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Life Is All About Choices
Author: Unknown Michael is the kind of guy you love to hate. He is always in a good mood and always has something positive to say. When someone would ask him how he was doing, he would reply, "If I were any better, I would be twins!" He was a natural motivator. If an employee was having a bad day, Michael was there telling the employee how to look on the positive side of the situation. Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went up to Michael and asked him, "I don't get it! You can't be a positive person all of the time. How do you do it?" Michael replied, "Each morning I wake up and say to myself, you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or ... you can choose to be in a bad mood. I choose to be in a good mood." Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim or... I can choose to learn from it. I choose to learn from it. Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose to accept their complaining or... I can point out the positive side of life. I choose the positive side of life. "Yeah, right, it's not that easy," I protested. "Yes, it is," Michael said. "Life is all about choices. When you cut away all the junk, every situation is a choice. You choose how you react to situations. You choose how people affect your mood. You choose to be in a good mood or bad mood. The bottom line: It's your choice how you live your life." I reflected on what Michael said. Soon hereafter, I left the Tower Industry to start my own business. We lost touch, but I often thought about him when I made a choice about life instead of reacting to it. Several years later, I heard that Michael was involved in a serious accident, falling some 60 feet from a communications tower. After 18 hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care, Michael was released from the hospital with rods placed in his back. I saw Michael about six months after the accident. When I asked him how he was, he replied, "If I were any better, I'd be twins. Wanna see my scars?" I declined to see his wounds, but I did ask him what had gone through his mind as the accident took place. "The first thing that went through my mind was the well-being of my soon-to-be born daughter," Michael replied. "Then, as I lay on the ground, I remembered that I had two choices: I could choose to live or... I could choose to die. I chose to live." "Weren't you scared? Did you lose consciousness?" I asked. Michael continued, "... the paramedics were great. They kept telling me I was going to be fine. But when they wheeled me into the ER and I saw the expressions on the faces of the doctors and nurses, I got really scared. In their eyes, I read 'he's a dead man'. I knew I needed to take action." "What did you do?" I asked. "Well, there was a big burly nurse shouting questions at me," said Michael. "She asked if I was allergic to anything. 'Yes, I replied.' The doctors and nurses stopped working as they waited for my reply. I took a deep breath and yelled,'Gravity'." Over their laughter, I told them, "I am choosing to live. Operate on me as if I am alive, not dead!" MORAL OF THE STORY: Michael lived, thanks to the skill of his doctors, but also because of his amazing attitude. I learned from him that every day we have the choice to live fully. Attitude, after all, is everything. After all, today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday. LIFE IS ABOUT THE LITTLE CHOICES WE MAKE EVERY DAY ! Smiles and Sunshine ;) |
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This is how our grandchildren see us! May I always be a light for my own as well as other's. Children are our future and they look to us to teach them the way to make the future better. smiles and sunshine ;)
What is a Grandparent? Author: Unknown Grandparents are a lady and a man who have no children of her own. So they like other people's. A grandfather is a man grandmother. Grandparents don't have to do anything except be there when we come to see them. They are so old they shouldn't play hard or run. It is good if they drive us to the store and have lots of quarters for us. When they take us for walks, they slow down past things like pretty leaves and caterpillars. They show us and talk to us about the color of the flowers and also why we shouldn't step on "cracks." They don't say, "Hurry up." Usually grandmothers are fat, but not too fat to tie your shoes. They wear glasses and funny underwear. They can take their teeth out. Grandparents don't have to be smart. They answer questions like "why isn't God married?" and "How come dogs chase cats? ". When they read to us, they don't skip. They don't mind if we ask for the same story over again. Everybody should try to have a grandmother, especially if you don't have television, because they are the only grown ups who like to spend time with us. They know we should have snack-time before bedtime and they say prayers with us every time, and kiss us even when we've acted bad. |
