Bob Richards, the former pole-vault champion, shares a moving story about a skinny young boy who loved football with all his heart.

Practice after practice, he eagerly gave everything he had. But being half the size of the other boys, he got absolutely nowhere.

At all the games, this hopeful athlete sat on the bench and hardly ever played. This teenager lived alone with his father, and the two of them had a very special relationship. Even though the son was always on the bench, his father was always in the stands cheering. He never missed a game.

This young man was still the smallest of the class when he entered high school. But his father continued to encourage him but also made it very clear that he did not have to play football if he didn't want to. But the young man loved football and decided to hang in there He was determined to try his best at every practice, and perhaps he'd get to play when he became a senior.

All through high school he never missed a practice nor a game but remained a bench-warmer all four years. His faithful father was always in the stands, always with words of encouragement for him.

When the young man went to college, he decided to try out for the football team as a "walk-on." Everyone was sure he could never make the cut, but he did.

The coach admitted that he kept him on the roster because he always puts his heart and soul to every practice, and at the same time, provided the other members with the spirit and hustle they badly needed. The news that he had survived the cut thrilled him so much that he rushed to the nearest phone and called his father. His father shared his excitement and was sent season tickets for all the college games.

This persistent young athlete never missed practice during his four years at college, but he never got to play in a game. It was the end of his senior football season, and as he trotted onto the practice field shortly before the big playoff game, the coach met him with a telegram. The young man read the telegram and he became deathly silent. Swallowing hard, he mumbled to the coach, "My father died this morning. Is it all right if I miss practice today?"

The coach put his arm gently around his shoulder and said, "Take the rest of the week off, son. And don't even plan to come back to the game on Saturday."

Saturday arrived, and the game was not going well. In the third quarter, when the team was ten points behind, a silent young man quietly slipped into the empty locker room and put on his football gear. As he ran onto the sidelines, the coach and his players were astounded to see their faithful teammate back so soon.

"Coach, please let me play I've just got to play today," said the young man. The coach pretended not to hear him. There was no way he wanted his worst player in this close playoff game. But the young man persisted, and finally feeling sorry for the kid, the coach gave in. "All right," he said. "You can go in."

Before long, the coach, the players and everyone in the stands could not believe their eyes. This little unknown, who had never played before was doing everything right. The opposing team could not stop him. He ran, he passed, blocked, and tackled like a star. His team began to triumph. The score was soon tied.

In the closing seconds of the game, this kid intercepted a pass and ran all the way for the winning touchdown. The fans broke loose. His teammates hoisted him onto their shoulders. Such cheering you never heard.

Finally, after the stands had emptied and the team had showered and left the locker room, the coach noticed that this young man was sitting quietly in the corner all alone The coach came to him and said, "Kid, I can't believe it. You were fantastic! Tell me what got into you? How did you do it?"

He looked at the coach, with tears in his eyes, and said, "Well, you knew my dad died, but did you know that my dad was blind?"

The young man swallowed hard and forced a smile, "Dad came to all my games, but today was the first time he could see me play, and I wanted to show him I could do it!"

Like the athlete's father, God is always there cheering for us. He's always reminding us to go on. He's even offering us His hand for He knows what is best, and is willing to give us what we need and not simply what we want. God has never missed a single game.

What a joy to know that life is meaningful if lived for the Highest. Live for HIM for He's watching us in the game of life!

_____________________________________________ _____

RIGHT NOW:

