live. Yes, we did exactly what I had been preaching for her to never do, and brought her to my hometown. With help from my brother driving me to the airport in Nashville, we picked up Nicole. It didn't take her long to notice a big difference between the people in San Jose, California, and the southern hospitality of the people that she would meet here in Kentucky. She said the people in Glasgow all seemed so friendly, and she fell in love with the town. The visit turned into a move to Glasgow, and she has never returned to California since. Actually, as I mentioned, Nicole fell in love with Glasgow, but we fell in love with each other as well. We have been together now for four years, and we have built a good life with one another, and on July 5, 2009, Nicole became my bride. I may not have the ability to always provide her with material things, like other men might give their girlfriend or wife, but we certainly give each other loyalty, respect, happiness, and most significantly... love! -- David Welch ============================================================= >-->From our Friend Bunni :) , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >Scriptures: Few things heal wounded spirits better than the balm of a supportive embrace. I embrace you, my amazing friends. I pray for you, pray for me. We need each other in this world. Read Isaiah 66:13 (As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you.) If you live intimidated by people then you need to come to terms with your lack of peace. God is bigger than any person. Learn to focus on people through the lens of God's eye and you will never see anyone even near His match.!!!! Read Hebrews 11:27 (By faith Moses left Egypt not fearing the king's anger: he persevered because he saw him who is invisible.) How magnificient is GRACE! How malignant is guilt!!! How sweet are the promises! How sour is the past!! How precious and broad is God's love!!! How petty and narrow are man's limitations!!! How refreshing is the Lord!!! Read Jeremiah 31:25 (I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.) Adversity is always unexpected and unwelcomed. It is an intruder and a thief. Yet in the hands of God, adversity becomes the means through which His supernatural power is demonstrated. Read 1 John 5:4 (For whoever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that he overcomes the world - Our faith.) --- ...Sweet! Thanks Bunni! -<>- * * * * ) (\___/) ( * /( \ (. .) )\ * # ) c\ >' ( # ' )-_/ ' \\|, ____| |__ ,|// \ ) ( ` ~ ) ( / #\ / /| . ' .) \ /# | \ / ) , / \ / | \,/ ;;,,;,; \,/ _,#;,;;,;, /,i;;;,,;#,; (( %;;,;,;;,; )) ;#;,;%;;,, _// ;,;; ,#;, /_) #,; // // \|_ \|_ |#\ |#\ -" b'ger -" >The Devil Left His Bags You put the devil out, but you let him leave his bags. Never quite looked at it like this before... You got out of a bad relationship because it was bad, but you are still resentful and angry. You let the devil leave his bags. You got out of financial debt, but you still can't control the desire to spend on frivolous things. You let the devil leave his bags. You got out of a bad habit or addiction, but you still long to try it just one more time. You let the devil leave his bags. You said, I forgive you, but you can't seem to forget and have peace with that person. You let the devil leave his bags. You told your unequally yoked mate that it was over, but you still continue to call. You let the devil leave his bags. You got out of that horribly oppressive job, but you're still trying to sabotage the company after you've left. You let the devil leave his bags. You cut off the affair with that married man/woman, but you still lust after him/her. You let the devil leave his bags. You broke off your relationship with that hurtful, abusive person, but you are suspicious and distrusting of every new person you meet. You let the devil leave his bags. You decided to let go of the past hurts from growing up in an unstable family environment, yet you believe you are unworthy of love from others, and you refuse to get attached to anyone. You let the devil leave his bags. When you put the devil out, please make sure he takes his bags. ~Author Unknown --- ...For sure! Good advice - Thanks Bunni! -<>- | ____.......__ |\ .' _.--""''`` ``''--._ | \ .'/ ..--'` .-'` .._ | \.' / ..-'' .-' '.`'"-: ' .-'` .-' '. __...----""""""""""--.. \ - ..-'' ``""-._ \ .' _. \ `"- \ _.-'` | /-. \ `-. \ | / `. \ wkm `.\ |/ `-\ `. | >Eternal Star There is a part of you that is perfect and pure. It is untouched by the less-than-perfect characteristics you have acquired by living in a less than perfect world. This part of you is a still and eternal star. Make time to reach it and this will bring you untold benefit.? ~~unknown --- ...Nice! Thanks Bunni! -<>- __ \/.