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Well, I hate to be the only one posting on this thread but I refuse to let it die because I think sometime it's the smile or tear or nudge that gets us through the day and if no one else needs 'em - I do. ;)
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Judged:
1 Author: Tim Reynolds It had been a very disheartening day. The doctors had given us the worst of news. Our daughter, who had just completed her first brain surgery to remove a tumor and was going through radiation treatments, was now offically given a two percent chance of survival as this type of cancer had no cure. My wife and I decided to take our daughter to lunch before continuing our afternoon conversations. We went to a local resteraunt where we sat in silence waiting for the waitress. Our daughter Molly wouldn't hear of such sadness or silence so she played happily with crayons and paper while we sat and stared at the floor. I noticed a very elderly couple sitting a few booths away, they too in silence never speaking a word. I couldn't help but wonder what challenges they had faced in their life and if they ever faced such terrible news about a child of theirs. We eventually ordered our lunch and still sitting in silence we ate what we could. At some point I became intrigued by the old couple and I watched them more intently with each passing minute. I thought to myself that they hadn't yet spoken to each other and I wondered if it was the peace they were enjoying or the food or maybe both. However, at some point I lost interest and put my focus back on my lunch. Molly was still talking away and enjoying her meal and her mom and I both listened and tried to be happy in her presence but it wasn't going very well. All of a sudden I saw this hand come out of nowhere. It was huge and I could tell that it had been afflicted with arthritis. The knuckles were swollen and the fingers were crooked and off center. I couldn't take my eyes of that hand. The hand drifted down and landed on my daughter's tiny six year old hand and as it did I looked up; it was the old woman who had been sitting with the old man in silence eating their lunch. I looked into her eyes and she spoke, but not to me. She looked at my daughter and simply whispered, "If I could do more for you I would." And then she smiled and moved away to join her husband who had moved towards the door. I heard a "Hey look, a whole dollar." Molly spoke with excitment as she discovered that the old lady had placed a crumpled one dollar bill on the back of her hand. I looked down and saw the dollar bill and quickly realized that it had been left behind by the old lady. I looked up to thank her, but she was gone. I sat stunned, not sure what had just happended and then I looked over at my wife. In almost unison, we broke out into a smile. The sadness of the day had been wiped out by the crippled hand and generous touch of an old lady. The dollar, although exciting to Molly, was not what made us smile or begin to feel differently, it was the offer from an old lady who felt our hurt and our suffering. The crippled hand symbolized a healing touch and made us realize that we did not have to fight this battle alone; that others cared and wanted to help. We felt up-lifted and soon our day filled with more happy thoughts as we spent the rest of our lunch planning the next day at home with fun filled activities for eveyone. I will never forget that crippled arthritic hand that taught us such an important lesson. One does not have to go through life facing hardships all alone; the world is full of compassionate and understanding people. Even those that are suffering from their own afflictions have much to give to each other. |
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Now nana...I cried...was not expecting it...didn't mind doing it. Thank you. |
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Supernana, the inspiration you share just blesses us all.
