Translate
Real Friend, A
“You can always tell a real friend: When you’ve made a fool of
yourself he doesn’t feel you’ve done a permanent job.”
Dr. Bettie Youngs writes in Helping Kids Cope with the Stress,
Strains, Pressures of Life, about a five-year-old girl named
Norma. On the first day of kindergarten, too shy to ask the
teacher to use the bathroom and too timid to use it without first
getting permission, she wet herself. It wasn’t long before all
the other students were aware of what had happened. Most
laughed, some thinking her predicament funny and others in
nervous relief that this had happened to her and not to them
first. But one brave boy named Norm did not laugh. He got up
from his desk, walked over to Norma, and said softly, “I will
help you.” Norma said later, “We were all sitting and he was
standing, so his presence seemed almost majestic. ‘And I won’t
let them make fun of you,’ he added.”
Norma looked up at Norm and smiled in admiration. She no longer
felt alone and afraid. She had found a new friend. Still
holding her had, Norm turned to the rest of the class and kindly
asked, “How would you feel if it happened to you?” The children
sat motionless. Then Norm added, “Let’s not laugh at her
anymore, okay?” Norma concluded, “We knew we were in the
presence of courage.”
Is there someone in your life who could benefit from the
reassuring courage of your presence today?
Guardian, The
Each breath seemed to take every ounce of strength,
Every movement caused an agony of pain,
Was life worth it thought the sufferer? What can I gain?
Being a burden to all those I love and no use at all.
Troubled sleep crept over the pain weary soul,
And he dreamed a vision so fair to behold.
A large sailing ship with all her sails unfurled,
Floating so gently on a pure bright silver sea.
On board were friends long since left this life,
Dressed in long robes of the purest white.
Their faces gleaming with a perfect light
That glowed till all around him shone with joy.
‘Come my son’ His father said, ‘You have suffered
Long and hard, come join the heavenly throng
There is no pain, there is no hate or any wrong
Life is full of joy, this is where you belong’
By the shore a wicket stood barring his path,
The handiwork was of the finest gold,
An intricate pattern of leaf and flower bold,
Unknown to mere mortal men young or old.
He stopped, his hand outstretched toward the gate
For there stood its keeper, tall, strong and kind.
‘Return dear friend to earth and there your joy find,
Your time is not yet, but keep this view in mind’
He woke with pain and anguish in his weary soul,
He did not know whether he should thank or curse
The guardian of the gate, for his pain seemed worse.
That sailing ship to heaven seemed so dear to him.
A smiling nurse entered and soothed his troubled brow.
A friend stopped by with flowers and a tender prayer.
His family came and held him, it was good to see them there.
Then came a get well card for all his friends at work.
The next day he felt better and his strength return.
Through the window the sky was a vivid blue,
The flowers in the vase were lovely and he knew
He had to thank the guardian who didn’t let him through.
Ann Margetson
Oct. 29 1996
What We Share…
When we share laughter, there’s twice the fun;
When we share success, we’ve surpassed what we’ve done.
When we share problems, there’s half the pain;
When we share tears, a rainbow follows rain.
When we share dreams, they become more real;
When we share secrets, it’s our hearts we reveal.
If we share a smile, that’s when our love shows;
If we share a hug, that’s when our love grows.
If we share with someone on whom we depend,
that person is always family or friend.
And what draws us closer and makes us all care,
Is not what we have, but the things we share.
~~Author Unknown~~