===== I can't go back on my word. ==== wooden nickel

There was a man who had worked all his life and who had saved all of his money & was a real miser when it came to his money. He loved money more than JUST about anything, and just before he died, he said to his wife. "Now listen. When I die, I want you to take all my money and put it in the casket with me. I want to take my money to the afterlife with me." And so he got his wife to promise him with all of her heart that when he died; she would put all of the money in the casket with him. Well, he died. He was stretched out in the casket, his wife was sitting in black, and her friend was sitting next to her. When they finished the ceremony, just before the undertakers got ready to close the casket, the wife said, "Wait just a minute!' She had a box with her, she came over with the box and put it in the casket. Then the undertaker s locked the casket down, and they rolled it away. So her friend said, "Girl, I know you weren't fool enough to put all that money in there with your husband." She said, "Listen, I'm a Christian, I can't go back on my word. I promised him that I was going to put that money in that casket with him." "You mean to tell me you put that money in the casket with him!!!!?" "I sure did," said the wife. "I wrote him a check".

Never Underestimate The Intelligence Of A Woman

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Dear Keeper:

I grew up in the fifties with practical parents -- a Mother, God love her, who washed aluminum foil after she cooked in it, then reused it. She was the original recycle queen, before they had a name for it....

A Father who was happier getting old shoes fixed than buying new ones.

Their marriage was good, their dreams focused. Their best friends lived barely a wave away. I can see them now, Dad in trousers, tee shirt and a hat and Mom in a house dress, lawn mower in one hand, dishtowel in the other.

It was the time for fixing things -- a curtain rod, the kitchen radio, screen door, the oven door, the hem in a dress. Things we keep. It was a way of life, and sometimes it made me crazy. All that re-fixing, re-heating, renewing, I wanted just once to be wasteful.

Waste meant affluence. Throwing things away meant you knew there'd always be more. But then my Mother died, and on that clear winter's night, in the warmth of the hospital room, I was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn't any 'more.' Sometimes, what we care about most gets all used up and goes away... never to return.

So...while we have it...it's best we love it.....and care for it.....and fix it when it's broken.....and heal it when it's sick. This is true.....for marriage.....and old cars.....and children with bad report cards.....and dogs with bad hips.....and aging parents.....and grandparents.

We keep them because they are worth it, because we are worth it. Some things we keep. Like a best friend that moved away -- or -- a classmate we grew up with. There are just some things that make life important, like people we know who are special... and so, we keep them close!

I received this from someone who thought I was a 'keeper' then I sent it to the people I think of in the same way. Now it's your turn to send this to all those people that are "keepers" in your life...like you

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Brenda O'Malley is home making dinner, as usual, when Tim Finnegan arrives at her door. "Brenda, may I come in?" he asks. "I've somethin' to tell ya." "Of course you can come in, you're always welcome, Tim. But where's my husband?" "That's what I'm here to be tellin' ya, Brenda. There was an accident down at the Guiness brewery..." "Oh, God no!" cries Brenda. "Please don't tell me..." "I must, Brenda. Your husband Shamus is dead and gone. I'm sorry." Finally, she looked up at Tim. "How did it happen, Tim?" "It was terrible, Brenda. He fell into a vat of Guiness Stout and drowned." Oh my dear Jesus! But you must tell me true, Tim. Did he at least go quickly?" "Well, no Brenda... no." "No?" "Fact is, he got out three times to pee."

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What kind of world is it my friend that little children see? I wonder if they see God first because they just believe?

Do they see strength in caring eyes who watch them as they play, or maybe love through gentle hands that guide them on their way?

Do you think they dream of future times when they would be a king, or just enjoy their present life while with their friends they sing?

Do they see the acts of kindness done for people who are poor? Is the very best in everyone what they are looking for?

And when the day is over as they close their eyes to sleep, do they look forward to tomorrow with it's promises to keep?

If this is what the children see then it should be no surprise the world would be a better place if we all had children's eyes.

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Your presence is a gift to the world, You're unique and one of a kind. Your life can be what you want it to be - Take it one day at a time.

Count your blessings, not your troubles, And you'll make it through what comes along. Within you are so many answers, Understand, have courage, be strong.

Don't put limits on yourself, Your dreams are waiting to be realized. Don't leave your important decisions to chance - Reach for your peak, your goal, and your prize.

Nothing wastes more energy than worrying - The longer a problem is carried, the heavier it gets. Don't take things too seriously - Live a life of serenity, not a life of regrets.

Remember that a little love goes a long way - Remember that a lot goes forever. Remember that friendship is a wise investment, Life's treasures are people... together.

Have health and hope and happiness, Take the time to wish on a star. And don't ever forget for even a day... How very special YOU are!

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FIRST AID

It was a stifling hot day, and a man fainted in the middle of a busy intersection. Traffic quickly piled up in all directions while a woman rushed to help him. When she knelt down to loosen his collar, a man emerged from the crowd, pushed her aside, and said, "It's all right honey, I've had a course in first aid."

The woman stood up, and watched as he took the ill man's pulse and prepared to administer artificial respiration. At this point, she tapped him on the shoulder, and said, "When you get to the part about calling a doctor, I'm already here."

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Today I woke up early, excited over all I get to do before the clock strikes midnight. I have responsibilities to fulfill today. I am important. My job is to choose what kind of day I am going to have.

Today I can complain because the weather is rainy or I can be thankful that the grass is getting watered for free.

Today I can feel sad that I don't have more money or I can be glad that my finances encourage me to plan my purchases wisely and guide me away from waste.



Today I can grumble about my health or I can rejoice that I am alive.

Today I can lament over all that my parents didn't give me when I was growing up or I can feel grateful that they allowed me to be born.

Today I can cry because roses have thorns or I can celebrate that thorns have roses.



Today I can mourn my lack of friends or I can excitedly embark upon a quest to discover new relationships.

Today I can whine because I have to go to work or I can shout for joy because I have a job to do.

Today I can complain because I have to go to school or eagerly open my mind and fill it with rich new tidbits of knowledge.



Today I can murmur dejectedly because I have to do housework or I can feel honored because the Lord has provided shelter for my mind, body and soul.

Today stretches ahead of me, waiting to be shaped. And here I am, the sculptor who gets to do the shaping.

What today will be like is up to me. I get to choose what kind of day I will have!

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