--, //_.' .-""-/""-. / __ \ / \\\ \ | || | \ / \ \ / \ '- / '-.__.__.' sjw >Apples A few years ago a group of salesmen went to a regional sales convention in Chicago. They had assured their wives that they would be home in plenty of time for Friday night's dinner. In their rush, with tickets and brief-cases, one of these salesmen Inadvertently kicked over a table which held a display of baskets of apples. Apples flew everywhere. Without stopping or looking back, they all managed to reach the plane in time for their nearly missed boarding. All but one. He paused, took a deep breath, got in touch with his feelings, and experienced a twinge of compassion for the girl whose apple stand had been overturned. He told his buddies to go on without him, waved goodbye, told one of them to call his wife when they arrived at their home destination and explain his taking a later flight. Then he returned to the terminal where the apples were all over the terminal floor. He was glad he did. The 16 year old girl was totally blind! She was softly crying, tears running down her cheeks in frustration, and at the same time helplessly groping for her spilled produce as the crowd swirled about her, no one stopping, and no one to care for her plight. The salesman knelt on the floor with her, gathered up the apples, put them into the baskets, and helped set the display up once more. As he did this, he noticed that many of them had become battered and bruised; these he set aside in another basket. When he had finished, he pulled out his wallet and said to the girl, "Here, please take this $20 for the damage we did. Are you okay?" She nodded through her tears. He continued on with, "I hope we didn't spoil our day too badly." As the salesman started to walk away, the bewildered blind girl called out to him, "Mister...." He paused and turned to look back into those blind eyes. She continued, "Are you Jesus?" He stopped in mid-stride, and he wondered. Then slowly he made his way to catch the later flight with that question burning and bouncing about in his soul: "Are you Jesus?" Do people mistake you for Jesus? That's our destiny, is it not? To be so much like Jesus that people cannot tell the difference as we live and interact with a world that is blind to his love, life and grace. If we claim to know Him, we should live, walk and act as He would. Knowing Him is more than simply quoting Scripture and going to church. It's actually living the Word as life unfolds day to day. You are the apple of His eye even though we, too, have been bruised by a fall. He stopped what He was doing and picked you and me up on a hill called Calvary and paid in full for our damaged fruit. Let us live like we are worth the price He paid. ~~unknown -<>- )\ (_/ .-#-| |-#-. __|__|_.#' .' | | . '#--| |-#' xemu_|__| >A VERY HUMAN THING TO DO Someone made the statement: "To err is dysfunctional, to forgive Co-dependent." Sometimes I think I operate that way - afraid to err And slow to forgive. Of course, we've all heard Alexander Pope's famous assertion that to Err is human, to forgive, divine. But I don't agree. I think that to Forgive is one of the most human things we can do. A number of years ago, Hildegard Goss-Mayr of the "International Fellowship of Reconciliation" told this true story. In the midst of Tragic fighting in Lebanon in the 1970s, a Christian seminary Student was walking from one village to the next when he was ambushed by an armed Druze guerrilla fighter. The Druze ordered his Captive down a mountain trail where he was to be shot. But an amazing thing happened. The seminarian, who had received Military training, was able to surprise his captor and disarm him. Now, the table was turned, and it was the Druze who was ordered down The trail. As they walked, however, the student of theology began to reflect on What was happening. Recalling the words of his scripture, "Love your Enemies," "do good to those who hate you," "turn the other cheek," He found he could go no farther. He threw the gun into the bushes, Told the Druze he was free to go and turned back up the hill. Minutes later, he heard footsteps running behind him as he walked. "Is this the end after all?" he wondered. Perhaps the young man had Retrieved his weapon and meant to finish him off. But he continued On, never glancing back, until his enemy reached him, only to grab Him in an embrace and pour out thanks for sparing his life. That was a very human thing he did - foregoing the impulse to strike Back. It took a strong spirit. Yet every time we decide not to get Back at somebody who hurts us, we exercise one of our greatest Powers - the power to choose a better way. Somebody else put it better than I can: "Life is too short for drama And petty things, so, kiss slowly, laugh insanely, love truly and Forgive quickly." It's one of the most powerful and human things to Do. -- Steve Goodier --- ...Great Stories! Thanks Bunni! ================================================================ >-->From Archives InspiredBuffalo: .