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1000 Marbles
Author: Unknown The older I get, the more I enjoy Saturday mornings. Perhaps it's the quiet solitude that comes with being the first to rise, or maybe it's the unbounded joy of not working. Either way, the first few hours of a Saturday morning are most enjoyable. A few weeks ago I was shuffling toward my office downstairs with a steaming cup of coffee in one hand and the morning paper in the other. This was before Reinee's knee surgery. What began as a typical Saturday morning, turned into one of those lessons that life seems to hand you from time to time. I turned the computer on in order to listen to a Saturday morning voice chat room. Along the way I came across an older-sounding chap with a tremendous golden voice. You know the kind, he sounded like he should be in the broadcasting business. He was telling whoever he was talking with something about "a thousand marbles." I was intrigued and stopped to listen to what he had to say. "Well, Tom, it sure sounds like you're busy with your job. I'm sure they pay you well, but it's a shame you have to be away from home and your family so much. Hard to believe a young fellow should have to work sixty or seventy hours a week to make ends meet. Too bad you missed your daughter's dance recital." He continued, "Let me tell you something, Tom, something that has helped me keep a good perspective on my own priorities." And that's when he began to explain his theory of a "thousand marbles." "You see, I sat down one day and did a little arithmetic. The average person lives about seventy-five years. I know, some live more and some live less, but on average, folks live about seventy-five years." "Now then, I multiplied 75 times 52 and I came up with 3900 which is the number of Saturdays that the average person has in their entire lifetime. Now stick with me, Tom, I'm getting to the important part." "It took me until I was fifty-five years old to think about all this in any detail," he went on, "and by that time I had lived through over twenty-eight hundred Saturdays. I got to thinking that if I lived to be seventy-five, I only had about a thousand of them left to enjoy." "So I went to a toy store and bought every single marble they had. I ended up having to visit three toy stores to round up 1000 marbles. I took them home and put them inside of a large, clear plastic container right here next to my gear. Every Saturday since then I have taken one marble out and thrown it away." "I found that by watching the marbles diminish, I focused more on the really important things in life. There is nothing like watching your time here on this earth run out to help get your priorities straight." "Now let me tell you one last thing before I signoff with you and take my lovely wife out for breakfast. This morning I took the very last marble out of the container. I figure if I make it until next Saturday, then I have been given a little extra time. And the one thing we can all use is a little more time." "It was nice to meet you Tom. I hope you spend more time with your family, and I hope to meet you again here on this computer chat room." You could have heard a pin drop when this fellow signed off. I had planned to work on the computer that morning, and then I was going to meet up with a few buddies for tennis. Instead, I went upstairs and woke my wife up with a kiss. "C'mon honey, I'm taking you to breakfast." "What brought this on?" she asked with a smile. "Oh, nothing special, it's just been a long time since we spent a Saturday together. Hey, can we stop at a toy store while we're out? I need to buy some marbles. |
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Joined: Aug 28, 2008 Comments: 460 |
Judged:
1 Be the change that you want to see in the world. Mohandas Gandhi A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing. George Bernard Shaw Improvement begins with I. Arnold H. Glasgow |
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Judged:
1 A womans heart should be so into God that a man has to seek him to find her. Just some little nuggets........ |
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Joined: Aug 28, 2008 Comments: 460 |
Be the kind of woman that when you're feet hit the floor in the morning the devil says,"oh no she's up!" I like it.
I got pork chop a keychain one time that said "heaven doesn't want me and hell is afraid I will take over." |
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Heaven And Hell
