"All you touch and all you see, is all your life will ever be..."

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Gently as the evening sun says goodnight to the trees,
.....Quietly as grasses bend before a rushing breeze,
Surely as the ocean waves advance to touch the shore,
.....Silently as autumn leaves fall to the forest floor—
So may the passing of the days heal loneliness and pain,
.....Till nothing but warm memories of love and joy remain.

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TO A PHENOMENAL WOMAN
by Maya Angelou
When I was in my younger days, I weighed a few pounds less,
I needn't hold my tummy in to wear a belted dress.
But now that I am older, I've set my body free; there's comfort of elastic
Where once my waist would be.

Inventor of those high-heeled shoes my feet have not forgiven; I have to wear a nine now, but used to wear a seven.

And how about those pantyhose--they're sized by weight, you see,
So how come when I put them on the crotch is at my knee?

I need to wear these glasses as the print's been getting smaller;
And it wasn't very long ago I know that I was taller.

Though my hair has turned to gray and my skin no longer fits,
On the inside, I'm the same old me,  It's the outside's changed a bit.

But, on a positive note...
I've learned that no matter what happens, or how bad it seems today,
life does go on, and it will be better tomorrow.

I've learned that you can tell a lot a about a person by the way he/she
handles three things: a rainy day, lost luggage, and tangled Christmas tree lights.

I've learned that regardless of relationship with your parents,
you'll miss them when they're gone from your life.

I've learned that making a "living" is not the same thing as making a "life."
I've learned that life sometimes gives you a second chance.

I've learned that you shouldn't go through life with a catcher's mitt on both hands.  You need to be able to throw something back.

I've learned that whenever I decide something with an open heart, I usually make the right decision.

I've learned that even when I have pains, I don't have to be one.

I've learned that every day you should reach out and touch someone.
People love a warm hug, or just a friendly pat on the back.

I've learned that I still have a lot to learn.
I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.

************

I am not gone

If I be the first first one of us to die,
let grief not blaken long your sky.
Be bold yet modest in your grieving.
There is a change but not a leaving.
For just as death is part of life,
the dead live on forever in the living.
And all the gathered riches of our journey,
the moments shared, the mysteries explored,
the steady layering of intimacy stored,
the things that made us laugh or weep or sing,
the joy of sunlit snow or first unfurling of the spring,
the wordless language of look and touch,
the knowing,
each giving and each taking.
these are not flowers that fade,
nor trees that fall and crumble,
nor are they stone,
for even stone cannont the wind and rain withstand
and mighty mountain peaks in time reduce to sand.
What we were, we are.
What we had, we have.
A conjoined past imperishably present
so when you walk in the woods where once we walked together
and scan in vain the dappled bank beside you for my shadow,
or pause where we always did upon the hill to gaze across the
land,
and spotting something, reach by habit for my hand,
and finding none, feel sorrow start to steal upon you,
Be still.
Close your eyes.
Breathe.
Listen for my footfall in your heart.
I am not gone but merely walk within you.

Subject: Mother - Author Unknown

The young mother set her foot on the path of life. " Is this the long way?" she asked. And the guide said: "Yes, and the way is hard. And you will be old before you reach the end of it. But the end will be better than the beginning." But the young mother was happy, and she would not believe that anything could be better than these years.

So she played with her children, and gathered flowers for them along the way, and bathed them in the clear streams; and the sun shone on them, and the young Mother cried, "Nothing will ever be lovelier than this. " Then the night came, and the storm, and the path was dark, and the children shook with fear and cold, and the mother drew them close and covered them with her mantle, and the children said, "Mother, we are not afraid, for you are near, and no harm can come." And the morning came, and there was a hill ahead, and the children climbed and grew weary, and the mother was weary. But at all times she said to the children, "A little patience and we are there." So the children climbed, and when they reached the top they said, "Mother, we would not have done it without you."

And the mother, when she lay down at night looked up at the stars and said, "This is a better day than the last, for my children have learned fortitude in the face of hardness. Yesterday I gave them courage. Today I have given them strength." And the next day came strange clouds which darkened the Earth, clouds of war and hate and evil, and the children groped and stumbled, and the mother said: "Look up. Lift your eyes to the light." And the children looked and saw above the clouds an everlasting glory, and it guided them beyond the darkness. And that night the Mother said, " This is the best day of all, for I have shown my children God."

And the days went on, and the weeks and the months and the years, and the mother grew old and she was little and bent But her children were tall and strong, and walked with courage. And when the way was rough, they lifted her, for she was as light as a feather; and at last they came to a hill, and beyond they could see a shining road and golden gates flung wide. And mother said: "I have reached the end of my journey. And now I know the end is better than the beginning, for my children can walk alone, and their children after them." And the children said, You will always walk with us, Mother, even when you have gone through the gates. And they stood and watched her as she went on alone, and the gates closed after her. And they said:

"We cannot see her, but she is with us still. A Mother like ours is more than a memory. She is a living presence."

Your Mother is always with you. She's the whisper of the leaves as you walk down the street, she's the smell of bleach in your freshly laundered socks, she's the cool hand on your brow when you're not well. Your Mother lives inside your laughter and she's crystallized in every teardrop. She's the place you came from, your first home and she's the map you follow with every step you take. She's your first love and your first heartbreak, and nothing on earth can separate you...not time, not space ... not even death!

