If
you feel lost, angry, and confused, you are not alone.
Americans have had to face in alot this generation, but
remember this: Many have come before us who have stood
for both peace and freedom, and it is now
our turn to stand.
I
Stand for America and Peace. I have seen
so many flying the American flag, and it files in front
of my house as well...from the very moment I learned
of the tragedy at hand, I flew the flag to show my support
for the country. I have created this symbol, a symbol
that more closely aligns with my own heart. You can
click on it and get a bigger image...one that can be
printed and shared and emailed to everyone you know.
Tell
them how you really feel!
I
also created this message,
which while not uplifting, strengthens my resolve that
my children not know the perils of war firsthand.
A
Little Humor
From
my dear friend Gina Enos
There
were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus was Black:
1. He called everyone "brother"
2. He liked Gospel.
3. He couldn't get a fair trial.
But
then there were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus
was Jewish:
1. He went into His Fathers business.
2. He lived at home until he was 33.
3. He was sure his Mother was a virgin and his mother
was sure he
was God.
But then there were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus
was Italian:
1. He talked with his hands.
2. He had wine with every meal.
3. He used olive oil a lot.
But then there were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus
was a
Californian:
1. He never cut his hair.
2. He walked around barefoot all the time.
3. He started a new religion.
But then there were 3 equally good arguments that Jesus
was Irish:
1. He never got married.
2. He was always telling stories.
3. He loved green pastures.
But the most compelling evidence of all - 3 proofs that
Jesus was a
WOMAN:
1. He had to feed a crowd at a moment's notice when
there was no food.
2. He kept trying to get a message across to a bunch
of men who just didn't get it.
3. Even when he was dead, He had to get up because there
was more
work to do
Inspirational
Story
DREAMS
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 around 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, have a couple of
children, and then retire and travel."
"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.
1.
You have to laugh and find humor every day.
2.
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!
3.
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 the opportunity in change.
4.
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.
Passed
along in loving memory of ROSE.
REMEMBER,
GROWING OLDER IS MANDATORY, GROWING UP IS OPTIONAL !
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