- somebody is very proud of you. - somebody is thinking of you. - somebody is caring about you. - somebody misses you. - somebody wants to talk to you. - somebody wants to be with you. - somebody hopes you aren't in trouble. - somebody is thankful for the support you have provided. - somebody wants to hold your hand. - somebody hopes everything turns out all right. - somebody wants you to be happy. - somebody wants you to find him/her. - somebody is celebrating your successes. - somebody wants to give you a gift. - somebody thinks that you ARE a gift. - somebody hopes you're not too cold, or too hot. - somebody wants to hug you. - somebody loves you. - somebody admires your strength. - somebody is thinking of you and smiling. - somebody wants to be your shoulder to cry on. - somebody wants to go out with you and have a lot of fun. - somebody thinks the world of you. - somebody wants to protect you. - somebody would do anything for you. - somebody wants to be forgiven. - somebody is grateful for your forgiveness. - somebody wants to laugh with you. - somebody remembers you and wishes that you were there. - somebody is praising God for you. - somebody needs to know that your love is unconditional. - somebody values your advice. - somebody wants to tell you how much they care. - somebody wants to share their dreams with you. - somebody wants to hold you in their arms. - somebody wants YOU to hold them in your arms. - somebody treasures your spirit. - somebody wishes they could STOP time because of you. - somebody praises God for your friendship and love. - somebody can't wait to see you. - somebody loves you for who you are. - somebody loves the way you make them feel. - somebody wants to be with you. - somebody wants you to know they are there for you. - somebody's glad that you're his/her friend. - somebody wants to be your friend. - somebody stayed up all night thinking about you. - somebody is alive because of you. - somebody is wishing that you noticed him/her. - somebody wants to get to know you better. - somebody wants to be near you. - somebody misses your advice/guidance. - somebody has faith in you. - somebody trusts you. - somebody needs you to send them this Letter. - somebody needs your support. - somebody needs you to have faith in them. - somebody will cry when they read this. - somebody needs you to let them be your friend. - somebody hears a song that reminds them of you. - SOMEBODY NEEDS YOU TO SEND THIS TO THEM. Do you wish people to think well of you? Don't speak well of yourself.

- Blaise Pascal

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JUST CHECKING IN, JESUS:

A minister passing through his church in the middle of the day, Decided to pause by the altar and see who had come to pray.

Just then the back door opened, a man came down the aisle, The minister frowned as he saw the man hadn't shaved in quite awhile.

Well, the minister's suspicions grew, with robbery a main fear

He decided to stop the man and ask him, "Watcha' doin' here?" The old man, he worked down the road; lunch was half an hour. Lunchtime was his prayer time, for finding strength and power. "I stay only moments, see, 'cause the factory's so far away; As I kneel here talkin' to the Lord, this is kinda' what I say: "I just came again to tell you, Lord, how happy I have been, Since we found each other's friendship and you took away my sin. I don't know much of how to pray, But I think about you every day. So Jesus, this is Jim, just checkin' in."

The minister feeling foolish, told Jim, that was fine. He told the man he was welcome to come and pray just anytime.

"Time to go", Jim smiled, said "Thanks." He hurried out the door.

The minister knelt at the altar, he'd never done it before. His cold heart melted, warmed with love, met with Jesus there.

As the tears flowed, in his heart, he repeated old Jim's prayer: "I just came again to tell you, Lord, how happy I have been, Since we found each other's friendship and you took away my sin. I don't know much of how to pray, But I think about you every day. So, Jesus, this is me, just checkin' in."

Past noon one day, the minister noticed that old Jim hadn't come. As more days passed without Jim, he began to worry some. At the factory, he asked about him, learning he was ill.

The hospital staff was worried, but he'd given them a thrill. The week that Jim was with them, brought changes in the ward. His smiles, a joy contagious. Changed people, his reward. The head nurse couldn't understand why Jim was so glad, When no flowers, calls or cards came, not a visitor he had.

The minister stayed by his bed, he voiced the nurse's concern: No friends came to show they cared. He had nowhere to turn.

Looking surprised, old Jim spoke up, and with a winsome smile; " Everyday at noon He's here, a dear friend of mine, you see, He sits right down, takes my hand, leans over and says to me: 'I just came again to tell you, Jim, how happy I have been, Since we found this friendship, and I took away your sin. I always love to hear you pray,I think about you every day, And so Jim, this is Jesus, just checking' in.'"

  _____________________________________________ ____

"Be careful of the words you say.
Keep them soft and sweet 
You never know,..but what someday
  Those words you'll have to eat"

(written in Vickey Stamp's mother's year book)

_____________________________________________ _____  

End Of Day 

by Vickey Stamps

  A gentle aging loved one lay, seeking peace at the end of day A signature on her life had been signed, with a body now weak, with a face now lined. As I tucked her in, I heard her say "Lord, please give me one more day. One more day to make things right. Lord... please see me through the night. Help me to settle a troubled mind. Find me a way to sit grief behind. Erase sad memories of bygone days. Measure my worth in loving ways. Please forgive me and make me forgiving. May my life have been worth the living. Ready my mansion for I draw near. Hold me close that I feel no fear." I bent to kiss her troubled brow, and in silence prayed "Lord, teach me how. Teach me to live in such a way, I can turn to you at the end of day."

  _____________________________________________ _____

  BE CAREFUL OF WHAT YOU SAY:
(sent to me by Coppercandy)

Joel was sitting in class one day
when she walked through the door.
The sight of her made Joel's heart
crash down to the floor.