---. .---. ,';' `.';' `.. f :Bo. ` d88: `\ /d88P' `\ ; /d888P' `. ',d8&8P' : ;d8&7' | :8: | qx >"Those Who Touch Our Lives" Every special person who touches our life leaves their own unique mark On our heart; a mark which can never be chiseled away even if the years Eventually pull us apart. We can take on their expressions and such the more we share of ourselves Together. It's those little things about another person that can remain A part in us forever. People who we have met throughout our life become a part of the person Who we are today. We learn and we grow from the relationships each one Touching us, in it's own special way. We laugh about spending too much Time together when we think we have become like each other. But it just Shows how much we've been touched by the relationship we have found with Another. Those special people who can touch our lives are like precious jewels Amongst life's treasures. They shine on us and leave a lasting Impression, a unique mark on our heart, a gift without measures. ~Author Unknown~ -<>- , /\ , / '-' '-' \ | POLICE | \ .--. / | ( 19 ) | \ '--' / '--. .--' jgs \/ >THIS ONE SURE MAKES ONE STOP AND THINK. Read This Slowly Jack took a long look at his speedometer before slowing down: 73 in a 55 zone. Fourth time in as many months. How could a guy get caught so often? When his car had slowed to 10 miles an hour, Jack pulled over, but only partially. Let the cop worry about the potential traffic hazard. Maybe some other car will tweak his backside with a mirror. The cop was stepping out of his car, the big pad in hand. Bob? Bob from Church? Jack sunk farther into his trench coat. This was worse than the coming ticket. A cop catching a guy from his own church. A guy who happened to be a little eager to get home after a long day at the office. A guy he was about to play golf with tomorrow. Jumping out of the car, he approached a man he s aw every Sunday, a man he'd never seen in uniform. "Hi, Bob. Fancy meeting you like this." "Hello, Jack." No smile. "Guess you caught me red-handed in a rush to see my wife and kids." "Yeah, I guess." Bob seemed uncertain. Good. "I've seen some long days at the office lately. I'm afraid I bent the rules a bit -just this once." Jack toed at a pebble on the pavement. "Diane said something about roast beef and potatoes tonight. Know what I mean?" "I know what you mean. I also know that you have a reputation in our precinct " Ouch. This was not going in the right direction Time to change tactics. "What'd you clock me at?" "Seventy. Would you sit back in your car please?" "Now wait a minute here, Bob. I checked as soon as saw you. I was barely nudging 65." The lie seemed to come easier with every ticket. "Please, Jack, in the car" Flustered, Jack hunched himself through the still-open door. Slamming it shut, he stared at the dashboard. He was in no rush to open the window. The minutes ticked by. Bob scribbled away on the pad. Why hadn't he asked for a driver's license? Whatever the reason, it would be a month of Sundays before Jack ever sat near this cop again. A tap on the door jerked his head to the left. There was Bob, a folded paper in hand Jack rolled down the window a mere two inches, just enough room for Bob to pass him the slip. "Thanks." Jack could not quite keep the sneer out of his voice. Bob returned to his police car without a word. Jack watched his retreat in the mirror. Jack unfolded the sheet of paper. How much was this one going to cost? Wait a minute. What was this? Some kind of joke? Certainly not a ticket. Jack began to read: "Dear Jack, Once upon a time I had a daughter. She was six when killed by a car. You guessed it- a speeding driver. A fine and three months in jail, and the man was free. Free to hug his daughters, all three of them. I only had one, and I'm going to have to wait until Heaven before I can ever hug her again. A thousand times I've tried to forgive that man. A thousand times I thought I had. Maybe I did, but I need to do it again. Even now. Pray for me. And be careful, Jack, my son is all I have left." "Bob" Jack turned around in time to see Bob's car pull away and head down the road. Jack watched until it disappeared. A full 15 minutes later, he too, pulled away and drove slowly home, praying for forgiveness and hugging a surprised wife and kids when he arrived. Life is precious. Handle with care. This is an important message; please pass it along to your friends. Drive safely and carefully. Remember, cars are not the only things recalled by their maker. -<>- .