Author: Unknown Little Johnny had heard all about heaven and hell, about good and evil. But, being so young, it never really bothered him, and he never really thought about it. As he got a little older, and began to understand things better, he became curious. One day, he asked his mum, "Mum, what is so different about heaven and hell?" Johnny's mum pondered for a little while, then took out a piece of paper and a pencil. She drew a horizontal line across the middle of the page. On the top half, she wrote "heaven" in big letters, then drew a picture. In the bottom half, she wrote "hell", and drew another picture. She then passed the piece of paper to Johnny. Johnny looked at the pictures and first observed the one in the "heaven" part of the paper. There was a huge banquet table, and many people were seated around it. Men, women, young and old, children and old folks, all together, like one big family. Each one of them held a very long fork. It was a strange, huge fork, much bigger than any Johnny had ever seen. On the table lay a feast. The people looked well-fed, very happy and satisfied. They were talking, laughing, hugging and looked like they were having a good time. The "hell" picture was not all that different. In fact, it was almost exactly the same picture. But the people were neither talking, laughing, nor hugging. They had looks of anger, suspicion and distrust on their faces. And they were stick thin, obviously starving. Johnny was a little confused. "Mum. In hell, there is also great food lying on the table. Why do the people look so hungry? Why don't they use their forks to eat the food? The people are also sitting on big, comfortable chairs. And they are surrounded by so many people. How come they look so lonely and unhappy? They have everything the people in heaven have, so why are they so miserable?" "You see, Johnny. In hell, there is no love and trust, and the people bear grudges. The spirit of giving and sharing is also absent, the people are selfish and only think of themselves. Unfortunately, the forks are too long, and when the people use the forks to pick up the food, they are unable to reach their own mouths and put the food in. So they go hungry, and are very unhappy. These negative feelings multiply and give rise to other negative feelings, like anger and bitterness. That's why they are so miserable." "In heaven, however, the people love each other. They may have their differences and they may make mistakes, but they learn to forgive. They may have their selfish instincts, but they learn to share. They learn to give without first taking. When a man is hungry, all he has to do is ask, sometimes he doesn't even have to, and someone from across the table would use his or her fork to pick up some food and feed the hungry man. You see, Johnny, in heaven, they, too, may have forks which are too long to feed themselves. But they don't allow this slight obstacle to deter them. In heaven, Johnny, they feed each other. That's why they don't go hungry. And this spirit of giving and sharing breeds even more love, that's why everyone is so happy and satisfied with life, not just physically, but emotionally too." Each of us has the power to make life heaven or hell for someone else. Let us use this power to make heaven a place on earth. And then, we, too, will experience true heaven. I feel that each of us on this forum 'are using our forks" to feed each other. Thanks friends - sunshine and smiles ;) |
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Exactly.... |
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The Pickle Jar
The pickle jar for as far back as I can remember sat on the floor beside the dresser in my parents' bedroom. When he got ready for bed, Dad would empty his pockets and toss his coins into the jar. As a small boy I was always fascinated at the sounds the coins made as they were dropped into the jar. They landed with a merry jingle when the jar was almost empty. Then the tones gradually muted to a dull thud as the jar was filled. I used to squat on the floor in front of the jar and admire the copper and silver circles that glinted like a pirate's treasure when the sun poured through the bedroom window. When the jar was filled, Dad would sit at the kitchen table and roll the coins before taking them to the bank. Taking the coins to the bank was always a big production. Stacked neatly in a small cardboard box, the coins were placed between Dad and me on the seat of his old truck. Each and every time, as we drove to the bank, Dad would look at me hopefully.'Those coins are going to keep you out of the textile mill, son. You're going to do better than me. This old mill town's not going to hold you back.' Also, each and every time, as he slid the box of rolled coins across the counter at the bank toward the cashier, he would grin proudly 'These are for my son's college fund. He'll never work at the mill all his life like me.' We would always celebrate each deposit by stopping for an ice cream cone. I always got chocolate. Dad always got vanilla. When the clerk at the ice cream parlor handed Dad his change, he would show me the few coins nestled in his palm.'When we get home, we'll start filling the jar again.' He always let me drop the first coins into the empty jar. As they rattled around with a brief, happy jingle, we grinned at each other.'You'll get to college on pennies, nickels, dimes and quarters,' he said.'But you'll get there. I'll see to that' The years passed, and I finished college and took a job in another town. Once, while visiting my parents, I used the phone in their bedroom, and noticed that the pickle jar was gone. It had served its purpose and had been removed A lump rose in my throat as I stared at the spot beside the dresser where the jar had always stood. My dad was a man of few words, and never lectured me on the values of determination, perseverance, and faith. The pickle jar had taught me all these virtues far