He learned her name was Autumn
and that she was free
Joel began to think
"I wonder if she'll go out with me?"

So Joel asked her out the next day
And Autumn gladly said yes
He picked her up that night
And their date was the best

They finally started going steady
And had been for almost a year
But then came that horrifying incident
The one that only a couple can fear

They got into a fight
Over one little thing
But neither of them knew
This much trouble it would bring

"I don't want to see you anymore!"
Joel screamed in Autumn's face
"Don't ever talk to me again!"
Autumn felt so out of place

"But, Joel, I'm sorry," Autumn whispered
As she tried to look into his eye.
"Just get the hell away from me!" he screamed
"I wish you would just die!"

    Autumn felt the tears
Streaming down her face
Her head began to pound
Her heart began to race

"I hate you!" Autumn yelled
As she ran out the door
She would never look at Joel again
Or love him anymore

Joel stood in the doorway
Recalling what he had said
"I can't believe," he thought
"That I wished she was dead."

He raced up to his room
And picked up his phone.
He called her house right away,
But she wasn't home.

Joel wondered where she was
Autumn lived just down the street.
He knew that he was wrong.
He was just overcome by heat

Joel got up and raced outside
To go search for his girl.
But, when he was halfway down the street
His mind became a whirl

For Autumn was lying in the street,
Blood forming all around.
Joel screamed in horror
And dropped to his knees on the ground

She had been hit by a car
Running across the street
And now she was dying.
As if claiming defeat

"Oh, Autumn," Joel whispered
His heart breaking in two
"I didn't mean what I said"
"I still love you."

Autumn looked up at Joel
Her eyes filled with fear
And down her pale cheek
Trickled one single tear

"I love you, too," she whispered
Holding him tight
Joel held in his screams
With all his might

He gently kissed her lips
And prayed silently
"Please, God," he whispered
"Don't take her away from me."

But Autumn's life was stopping
And her heart began to slow
"NO!" Joel screamed in agony
"She's not supposed to go!"

Autumn died in Joel's arms
And he knew that she was gone
"If only I had admitted sooner"
"That I was really wrong"

"I loved her with all my heart"
"I didn't want her to die."
Joel put his head in his hands
And began to cry

You never know what can happen
When you get mad and make a scene
So make sure that person knows
What you say, isn't always what you mean

So be careful what you say
Even if what you say isn't true.
Because just a few words
Can take someone away from you.

_____________________________________________ _____

Submitted by:   Peteratha
Author: Sister Helen P. Mrosla

He was in the first third grade class I taught at Saint Mary's School in Morris, Minn.

All 34 of my students were dear to me, but Mark Eklund was one in a million. Very neat in appearance, but had that happy-to-be-alive attitude that made even his occasional mischievousness delightful.

Mark talked incessantly. I had to remind him again and again that talking without permission was not acceptable. What impressed me so much, though, was his sincere response every time I had to correct him for misbehaving - "Thank you for correcting me, Sister!"

I didn't know what to make of it at first, but before long I became accustomed to hearing it many times a day. One morning my patience was growing thin when Mark talked once too often, and then I made a novice-teacher's mistake. I looked at Mark and said, "If you say one more word, I am going to tape your mouth shut!" It wasn't ten seconds later when Chuck blurted out, "Mark is talking again." I hadn't asked any of the students to help me watch Mark, but since I had stated the punishment in front of the class, I had to act on it.

I remember the scene as if it had occurred this morning. I walked to my desk, very deliberately opened by drawer and took out a roll of masking tape. Without saying a word, I proceeded to Mark's desk, tore off two pieces of tape and made a big X with them over his mouth. I then returned to the front of the room.

As I glanced at Mark to see how he was doing, he winked at me. That did it! I started laughing. The class cheered as I walked back To Mark's desk, removed the tape, and shrugged my shoulders. His first words were "Thank you for correcting me, Sister."

At the end of the year, I was asked to teach junior-high math. The years flew by, and before I knew it Mark was in my classroom again. He was more handsome than ever and just as polite. Since he had to listen carefully to my instruction in the "new math," he did not talk as much in ninth grade as he had in third.

One Friday, things just didn't feel right. We had worked hard on a new concept all week, and I sensed that the students were frowning, frustrated with themselves and the math; and edgy with one another.