-"""-. / \ ;_.-"""-._; .,_ __,.---.-(=(o)-(o)=)-.---.,__ _,. '._'--"``` \ ^ / ```"--'_.' ``"''~---~~%^%^.%.`._0_.'%,^%^%^~~---~''"`` jgs ~^~- `^-% ^~.%~%.^~-%-~.%-^.% ~`% ~-`%^`-~^~ ~^- ~^- `~.^- %`~.%~-'%~^- %~^- ~^ >Healing Waters "Do you swim?" The neurologist's question caught me off guard. Unexplained back pain plus a strange tingling sensation in my right foot, brought me to our family doctor, then alarmingly, to this specialist. "Well, no. I mean, I can swim, but it has been years." "It really is the best thing for your back." Stalling, I opted for on-land physical therapy sessions, which of course did little to alleviate the numbness in my toes. Who knew that a herniated back disc could affect the feet? "You really should try swimming," the therapist reiterates. "It can do wonders for injuries like yours." * * * Flip-flops squeaking against the wet tile floor, towel in one arm, goggles perched upon my head, I scan the pool deck for a free lap lane. Looking down at my faded Lands' End suit, the one with the little white elastic pieces sticking out of the inseam, I feel everyone's eyes upon me. A thirty-something mom, my exercise regime involves breathless morning sprints to the bus stop. But competition-style lap swimming? I think not. Sure, I know how to swim, but splashing around with my kids on a sultry summer afternoon is just not the same as this -- a 9am plunge into freezing water on a sub-zero February morning. So here I stand poolside, a deer in the headlights, wanting to flee, yet paralyzed by the imagined stares of the other "real" swimmers. Again I am a shy grade schooler, always picked last for the kickball team. Her report card is excellent as always, but there is just one unsatisfactory mark -- physical education. Again, I am an awkward teenager, hitting the volleyball into, rather than over, the net. Again, I am an aspiring teenaged figure skater, full of grace, but lacking the technique needed for any real success. Just Do It! The cliched Nike slogan pops into my foggy brain, pushed there perhaps by some gentle prodding from a fellow swimmer, stopping mid-workout to smile my way. "You are welcome to share this lane with me. The pool is awfully crowded this time of day." Just like that, I find myself muttering thanks and sliding into the surprisingly warm water. I am off, pushing forward into a modified breaststroke (adapted by me, so I don't actually have to put my eyes under water.) Red, blue, yellow and green triangles hang from a banner high overhead, signaling my arrival at the three-fourths lane mark. My fingertips hit cold concrete -- a tangible reward for completing an entire lap. Out of breath, yet exhilarated, I continue this back-and-forth path. I shock myself by completing ten laps, on this, my first day as a swimmer. Tired, yet invigorated, I am bursting with accomplishment. "I am going to do twenty laps on Thursday!" I boast to my husband over lunch later that day. "I think I will try a few strokes of front crawl, too." What started as therapy for my back quickly turned into a workout that I actually enjoyed. Tuesday and Thursday mornings become my time. With my youngest daughter in preschool, I find myself looking forward to peaceful morning swims. Gradually, I begin to complete greater distances. Ten laps become twenty, and remarkably, even thirty. Splashing forward, I am surprised to feel so free. My spirit soars with each stroke. Who cares if my form isn't the model of Olympian perfection? In the water I am powerful and strong. Adjusting my goggles, I dive beneath the surface. Insecurities are washed away as I set and reach new goals, like actually swimming under water! Refreshed after each swim, I spend my afternoons enthusiastically rolling out sticky pink play dough and playing countless games of Candyland with my girls. Bubble wand in one hand, sidewalk chalk in the other, I laugh more and worry less. I lost a few unwanted pounds and feel healthier and happier both inside and out. Long after my back pain subsided, swimming continues to be the balm that heals both my body and soul. In the water, I am a confident athlete, a woman of strength. And someday, someday very soon, I will master that impossible flip turn. ~ Stefanie Wass ~ -<>- , , /////| ///// | ///// | |~~~| | | |===| |/| | B |/| | | I | | | | B | | | | L | / | E | / |===|/ jgs '---' >Prayer: You never know when God is going to bless you!! Good things happen when you least expect them to !!!!!!!! _ _|_|_ ,|_| |_|_ || | | |_| || | | | | || | | | | _|| | | | | ||)\ ^ ^ ^ | || | | || | | || | | \\ | \\ / ejm )\ ( / \ \ / \ \ \ \ Dear God, I thank You for this day. I thank You for my being able to see and to hear this morning. I'm blessed because You are a forgiving God and an understanding God. You have done so much for me and You keep on blessing me. Forgive me please, this day, in the name of Jesus Christ for everything I have said, done, or thought that was not according to your will. Please keep me and my loved ones safe from all danger and harm. Help me to start this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude. Let e make the best of each and every day to clear my mind so that I can hear from You. Please use me to do Your good will. Continue to bless me that I may be a blessing you and to others. Keep me strong that I may help the weak. Keep me uplifted that I may have words of encouragement for others. Please help those that are lost and can't find their way. Please help those that are misjudged and misunderstood. Please help those who don't know You intimately. Please help those that will delete this without sharing it with others and please greatly bless all who do. Please help those that don't believe in you or your son Jesus Christ. I thank you that I believe. I believe that you, God, change people and can change things. I pray for all my sisters and brothers. For each and every family member in their households. I pray for peace, love and joy in their homes that they are out of debt and all their needs are met. I pray that every eye that reads this knows there is no problem, circumstance, or situation greater than you, dear sweet God. Every battle is in Your hands for You to fight. I pray that these words be received into the hearts of every eye that sees it. In the name of Jesus Christ I pray, amen! God Bless!!!! Just repeat this phrase and see how God moves!! Jesus Christ I love you and I need you, come into my heart, please. Amen God bless you! -<>- >Links for you: Who Is Jesus Christ? http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/whoisjesus.html Choose His Children http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/choosehischildren.html The Sacred Secret http://www.ShangralaFamilyFun.com/BibleStudy/secret.html Help - God's Emergency Numbers: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/poems/help.html Hidden Falls http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/poems/hidden.html Hummingbirds: http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/humming.html Beautiful Bridges 2 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/bflowers.html God's Paintings 2 http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/gpaints2.html Ice Hotel http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/icehotel.html Niagara Falls Frozen http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/niagarafalls.html Polar Bear http://www.shangralafamilyfun.com/polar.html 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 -<>- >From Our Friend Brenda :) Interesting and beautiful story from a war veteran. Something different. A little bit enlightening and melancholy, really... Touching World War 2 story http://www.wimp.com/remarkableexperience --- ...heartwarming. Thanks Brenda! ============================================================== .__ _..._ /,-./'.--. ``\. /|/.--./`.o/ /`;\\ |||\ _ `-'_` o|/|| ||\\`.`.__`Y8P_,\|| \\|| `"\"""/---'|| \\| ,-' `.||// \(-'_ `. ,-' [_] .-. \ ; `\| ||-'/ ` \ \ /`""-.`\ | ; | `.-|\_/ | ; ' | \-._ / | | / |`--'| : ;_\_ /| |/ /\|, ) __..; `----' :`.`|/ / / | | ; .' `\' ; \/ : _ : : / / : : _.'`.__.' | fsc \ _.' \ / | | / `---.._ | `\ `.____ \ / | `------' \__|_,' >Escape Story Editor: by Anonymou Joyce Schowalter USA Our father left us when our mother first began showing signs of mental illness. In between psychotic episodes, my mother told my brother Bill that he was the man of the house. So he did his best to take care of her and his two little sisters. The problem with living with a crazy parent, especially if it is your only parent, is that you don't realize they are nuts when you are a kid. Their craziness is normal to you, because that's all you know. Mom liked to sleep late on weekends, and would always be mad when we woke her up. It's hard for little kids to be quiet. One day we did our best to let her sleep, and she slept until 4:00 in the afternoon. It was a great