Stories worth reading..

[kimmi]

TWO MEN

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied
the same hospital room. One man was
allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour
each afternoon to help drain the fluid
from his lungs. His bed was next to the
room's only window. The other man had to
spend all his time flat on his back.

The men talked for hours on end. They
spoke of their wives and families, their
homes, their jobs, their involvement in
the military service, where they had
been on vacation.

Every afternoon when the man in the bed
by the window could sit up, he would
pass the time by describing to his
roommate all the things he could see
outside the window.

The man in the other bed began to live
for those one-hour periods where his
world would be broadened and enlivened
by all the activity and color of the
world outside.

The window overlooked a park with a
lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on
the water while children sailed their
model boats. Young lovers walked arm in
arm amidst flowers of every color and a
fine view of the city skyline could be
seen in the distance.

As the man by the window described all
this in exquisite detail, the man on the
other side of the room would close his
eyes and imagine the picturesque scene.
One warm afternoon the man by the window
described a parade passing by. Although
the other man couldn't hear the band -
he could see it. In his mind's eye as
the gentleman by the window portrayed it
with descriptive words.

Days and weeks passed. One morning, the
nurse arrived to bring water for their
baths only to find the lifeless body of
the man by the window, who had died
peacefully in his sleep. She was
saddened and called the hospital
attendants to take the body away.

As soon as it seemed appropriate, the
other man asked if he could be moved
next to the window. The nurse was happy
to make the switch, and after making
sure he was comfortable, she left him alone.

Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up
on one elbow to take his first look at
the real world outside. He strained to
slowly turn to look out the window
beside the bed. It faced a blank wall.

The man asked the nurse what could have
compelled his deceased roommate who had
described such wonderful things outside
this window. The nurse responded that
the man was blind and could not even see
the wall. She said, "Perhaps he just
wanted to encourage you."

Lessons:

There is tremendous happiness in making
others happy, despite our own situations.

Shared grief is half the sorrow, but
happiness when shared, is doubled.

If you want to feel rich, just count all
the things you have that money can't buy.

People will forget what you said...
People will forget what you did...
But people will never forget how you
made them feel...

Make someone happy, share a kind word today.

Today is a gift, that’s why it is called
a present.

[kimmi]

THE TEACHER’S LESSON

There is a story many years ago of an
elementary teacher. Her name was Mrs.
Thompson. As she stood in front of her
5th grade class on the very first day of
school, she told the children a lie.
Like most teachers, she looked at her
students and said that she loved them
all the same. But that was impossible,
because there in the front row, slumped
in his seat, was a little boy named
Teddy Stoddard.

Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year
before and noticed that he didn't play
well with the other children, that his
clothes were messy and that he
constantly needed a bath and Teddy could
be unpleasant. It got to the point
where Mrs. Thompson would actually take
delight in marking his papers with a
broad red pen, making bold X's and then
putting a big "F" at the top of his papers.

At the school where Mrs. Thompson
taught, she was required to review each
child's past records and she put Teddy's
off until last. However, when she
reviewed his file, she was in for a
surprise.

Teddy's first grade teacher wrote,
"Teddy is a bright child with a ready
laugh. He does his work neatly and has
good manners...he is a joy to be around."

His second grade teacher wrote, "Teddy
is an excellent student, well liked by
his classmates, but he is troubled
because his mother has a terminal
illness and life at home must be a
struggle."

His third grade teacher wrote, "His
mother's death had been hard on him. He
tries to do his best, but his father
doesn't show much interest and his home
life will soon affect him if some steps
aren't taken."

Teddy's fourth grade teacher wrote,
"Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show
much interest in school. He doesn't have
many friends and he sometimes sleeps in
class."

By now, Mrs. Thompson realized the
problem and she was ashamed of herself.
She felt even worse when her students
brought her Christmas presents, wrapped
in beautiful ribbons and bright paper,
except for Teddy's. His present was
clumsily wrapped in the heavy, brown
paper that he got from a grocery bag.
Mrs. Thompson took pains to open it in
the middle of the other presents. Some
of the children started to laugh when
she found a rhinestone bracelet with
some of the stones missing, and a bottle
that was one quarter-full of perfume.

But she stifled the children's laughter
when she exclaimed how pretty the
bracelet was, putting it on, and dabbing
some of the perfume on her wrist. Teddy
Stoddard stayed after school that day
just long enough to say, "Mrs. Thompson,
today you smelled just like my Mother
used to."
After the children left she cried for at
least an hour. On that very day, she
quit teaching reading, and writing, and
arithmetic. Instead, she began to teach
children.