more eloquently than the most flowery of words could have done. When I married, I told my wife Susan about the significant part the lowly pickle jar had played in my life as a boy. In my mind, it defined, more than anything else, how much my dad had loved me. No matter how rough things got at home, Dad continued to doggedly drop his coins into the jar. Even the summer when Dad got laid off from the mill, and Mama had to serve dried beans several times a week, not a single dime was taken from the jar. To the contrary, as Dad looked across the table at me, pouring catsup over my beans to make them more palatable, he became more determined than ever to make a way out for me.'When you finish college, Son,' he told me, his eyes glistening,'You'll never have to eat beans again - unless you want to.' |
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The Pickle Jar - continued: The first Christmas after our daughter Jessica was born, we spent the holiday with my parents. After dinner, Mom and Dad sat next to each other on the sofa, taking turns cuddling their first grandchild. Jessica began to whimper softly, and Susan took her from Dad's arms.'She probably needs to be changed,' she said, carrying the baby into my parents' bedroom to diaper her. When Susan came back into the living room, there was a strange mist in her eyes. She handed Jessica back to Dad before taking my hand and leading me into the room.'Look,' she said softly, her eyes directing me to a spot on the floor beside the dresser. To my amazement, there, as if it had never been removed, stood the old pickle jar, the bottom already covered with coins. I walked over to the pickle jar, dug down into my pocket, and pulled out a fistful of coins. With a gamut of emotions choking me, I dropped the co ins into the jar. I looked up and saw that Dad, carrying Jessica, had slipped quietly into the room. Our eyes locked, and I knew he was feeling the same emotions I felt. Neither one of us could speak. This truly touched my heart. I know it has yours as well.. Sometimes we are so busy adding up our troubles that we forget to count our blessings. Never underestimate the power of your actions. With one small gesture you can change a person's life, for better or for worse. God puts us all in each other's lives to impact one another in some way. Look for Good in others. The bes t and most beautiful things cannot be seen or touched - they must be felt with the heart ~ Helen Keller - Happy moments, praise God. - Difficult moments, seek God. - Quiet moments, worship God. - Painful moments, trust God. - Every moment, thank God. |
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Joined: Aug 28, 2008 Comments: 460 |
There's something you may give
A friend and stranger too; It seems that when you give it, It's given back to you. This gift is worth a million, But doesn't cost a dime; It's lasting in effect, But doesn't take much time. This simple little gesture Can make the day worthwhile It's just as good as sunshine -- It's what we call a smile ! |
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Joined: Aug 28, 2008 Comments: 460 |
"A holy life will produce the deepest impression. Lighthouses blow no horns; they only shine." ~DWIGHT LYMAN MOODY (1837-1899)
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Joined: Aug 28, 2008 Comments: 460 |
The Lord's Prayer from God's Point of View
Person: "Our Father which art in heaven..." God: Yes,? Person: Don't interrupt me. I'm praying. God: But you called me! Person: Called you? I didn't call you. I'm praying. "Our Father which art in heaven..." God: There, you did it again. Person: Did what? God: Called me. You said, "Our Father which art in heaven." Here I am...what's on your mind? Person: But I didn't mean anything by it. I was,you know, just saying my prayers for the day. I always say the Lord's Prayer .It makes me feel good,kind of like getting a duty done. God: All right. Go on. Person: Hallowed be thy name..." God: Hold it. What do you mean by that? Person: By what? God: By "hallowed be thy name"? Person:It means...it means...good grief,I don't know what it means. How should I know? It's just a part of the prayer. By the way, what does it mean? God: It means honored, holy, wonderful. Person:Hey,that makes sense .I never thought about what "hallowed" meant before ."Thy kingdom come,thy will be done,on earth as it is in heaven." God: Do you really mean that? Person: Sure, why not? God: What are you doing about it? Person:Doing? Nothing,I guess. I just think it would be kind of neat if you got control of everything down here like you have up there. God: Have I got control of you? Person: Well, I go to church.,, God: That isn't what I asked you . What about your bad temper? You've really got a problem there, you know. And then there's the way you spend your money--all on yourself. And what about the kind of books you read? Person:Stop picking on me! I'm just as good as some of the rest of those people at the church. God:Excuse me .It thought you were praying for my will to be done. If that is to happen,it will have to start with the ones who are praying for it. Like you,for example. Person:Oh,all right .I guess I do have some hang-ups. Now that you mention it, I could probably name some others. God: So could I. Person:I haven't thought about it very much until now, but I really would like to cut out some of those things. I would like to, you know, be really free. God:Good. Now we're getting somewhere. We'll work together, you and I .Some victories can truly be won. I'm proud of you. |