accomplishment for us, but she was mad that we let her sleep. When Mom attempted suicide the first time, Bill found her and called for help. She was committed and received electroshock therapy, and it frightened us to see her afterwards. She was "out of it," but she liked it, because she got lots of drugs. As we grew up, we were passed around to relatives and back to our mother during her lucid times. The moving around made it difficult to feel like you belonged anywhere. My brother's drug use started in earnest after Mom's second commitment. Certainly, it was an escape. The commitments always followed the suicide attempts. We felt that if we could just be "good enough" it wouldn't keep happening. Drugs not only permitted Bill to escape our home environment, they permitted him to escape from his feelings. He began using at 12. Mostly pot, but by 21, he had been on every drug you could name. He managed to stay in school and get good grades, but when he left home, he did more drugs. Still, he kept a job and appeared to function. He got married and had a family. He was a good husband and father -- surprising, since he really had no personal role models. Then he got into crank. Perhaps our sister's suicide started that. For this drug, Bill lied, stole, and hurt the ones who loved him most. When he reached bottom, he asked me to assist him to get help. I got him into a program, but he did the rest. A week went by, he was still sober; then it was a month, then a year. He began putting his life back together, in part by helping others who were also in trouble. He went back to school, got a nursing degree, and dedicated himself to helping others. The great thing is that Bill helps folks without putting them down. And I have my brother back. He has been sober for seven years. My brother is a drug addict -- and I am proud of his accomplishments. =======HeroicStories======= >-->From KidWarmers: _.._ /,-. \_ ___|/ `'' _____/___\______ / ____ \ | (''))) | \____() - -))____/ )( _>_)( ()|`--())) /'~~~/\~~'\ / _/| ) \ / /\ \ _/ | | \ _/ / \ \ ///)\ ( ) ) / )( ) )><><| ( \_\(_,/ / , `\ ) ) | / ( / | \ ) / ( | ( )_._._._( | ) | \ / / \ \ | ( | \( | | |\ | ) | _|__/ \__|_) | \_| \ / \ /( | |`. |_ / \ _| )| | \|- | | -| |( | ,--. | | ,--.\\ gnv | |____\`'==--/____|-` >FUNNY THINGS KIDS SAY Taylor, 5, asked, "Who is older? You or Daddy?" Laura responded by asking, "Who do you think is older?" Taylor replied, "Daddy, because his mustache is bigger than yours!" -- Laura of Pennsylvania Mary pointed out a dalmation across the street. Laura, 3, said it was ugly. "That's just the way they're made," Mary said. Laura asked, "How are dogs made?" Mary replied, "The same way mommies and daddies make babies. A mommy dog and a daddy dog get together and make a puppy." Amazed, Laura said, "You mean to tell me that I used to be a dog first!" -- Mary of Springfield, Massachusetts __ ( ( ) ) _ / / ___ /:;-/_ ( ( \ ___ __/::::;;;-. ) ) \ / _ \/ _\`".:::::/\/ / ) ) (_( \/ / \__ `";/ /\/ ( ( (_(_) /`_>-~-\/ /\ \_\ \/)'O_O`\/ / /-.(_),-\/ ( .:_|_:. ) /`--'U,-.'\_ ,'\,-. (_,,),:| ___ ,'__(,,_)___,:::| / _ \ |||||||||||||:::| / / \ \|||||||||||||:::| __ ( ( \ |||||||||||||:::| ( (\ )_) \|||||||||||||::;'__) )\ hjw |||||||||||||;'_____/\/ """"( ("""""" ) ) (_( When Amie was expecting their second child, she and her husband decided to buy Zane, 3, a puppy to help teach him about being gentle and caring. Unfortunately, the new puppy often spent time outside for misbehaving. One year later, their new son, Bryce, showed signs of being ready to crawl. They cautioned Zane about keeping small toys off the floor to avoid a choking hazard for Bryce. Zane thought for a minute and replied gravely, "If Bryce puts my toys in his mouth, he will have to stay outside?" -- Amie Deupree of Fort Worth, Texas Spencer's father told him that his new 6-month-old cousin, Cooper, would be visiting them. "Do you know who else will be coming with Cooper?" Spencer's dad asked him. "Who's going to bring Cooper to our house?" Spencer thought hard and then looked as if a light bulb had just turned on in his head. He quickly replied "HIS OWNERS!" -- Bridget Fulk of Clifton Park, New York . | \/| (\ _ ) )|/| (/ _----. /.'.' .-._________.. .' @ _\ .' '.._______. '. / (_| .') '._____. / '-/ | _.' '.______ ( ) ) \ '..____ '._ ) ) .' __.--\ , , // (( '.' mrf| \/ (_.'