Mrs. Thompson paid particular attention
to Teddy. As she worked with him, his
mind seemed to come alive. The more she
encouraged him, the faster he responded.
By the end of the year, Teddy had become
one of the smartest children in the
class and, despite her lie that she
would love all the children the same,
Teddy became one of her "teacher's pets."

A year later, she found a note under her
door, from Teddy, telling her that she
was still the best teacher he ever had
in his whole life. Six years went by
before she got another note from Teddy.
He then wrote that he had finished high
school, third in his class, and she was
still the best teacher he ever had in
his whole life.

Four years after that, she got another
letter, saying that while things had
been tough at times, he'd stayed in
school, had stuck with it, and would
soon graduate from college with the
highest of honors. He assured Mrs.
Thompson that she was still the best and
favorite teacher he ever had in his
whole life.

Then four more years passed and yet
another letter came. This time he
explained that after he got his
bachelor's degree, he decided to go a
little further. The letter explained
that she was still the best and favorite
teacher he ever had. But now his name
was a little longer-the letter was
signed, Theodore F. Stoddard, MD.

The story doesn't end there. You see,
there was yet another letter that
spring. Teddy said he'd met this girl
and was going to be married. He
explained that his father had died a
couple of years ago and he was wondering
if Mrs. Thompson might agree to sit in
the place at the wedding that was
usually reserved for the mother of the
groom. Of course, Mrs. Thompson did. And
guess what? She wore that bracelet, the
one with several rhinestones missing.
And she made sure she was wearing the
perfume that Teddy remembered his mother
wearing on their last Christmas together.

They hugged each other, and Dr. Stoddard
whispered in Mrs. Thompson's ear, "Thank
you Mrs. Thompson for believing in me.
Thank you so much for making me feel
important and showing me that I could
make a difference."

Mrs. Thompson, with tears in her eyes,
whispered back. She said, "Teddy, you
have it all wrong. You were the one who
taught me that I could make a
difference. I didn't know how to teach
until I met you."

"Friends are angels who lift us to our
feet when our wings have trouble
remembering how to fly."
===================================================

this story is really touching, It even made me cry..

[kimmi]

THE FRESHMAN

One day, when I was a freshman in high
school, I saw a kid from my class was
walking home from school. His name was
Victor. It looked like he was carrying
all of his books. I thought to myself,
"Why would anyone bring home all his
books on a Friday? He must really be a
nerd." I had quite a weekend planned
(parties and a football game with my
friends tomorrow afternoon, so I
shrugged my shoulders and went on.

As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids
running toward him. They ran at him,
knocking all his books out of his arms
and tripping him so he landed in the
dirt. His glasses went flying, and I saw
them land in the grass about ten feet
from him. He looked up and I saw this
terrible sadness in his eyes. My heart
went out to him. So, I jogged over to
him and as he crawled around looking for
his glasses, and I saw a tear in his eye.

As I handed him his glasses, I said,
"Those guys are jerks. They really
should get lives." He looked at me and
said, "Hey thanks!" There was a big
smile on his face. It was one of those
smiles that showed real gratitude. I
helped him pick up his books, and asked
him where he lived. As it turned out, he
lived near me, so I asked him why I had
never seen him before. He said he had
gone to private school before now. I
would have never hung out with a private
school kid before. We talked all the way
home, and I carried his books. He turned
out to be a pretty cool kid. I asked him
if he wanted to play football on
Saturday with me and my friends. He said
yes. We hung all weekend and the more I
got to know Victor, the more I liked
him, and my friends thought the same of him.

Monday morning came, and there was
Victor with the huge stack of books
again. I stopped him and said, "Boy, you
are gonna really build some serious
muscles with this pile of books
everyday!" He just laughed and handed me
half the books. Over the next four
years, Victor and I became best friends.
When we were seniors, we began to think
about college. Victor decided on
Georgetown , and I was going to Duke. I
knew that we would always be friends,
that the miles would never be a problem.
He was going to be a doctor, and I was
going for business on a football
scholarship.

Victor was valedictorian of our class. I
teased him all the time about being
nerd. He had to prepare a speech for
graduation. I was so glad it wasn't me
having to get up there and speak.
Graduation day, I saw Victor. He looked
great. He was one of those guys that
really found himself during high school.
He filled out and actually looked good
in glasses. He had more dates than I had
and all the girls loved him. Boy,
sometimes I was jealous. Today was one
of those days. I could see that he was
nervous about his speech. So, I smacked
him on the back and said, "Hey, big guy,
you'll be great!" He looked at me with
one of those looks (the really grateful
one) and smiled. "Thanks," he said.
As he started his speech, he cleared his
throat, and began. "Graduation is a time
to thank those who helped you make it
through those tough years. Your parents,
your teachers, your siblings, maybe a
coach...but mostly your friends. I am
here to tell all of you that being a
friend to someone is the best gift you
can give them. I am going to tell you a
story."