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Joined: Aug 28, 2008 Comments: 460 |
cont:
Person:Look,Lord,I need to finish up here This is taking a lot longer than it usually does. "Give us this day,our daily bread." God:You need to cut out the bread. You're overweight as it is. Person:Hey,wait a minute? What is this,"Criticize me day'? Here I was doing my religious duty and all of a sudden you break in and remind me of all my hang-ups. God: Praying is a dangerous thing . You could wind up changed, you know. That's what I'm trying to get across to you. You called me, and here I am .It's too late to stop now. Keep praying,I'm interested in the next part of your prayer.. .(Pause). Well, go on. Person: I'm scared to. God: Scared? Of what? Person: I know what you'll say. God: Try me and see. Person:"Forgive us our sins,as we forgive those who sin against us." God: What about Ann? Person:See?I knew it! I knew you would bring her up! Why Lord, she's told lies about me,spread stories about my family . She never paid back the debt she owes me. I've sworn to get even with her! God: But, your prayer? What about your prayer? Person: I didn't mean it. God:Well,at least you're honest. But it's not much fun carrying that load of bitterness around inside,is it? Person:No.But I'll feel better as soon as I get even Boy,have I got some plans for that neighbor. She'll wish she had never moved into this neighborhood. God:You won't feel any better. You'll feel worse. Revenge isn't sweet. Think of how unhappy you already are .But I can change all that. Person: You can? How? God:Forgive Ann. Then I'll forgive you .Then the hate and sin will be Ann's problem and not yours. You will have settled your heart. Person: Oh, you're right,You always are .And more than I want to revenge Ann,I want to be right with you. Ann, I want to be right with you... (pause)...(sigh). All right. All right .I forgive her .Help her to find the right road in life, Lord. She's bound to be awfully miserable now that I think about it. Anybody who goes around doing the things she does to others has to be out of it . Someway, somehow, show her the right way. God: There now! Wonderful! How do you feel? Person: Hmmmmmmm. Well,not bad.Not bad at all .In fact,I feel pretty great! You know,I don't think I'll have to go to bed uptight tonight for the first time since I can remember. Maybe I won't be so tired from now on because I'm not getting enough rest. God: You're not through with your prayer. Go on... Person:Oh,all right. "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." God: Good! Good! I'll do that. Just don't put yourself in a place where you can be tempted. |
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Joined: Aug 28, 2008 Comments: 460 |
Person: What do you mean by that?
God: Don't turn on the TV when you know the laundry needs to be done and the house needs to be picked up . Also, about the time you spend coffeeing with your friends, if you can't influence the conversation to positive things, perhaps you should rethink the value of those friend-ships. Another thing ,your neighbors and friends shouldn't be your standard for "keeping up". And please don't use me for an escape hatch. Person: I don't understand the last part. God: Sure you do. you've done it a lot of times. You get caught in a bad situation.You get into trouble and then you come running to me, "Lord, help me out of this mess, and I promise you I'll never do it again." You remember some of those bargains you tried to make with me? Person: Yes and I'm ashamed, Lord. I really am. God: Which bargain are you remembering? Person: Well, there was the night that Bill was gone and the children and I were home alone. The wind was blowing so hard I thought the roof would go any minute and tornado warnings were out. I remember praying, "Oh God, if you spare us, I'll never skip my devotions again." God: I protected you, but you didn't keep your promise, did you? Person: I'm sorry, Lord, I really am. Up until now I thought that if I just prayed the Lord's Prayer every day,then I could do what I liked. I didn't expect any-thing to happen like it did. God: Go ahead and finish your prayer. Person:"For Thine is the kingdom,and the power,and the glory forever." Amen. God:Do you know what would bring me glory? What would really make me happy? Person:No,but I'd like to know. I want now to please you . I can see what a mess I've made of my life.And I can see how great it would be to really be one of your followers. God: You just answered the question. Person: I did? God: Yes. The thing that would bring me glory is to have people like you truly love me And I see that happening between us. Now that some of these old sins are exposed and out of the way,well,there is no telling what we can do together! ©1977 Author: Clyde Lee Herring, 2938 East 84th St., Tulsa, OK 74137 |
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