I had to stop this crankiness before it got out of hand. So I asked them to list the names of the other students in the room on two sheets of paper, leaving a space between each name. Then I told them to think of the nicest thing they could say about each of their classmates and write it down. It took the remainder of the class period to finish their assignment, and as the students left the room, each one handed me the papers. Charlie smiled. Mark said, "Thank you for teaching me, Sister. Have a good weekend."

That Saturday, I wrote down the name of each student on a separate sheet of paper, and I listed what everyone else had said about that individual. On Monday I gave each student his or her list. Before long, the entire class was smiling. "Really?" I heard whispered. "I never knew that meant anything to anyone!" "I didn't know others liked me so much."

No one ever mentioned those papers in class again. I never knew if they discussed them after class or with their parents, but it didn't matter. The exercise had accomplished its purpose. The students were happy with themselves and one another again. That group of students moved on.

Several years later, after I returned from vacation, my parents met me at the airport. As we were driving home, Mother asked me the usual questions about the trip - the weather, my experiences in general. There was a lull in the conversation. Mother gave Dad a side-ways glance and simply says, "Dad?" My Father cleared his throat as he usually did before something important. "The Eklunds called last night," he began. "Really?" I said. "I haven't heard from them in years. I wonder how Mark is."

Dad responded quietly. "Mark was killed in Vietnam," he said. "The funeral is tomorrow, and his parents would like it if you could attend." To this day I can still point to the exact spot on I-494 where Dad told me about Mark. I had never seen a serviceman in a military coffin before. Mark looked so handsome, so mature. All I could think at that moment was "Mark, I would give all the masking tape in the world if only you would talk to me."

The church was packed with Mark's friends. Chuck's sister sang "The Battle Hymn of the Republic." Why did it have to rain on the day of the funeral? It was difficult enough at the graveside. The pastor said the usual prayers, and the bugler played taps.

One by one those who loved Mark took a last walk by the coffin and sprinkled it with holy water. I was the last one to bless the coffin.

As I stood there, one of the soldiers who acted as pallbearer came up to me. "Were you Mark's math teacher?" he asked. I nodded as I continued to stare at the coffin. "Mark talked about you a lot," he said.

After the funeral, most of Mark's former classmates headed to Chuck's farmhouse for lunch. Mark's mother and father were there, obviously waiting for me.

"We want to show you something," his father said, taking a wallet out of his pocket. "They found this on Mark when he was killed. We thought you might recognize it."

Opening the billfold, he carefully removed two worn pieces of notebook paper that had obviously been taped, folded and refolded many times.

I knew without looking that the papers were the ones on which I had listed all the good things each of Mark's classmates had said about him. "Thank you so much for doing that," Mark's mother said. "As you can see, Mark treasured it."

Mark's classmates started to gather around us. Charlie smiled rather sheepishly and said, "I still have my list. It's in the top drawer of my desk at home." Chuck's wife said, "Chuck asked me to put his in our wedding album." "I have mine too," Marilyn said. "It's in my diary." Then Vicki, another classmate, reached into her pocketbook, took out her wallet and showed her worn and frazzled list to the group. "I carry this with me at all times," Vicki said without batting an eyelash. "I think we all saved our lists."

That's when I finally sat down and cried. I cried for Mark and for all his friends who would never see him again.

THE END

The purpose of this story is to encourage everyone to compliment the people you love and care about. We often tend to forget the importance of showing our affections and love. Sometimes the smallest of things, could mean the most to another.

Express your love and caring by complimenting and being open with communication. The density of people in society is so thick that we forget that life will end one day. And we don't know when that one day will be. So please, I beg of you, to tell the people you love and care for, that they are special and important. Tell them, before it is too late. If you do, you will have a miraculous occurrence in your relationships.

You may find new love or have an old love rekindled.

_____________________________________________ ______

Thoughts To Live By:

Prelude to change
Before I can change anything, I have to change myself.
- Ilmar Saar

_____________________________________________ ______

~ The Dash ~
Author: Unknown

         A man who stood to speak
    at the funeral of his friend.
         He referred to the dates on her tombstone
    from the beginning...to the end.

         He noted that first came the date of her birth
    and spoke of the second with tears,
         but he said that what mattered most of all
    was the dash between those years.

         For that dash represents all the time
    that she spent alive on earth,
    and now only those who loved her
    know what that little line is worth.

         For it matters not, how much we own;
    the cars, the house, the cash.
    What matters is how we live and love
    and how we spend our dash.