I just looked at my friend with
disbelief as he told the story of the
first day we met. He had planned to kill
himself over the weekend. He talked of
how he had cleaned out his locker so his
Mom wouldn't have to do it later and was
carrying his stuff home. He looked hard
at me and gave me a little smile.
"Thankfully, I was saved. My friend
saved me from doing the unspeakable. "I
heard the gasp go through the crowd as
this handsome, popular boy told us all
about his weakest moment. I saw his mom
and dad looking at me and smiling that
same grateful smile. Not until that
moment did I realize it's depth.

[kimmi]

SPECIAL DELIVERY

Sally jumped up as soon as she saw the
surgeon come out of the operating room.
She said: "How is my little boy? Is he
going to be all right? When can I see him?"

The surgeon said, "I'm sorry. We did all
we could, but your boy didn't make it."

Sally said, "Why do little children get
cancer? Doesn't God care any more?
Where were you, God, when my son needed
you?"

The surgeon asked, "Would you like some
time alone with your son? One of the
nurses will be out in a few minutes,
before he's transported to the university."

Sally asked the nurse to stay with her
while she said good-bye to son. She ran
her fingers lovingly through his thick
red curly hair. "Would you like a lock
of his hair?" the nurse asked.

Sally nodded yes. The nurse cut a lock
of the boy's hair, put it in a plastic
bag and handed it to Sally. The mother
said, "It was Jimmy's idea to donate his
body to the University for Study. He
said it might help somebody else. "I
said no at first, but Jimmy said, 'Mom,
I won't be using it after I die. Maybe
it will help some other little boy spend
one more day with his Mom." She went on,
"My Jimmy had a heart of gold. Always
thinking of someone else. Always wanting
to help others if he could."

Sally walked out of Children's mercy
Hospital for the last time, after
spending most of the last six months
there. She put the bag with Jimmy's
belongings on the seat beside her in the
car. The drive home was difficult. It
was even harder to enter the empty
house. She carried Jimmy's belongings,
and the plastic bag with the lock of his
hair to her son's room. She started
placing the model cars and other
personal things back in his room exactly
where he had always kept them. She laid
down across his bed and, hugging his
pillow, cried herself to sleep.

It was around midnight when Sally awoke.
Laying beside her on the bed was a
folded letter. The letter said:

"Dear Mom,
I know you're going to miss me; but
don't think that I will ever forget you,
or stop loving you, just 'cause I'm not
around to say I LOVE YOU. I will always
love you, Mom, even more with each day.
Someday we will see each other again.
Until then, if you want to adopt a
little boy so you won't be so lonely,
that's okay with me. He can have my room
and old stuff to play with. But, if you
decide to get a girl instead, she
probably wouldn't like the same things
us boys do. You'll have to buy her dolls
and stuff girls like, you know. Don't be
sad thinking about me. This really is a
neat place. Grandma and Grandpa met me
as soon as I got here and showed me
around some, but it will take a long
time to see everything. The angels are
so cool. I love to watch them fly. And,
you know what? Jesus doesn't look like
any of his pictures. Yet, when I saw
Him, I knew it was Him. Jesus himself
took me to see GOD! And guess what, Mom?
I got to sit on God's knee and talk to
Him, like I was somebody important.
That's when I told Him that I wanted to
write you a letter, to tell you good-bye
and everything. But I already knew that
wasn't allowed. Well, you know what Mom?
God handed me some paper and His own
personal pen to write you this letter. I
think Gabriel is the name of the angel
who is going to drop this letter off to
you. God said for me to give you the
answer to one of the questions you asked
Him 'Where was He when I needed him?'
"God said He was in the same place with
me, as when His son Jesus was on the
cross. He was right there, as He always
is with all His children.

Oh, by the way, Mom, no one else can see
what I've written except you. To
everyone else this is just a blank piece
of paper. Isn't that cool? I have to
give God His pen back now. He needs it
to write some more names in the Book of
Life. Tonight I get to sit at the table
with Jesus for supper. I'm, sure the
food will be great.

Oh, I almost forgot to tell you. I don't
hurt anymore. The cancer is all gone.
I'm glad because I couldn't stand that
pain anymore and God couldn't stand to
see me hurt so much, either. That's when
He sent The Angel of Mercy to come get
me. The Angel said I was a Special
Delivery! How about that?

Signed with Love from God, Jesus & Me

[kimmi]

THE GRADUATION PRESENT

A young man was getting ready to
graduate from college. For many months
he had admired a beautiful sports car in
a dealer's showroom, and knowing his
father could well afford it, he told him
that was all he wanted.