A Father's Gift

When a father takes time to share the content of his own heart -
his dreams; his doubts; his resilient hope-
he gives his child the power to believe in the possibilities of their own life.
By sharing his own humanity, he affirms their right to become all that they might imagine;
all that their heart may guide them to be.

******

He gave so much of himself to me -
his time, his trust, his tender care -
that whatever else I may become
I will always be my father's child.

Comes The Dawn - Veronica A. Shoffstall

After a while you learn the subtle difference
Between holding a hand and chaining a soul
And you learn that love doesn't mean leaning
And company doesn't mean security.
And you begin to understand that kisses aren't contracts
And presents aren't promises,
And you begin to accept your defeats
With your head held high and your eyes wide open,
With the grace of a woman, not the grief of a child.
You learn to build your roads
On today because tomorrow 's ground
Is too uncertain for plans and futures have
A way of falling down in mid-flight.
After a while you learn that even sunshine
Burns if you get too much,
So you plant your own garden and decorate
Your own soul, instead of waiting
For someone to bring you flowers.
And you learn that you really can endure.
That you really are strong
And you really do have worth and you learn and learn
With every goodbye you learn.

******

Dance Like No One's Watching - Author Unknown

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 and we'll be more content when they are. After that we're frustrated that we have teenagersto 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 or 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, 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 He said, "For a long time it had seemed to me that 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 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 it with someone special-- special enough to spend your time...and remember that time waits for no one...

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 fifteenth, until your song comes on, 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.

Thought for the day:

Work like you don't need money,

Love like you've never been hurt,

And dance like no one's watching.

******

Always remember to forget
The things that made you sad.
But never forget to remember
The things that made you glad.
Always remember to forget
The friends that proved untrue.
But never forget to remember
Those that have stuck by you.
Always remember to forget
The troubles that passed away.
But never forget to remember
The blessings that come each day.

******

8 Gifts that don't cost a cent

The gift of listenting...But you must REALLY listen. No interrupting, no daydreaming, no planning your response. Just listening.

The gift of affection... Be generous with appropriate hugs, kisses, pats on the back and handholds. Let these small actions demonstrate the love you have for family and friends.

The gift of laughter... Clip cartoons. Share articles and funny stories. Your gift will say, "I love to laugh with you".

The gift of a written note ..It can be a simple "Thanks for the help" note or a full sonnet. A brief, handwritten note may be remembered for a lifetime, and may even change a life.

The gift of a compliment... A simple and sincere, "You look great in red", "You did a super job" or "That was a wonderful meal" can make someone's day.

The gift of a favor... Every day, go out of your way to do something kind.

The gift of solitude... There are times when we want nothing better than to be left alone. Be sensitive to those times and give the gift of solitude to others.

The gift of a cheerful disposition...The easiest way to feel good is to extend a kind word to someone, really it's not that hard to say, Hello or Thank You.

******

May the Irish hills caress you.
May her lakes and rivers bless you.
May the luck of the Irish enfold you.
May the blessings of Saint Patrick behold you.
May there always be work for your hands to do,

May your purse always hold a coin or two.
May the sun always shine warm on your windowpane,
May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of a friend always be near you,
And may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.

May those who love us love us.
And those that don't love us,
May God turn their hearts.
And if He doesn't turn their hearts,
May he turn their ankles,
So we'll know them by their limping.

If I Had My Life To Live Over by Erma Bombeck

I would have talked less and listened more. I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded.

I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.

I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.

I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.

I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.

I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.

I would have cried and laughed less while watching television - and more while watching life.

I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.

I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.

I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.

Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner."

There would have been more "I love yous".. more "I'm sorrys"... but mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute...look at it and really see it... live it...and never give it back.

*****

May your heart be warm and happy
With the lilt of Irish laughter
Every day in every way
And forever and ever after.

May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face.
And rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the hollow of His hand.

May your troubles be less
And your blessings be more.
And nothing but happiness
Come through your door.

Wherever you go and whatever you do,
May the luck of the Irish be there with you.

*****

Always remember to forget
The things that made you sad.
But never forget to remember
The things that made you glad.

Always remember to forget
The friends that proved untrue.
But never forget to remember
Those that have stuck by you.

Always remember to forget
The troubles that passed away.
But never forget to remember
The blessings that come each day.

*****

We Remember Them

In the rising of the sun and in it's going down,
We remember them;

In the blowing of the wind and the cold of winter,
We remember them;

In the opening of buds and the warmth of of summer,
We remember them;

In the rustling of leaves and the beauty of autumn,
We remember them;

In the beginning of the year and when it ends,
We remember them;

When we are weary and in need of strength,
We remember them;

When we are lost and sick at heart,
We remember them;

When we have joys we yearn to share,
We remember them;

So long as we live, they too shall live, for they are now a part of us as
We remember them.

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"Wherever you are - know I really love you
wherever you've been --know I've been there too
Whatever you're doing when you need a friend
call me, I'll be there just to listen to you "

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