         So think about this long and hard,
    are there things you'd like to change?
         For you never know how much time is left.
    (You could be at "dash mid-range.")

    If we could just slow down enough
to consider what's true and what's real,
         and always try to understand
    the way other people feel.

    And...be less quick to anger,
    and show appreciation more
    and love the people in our live
like we've never loved before.

         If we treat each other with respect,
    and more often wear a smile,
    remembering that this special dash
    might only last a little while.

         So, when your eulogy is being read
    with your life's actions to rehash...
         would you be pleased with the things they have to say
    about how you spent your dash?

_____________________________________________ ______

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT:

An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer contractor of his plans to leave the house building business and live a more leisurely life with his wife enjoying his extended family. He would miss the paycheck, but he needed to retire. They could get by.

The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go and asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favor. The carpenter said yes, but in time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work.

He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials. It was an  unfortunate way to end his career.

When the carpenter finished his work and the builder came to inspect he house, the contractor handed the front-door key to the carpenter.

"This is your house," he said, "my gift to you." What a shock! What a shame! If he had only known he was building his own  house, he would have done it all so differently.

Now he had to live in the home he had built none too well. So it is with us. We build our lives in a distracted way, reacting rather than acting, willing to put up less than the best.

At important points we do not give the job our best effort. Then with a shock we look at the situation we have created and find that we are now living in the house we have built. If we had realized, we would have done it differently.

Think of yourself as the carpenter. Think about your house.

Each day you hammer a nail, place a board, or erect a wall. Build wisely. It is the only life you will ever build.

Even if you live it for only one day more, that day deserves to be lived graciously and with dignity.

The plague on the wall says, " Life is a do-it-yourself project."

Your life today is the result of your attitudes and choices in the past.

Your life tomorrow will be the result of your attitudes and the choices you make today!

author unknown ___________________________________________

BE HAPPY WHERE YOU ARE:

Sadly, many of us continually postpone our happiness indefinitely. It's not that we consciously set out to do so, but we keep convincing ourselves, "Someday I'll be happy."

We tell ourselves we'll be happy when our bills are paid, when we get out of school, get our first job, a promotion, get through busy season (or just another work day, for that matter).

We convince ourselves that life will be better after we get married, have a baby, then another. Then we are frustrated that the kids aren't old enough - we'll be more content when they are.

After that, we're frustrated that we have teenagers to deal with - we will certainly be happy when they are out of that stage.

We tell ourselves that our life will be complete when our spouse gets his/her act together, when we get a nicer car, are able to go on a nice vacation, when we retire.

The truth is, there's no better time to be happy than right now. If not now, then when? Your life will always be filled with challenges. It's best to admit this to yourself and decide to be happy anyway.

One of my favorite quotes comes from Alfred D'Souza..."For a long time it had seemed to me that my life was about to begin - real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt yet to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life."

This perspective has helped me to see that there is no way to happiness. Happiness IS the way. So, treasure every moment that you have! And treasure it more because you shared with someone special, special enough to spend your time.

And remember that time waits for no one. Yesterday is history. Tomorrow a mystery. Today is a gift - that's why it's called the present.

So stop waiting until you finish school, until you go back to school, until you lose ten pounds, until you gain ten pounds, until you have kids, until your kids leave the house, until you start work, until you retire, until you get married, until you get divorced, until Friday night, until Sunday morning, until you get a new car or home, until your car or home is paid off, until Spring, until Summer, until Fall, until Winter, until you are off welfare, until the first or the fifteenth, until you've had a drink, until you've sobered up, until you die, until you are born again to decide that there is no better time than right now to be happy!

Happiness is a journey, not a destination. So work like you don't need the money. Love like you've never been hurt; and dance like no one's watching!!

Author Unknown

___________________________________________

TIME:

To realize the value of one year:
Ask a student who has failed a final exam.

  To realize the value of one month:
Ask a mother who has given birth to a premature baby.

                          To realize the value of one week:
Ask an editor of a weekly newspaper.

                          To realize the value of one hour:
Ask the lovers who are waiting to meet.

                          To realize the value of one minute:
Ask a person who has missed the train, bus or plane.

                          To realize the value of one second:
Ask a person who has survived an accident.

                          To realize the value of one millisecond:
Ask the person who has won a silver medal in the Olympics.

                          Time waits for no one.
Treasure every moment you have.
You will treasure it even more when you can share it with someone special.