As Graduation Day approached, the young
man awaited signs that his father had
purchased the car. Finally, on the
morning of his graduation, his father
called him into his private study. His
father told him how proud he was to have
such a fine son, and told him how much
he loved him. He handed his son a
beautifully wrapped gift box.

Curious, and somewhat disappointed, the
young man opened the box and found a
lovely, leather-bound Bible, with the
young man's name embossed in gold.
Angry, he rose his voice to his father
and said "With all your money, you give
me a Bible?" and stormed out of the house.

Many years passed and the young man was
very successful in business. He had a
beautiful home and wonderful family, but
realized his father was very old, and
thought perhaps he should go to him now,
instead of ignoring his requests to
talk. He had not seen him since that
graduation day.

Before he could make arrangements, he
received a telegram telling him his
father had passed away, and willed all
of his possessions to his son. He needed
to come home immediately and take care
of things.

When he arrived at his father's house,
sudden sadness and regret filled his
heart. He began to search through his
father's important papers and saw the
still gift-wrapped Bible, just as he had
left it years ago. With tears flowing,
he opened the Bible and began to turn
the pages. His father had carefully
underlined a verse, Matt.7:11, "And if
ye, being evil, know how to give good
gifts to your children, how much more
shall your Heavenly Father, which is in
Heaven, give to those who ask Him?"

As he read those words, a car key
dropped from the back of the Bible. It
had a tag with the dealer's name, the
same dealer who had the sports car he
had desired. On the tag was the date of
his graduation, and the words PAID IN FULL.

How many times do we miss God's
blessings because we can't see past our
own desires?

[joebloggs]

kimmia i've only got 1hr for me lunch. not all day
still be reading these next month

[fred]

Kimmi..
I started reading the first post as a stone cold sober man..

I could see they were long post so I put out an order for 2 X RH grandes and a large frosted glass..
I`ll give you my opinions in the morning as both bottles are empty and Im still none the wiser!!

Cheers..

Fred.

[LEAHnew]

I could see they were long post so I put out an order for 2 X RH grandes and a large frosted glass..
I`ll give you my opinions in the morning as both bottles are empty and Im still none the wiser!!

Cheers..

Fred.

Hi kuya Fred,
Aside from SMB, what do u think my BF will like Dad and Uncles will expecting a drink with him for sure

cheers,
Leah

[LEAHnew]

I'll save this post Mare....we'll be reading with my kukupops if we can't travel around due for raining

22 hrs. to go gosh I'm on countdown

[fred]

Kukurokuk..

Thats a bit like me asking a girl at duty free which perfume my wife might like!!
Trust me..Ive learned my lesson!

However..Cant you make discreet enquiries as to their favourite tipple?
The R.P has some excellent rum and brandy labels..
If you manage to find out if they would like either of those I would be happy to give you my personal recommendations...
Im sure others would too.

Regards,

Fred.

[LEAHnew]

Ok Kuya Fred Thanks

[Alan]

Lovely stories Kimmi.

Al.

[wobblybob]

lovely stories Kimmi, the little boy with cancer actually made my eyes water, hit a personal note there!

[Alan]

lovely stories Kimmi, the little boy with cancer actually made my eyes water, hit a personal note there!

Am I to take it that that is what happened to your daughter Bob? Did you receive your 'letter?'

Please tell me if I am out of order here but I shall pray for her.

Al.

[wobblybob]

No mate not out of order at all been 11 years and 1 month, Cara died just before her 16th birthday of Adlt Respiratory Distress Syndrome, the story hit a note though never got a letter but I am sure that one day when I was balling my eyes out she came and cuddled up to me and told me not to worry she was happy.

[Alan]

No mate not out of order at all been 11 years and 1 month, Cara died just before her 16th birthday of Adlt Respiratory Distress Syndrome, the story hit a note though never got a letter but I am sure that one day when I was balling my eyes out she came and cuddled up to me and told me not to worry she was happy.

I am SURE she did mate. She is with you all the time!!

Al.

[fred]

Nice stories there Kimmi..
Sorry I couldn`t read them properly last night..
The words went all blurry for some reason..
Everything was fine until I cracked open that second bottle..
Will I ever learn?

[Alan]

Nice stories there Kimmi..
Sorry I couldn`t read them properly last night..
The words went all blurry for some reason..
Everything was fine until I cracked open that second bottle..
Will I ever learn?

No!

[Pepe n Pilar]

Nice stories Sis Kimmi i already have read some of them. The one entitled "Two Men" is very touching.

[kimmi]

thanks mates I am glad that u enjoy the stories that Ive posted here..

[aromulus]

Gone all soppy again.........

Next, I will be reading Mother's own.....

Where's the cyanide......????

[KeithD]

Where's the cyanide......????

Ask Fred....he drinks it by the pint