( ' \ .' \ ( \ '. \ \ '.) '-'-' Kathy went to a friend's home for dinner with her 7-month-old son. Her friend's 3-year-old was playing with him when she gently rubbed his head and said, "Look, Mommy, it's got feathers on its little head." -- Kathy Tugman of Laurel Bloomery, Tennessee Rosana has two boys, Matthew, 8, and Joshua, 4. One day their grandmother was driving them somewhere when Matthew started in on his brother, saying, "Joshua, why do you always have to come in my room, touch my stuff, play with my stuff, take my stuff, and sometimes break my stuff?" Joshua shrugged his shoulders and said, "Cause I wanna be just like you." -- Rosana Bryant of Brandon, Florida _,-""`""-~`) (`~_,=========\ |---,___.-.__,\ | o \ ___ _,,,,_ _.--. \ `^` /`_.-"~ `~-;` \ \_ _ .' `, | |`- \'__/ / ,_ \ `'-. / .-""~~--. `"-, ;_ / | \ \ | `""` \__.--'`"-. /_ |' `"` `~~~---.., | jgs \ _.-'`-. \ \ '. / `"~"` Many, many years ago, Eileen asked her toddler Patricia to tell her a story instead of Eileen telling her one. This is what she got: "Once upon a time, there were three bears, and along came a spider and sat down beside her, and so the poor Doggie had none." There you have it, all wrapped up in one short tale -- Reader's Digest eat your heart out! -- Eileen Tyrrell of Ontario, Canada Chelsea, 6, was learning to play Solitaire on her new computer. After a short while, she was stumped, and asked, "Mommy, will the Jack of Clovers play on the Queen of Hearts?" -- Michelle Stephens (Chelsea's mother) of Kendallville, Indiana -| -' | -' | __ ==wkm=====|'\/ () /| `O /` : /\ \ \ ` ` ____________________________________ ///\\\///\\\///\\\///\\\///\\\///\\\ When Denise picked up Lindsey, 6, from school she was in the gymnasium, watching a basketball game. Curious to see if she knew what was going on, Denise said, "Lindsey, what's the name of your team?" She looked at her mother as if she were stupid and said, "HOME!" -- Denise Burch of Costa Mesa, California Naia, 4, asked, "Mommy, when I get older will I have rubber bands all over my face like that lady?" She was referring to wrinkles. -- Lorey (Naia's cousin) of Maryland |/-->&<--\| | (._.) | | ( @ ) | | /|`"|\ | //(_\___/_)\\ \\_()___()_// `+---I---+' |\(_)|(_)/| _|j"""""""|j_ | |_______| | |_| |_| hjw Jennifer, almost 3, was in the high chair, while her Daddy was trying to feed her mixed vegetables, which she hated. The sitter was late. Daddy was at his wits end from getting her to finish up. Her chipmunk cheeks were stuffed full, and "airplane" wasn't working. So Daddy got an idea. "Jenni, pretend it's ice cream. You like ice cream." Jenni tilted her head, cheeks still full, and thought for a moment. "Daddy, can't we just pretend it's gone?" -- Jennifer St. Pierre (now 22) of Rochester, New York Eric, 3, was playing a little math game with his mother. She was surprised that he could corrrectly answer her questions. "How is it that you are so very smart, Eric?" his mother asked. Eric thought and then said, "I don't know. I think it's because I have a really big head." (Which he does not!) -- Debbie Carlson of San Antonio, Texas At a recent basketball practice, the coach's son, Dakota, 4, told Sally, "The next time you bring me M&M's, I want the red and yellow ones, you know the kind with the BIG BELLIES." It took Sally a moment, but he was obviously referring to Peanut M&M's versus the plain variety she had bought for him. -- Sally Delaney, director of recreation, Erving, Massachusetts. (Sally adds: "Dakota's genuine honesty and innocence always makes me smile and appreciate the simple things I often overlook.) ! | | |~/ | _|~ .============.| (_| |~/ .-;____________;|. _|~ | [_________I__] | (_| | """"" (_) (_) | | .=====..=====. | | |:::::||:::::| | jgs | '=====''=====' | '----------------' Brenda was singing to the song on the radio. She belted out a few lines, laughed and said she knew that she couldn't sing. Joshua, 7, said, "That's OK, Mommy, you just need one lesson... to fix the sound!" -- My name Brenda of Muncie, Indiana. ============================================================ >-->From Our Friend Bunni :) ,--.,-"";-"-. .-;-/ / / .- `\ .-. ` ( ' ' ` ; `\/ \ \ / \ / (. C . ) | .-. | | _ / (` / | \ /}| | )(\ | `-> (____.| / ||| / \=====| | |\| | |====| \ _/ ` \__/=====| |` `-'======| \ |=======/ | |=======| | .--, ########\ |/ / jgs |_|__|| ` `--. ,---;-'--'\ `--. `---`-------'-.___,___.---' >The Moments Never take life for granted Whatever comes your way, Just grasp it in both hands And enjoy it every day. Sometimes sorrow comes your way Blocking out the light, That's the time to pray and To know you'll win the fight. Life is but a journey Through mountains, hills and vales We cannot have the sunshine If we have no rain and gales. So enjoy each precious moment, And always give your best Remember keep faith in God Then you'll be truly blessed. ~~unknown --- ...Beautiful! 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