Kyle's Story.

Post 555 ~ ~ ~ Friday, 9th January, 2009.

Hi Everyone ~~ January is well under way, and it has been a hot one here. I hope it is OK wherever you are ~ with not too cold or not too hot. I had a lovely time with my granddaughter, Kate. We had a nice dinner and a good talk in the evening. Then on Thursday we went and did a little shopping - - she had to get two birthday gifts and I needed some new hanging baskets as a couple of mine are almost collapsing. So I will get to them in the next day or so. Kate will call in on Sunday on her way home.

Then on Monday, 2 dear cousins are coming for an overnight stay, so that will be really good. I am very fond of Pam and Michelle, so the talk will be non-stop I imagine. Today I have had a nephew visit, Hi Brett, and 2 neighbors, and had a 12 noon appointment at the hospital. Brett dropped me off there and I had an ulstrsound on my kidneys and the usual
bloodwork. Survived all that, but sometimes wonder if the doctors keep sending us for tests until they find something really wrong with us. I am fine.

The four pups that my son had were from a pure bred Maltese terrier mother, Fluff and the
father, Buddy is Malteze plus some shi tsu. They were so cute.

My story today was sent by my good friend Patty. Thank you Patty. It is Kyle's story.

One day when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class was walking home from school. His name was Kyle and it looked like he was carrying all of his books.

I thought to myself, "Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday? He must really be a nerd. I had quite a weekend planned (parties and a football game with my friends tomorrow afternoon) so I shrugged my shoulders and went on.

As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him. They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him, so he fell in the dirt.

His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet away from him.
He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes.. My heart went out to him. So I jogged over to him and as he crawled around looking for his glasses, I saw a tear in his eye.
As I handed him his glasses, I said, "Those guys are jerks. They really should get lives.
He looked at me and said, "Hey thanks." There was a big smile on his face. It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude.

I helped him pick up his books, and asked where he lived. As it turned out, he lived near me, so I asked why I had never seen him before. He said he had gone to a private school before now. I would never hung out with a private school kid before.

We talked all the way home, and I carried some of his books. He turned out to be a pretty cool kid. I asked him if he wanted to play football with my friends. He said yes.
We hung out all weekend and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked him, and my friends thought the same of him.

Monday morning came, and there was Kyle with the huge stack of books again. I stopped him and said, "Boy, you are gonna really build some serious muscles with this pile of books every day." He just laughed and handed me half the books.
Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends. When we were seniors, we began to think about college. Kyle decided on Georgetown and I went to Duke.

I knew we would always be friends, that the miles would ever be a problem.He was going to be a doctor, and I was going for business on a football scholarship.
Kyle was valedictorian of our class. I had teased him about beig a nerd.
He had to prepare a speech for graduation. I was so glad it wasn't me having to get up there and speak.

Graduation day, I saw Kyle. He looked great. He was one of those guys that really found himself during high school. He filled out and actually looked good in glasses.

He had more dates that I had and all the girls loved him. Boy, sometimes I was jealous.
Today was one of those days. I could see that he was nervous about his speech.
So, I smacked him on the back and said, "Hey, big guy, you'll be great."
He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and smiled. :Thanks," he said.
As he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and began - -
"Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough years.

Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach . . . but mostly your friends.
I am here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone is the best gift you can give them. I am going to tell you a story."

I just looked at my friend with disbelief as he told the story of the first day we met. He had
planned to kill himself over the weekend. He talked about how he had cleaned out his locker so his Mom wouldn't have to do it later and was carrying his stuff home.

He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile.
"Thankfully, I was saved. My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable."
I heard the gasp go through the crowd as this handsome popular boy told us all about his
weakest momet.

I saw his Mom and dad looking at me and smiling that grateful smile.
Not until that moment did I realize it's depth.

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 God in others..
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A Blonde's Year in Review. These were sent to me by my good friend, June who is a blonde by the way. Thanks June.

January ~~Took new scarf back to store because it was too tight.

February~~ Fired from pharmacy job for failing to print labels . . . Hello!!! . . . bottles won't fit in the printer.

March~~ Got reall excited ... finished jigsaw puzzle in 6 months . . Box said "2-4 years."

April ~ ~ Trapped on escalator for hours . . . power went out.

May ~ ~ Tried to make Kool-Aid . . . wrong instructions ...8 cups of water won't fit into those little packets!!!

June~~ Tried to go water skiimg ... couldn't find a lake with a slope.

July ~~ Lost breast stroke swimminf competition...learned later, the other swimmers cheated, they used their arms!!!

August ~~ Got locked out of my car in rain storm . .car swamped because soft-top was open.

September ~~ The capital of California is "C"... isn't it???

October ~ ~ Hate M & M's . . .they are so hard to peel.

November ~ ~ Baked turkey for 4 1/2 days . . instructions said 1 hour per pound and I weigh 108!!

December ~~ Couldn't call 911. duh ... there's no "eleven" button on the stupid phone!!!
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My good friend Nancy sent me the story of Wild Night at Our House. Thanks Nancy.

How True It Is.
Another year has passed, and we're all a little older.

Last summer felt hotter, andwinter seems much colder.

I rack my brain for happy thoughts, to put down on my pad.

But lots of things that come to mind, just make me kind of sad.

There was a time not long ago when life was quite a blast.

Now I understand about "living in the past."

We used to go to friend's homes.

Baseball games and lunches. Now we go to therapy, to hospitals, and after-funeral brunches.

We used to have hangovers, from parties that were gay. (did I say GAY?)

Now we suffer body aches and sleep the night away.

We used to go out dining, and couldn't get our fill.

Now we ask for doggie bags, come home and take a pill.

We used to travel often, to places near and far.

Now we get backaches from riding in the car.

We used to go out shopping, for new clothing at the Mall

But now we never bother ...All the sizes are too small.

That, my friend is how life is and now my tale is told.

So enjoy each day and live it up. Before you are too old.

You pass this way only once, so enjoy it while you can.
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The newly appointed priest was being briefed by the housekeeper on problems in the
rectory that required immediate attention.
"Your roof needs repair, Father." she said. " Your water pressure is bad and your furnace is not working."

"Now Mrs Kelly,: the priest said, "you've been the housekeeper here for five years, and I've only been here a few days. Why not say our roof and our furnace?"

Several weeks later, when the priest was meeting with the bishop and several other priests, Mrs. Kelly burst into the office terribly upset. "Father, Father," she blurted,
"there's a mouse in our room and it's under our bed." ~ ~ Doris Cypher.
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A couple of days ago, I was sitting on the patio, relaxing and drinking beer while I watched
my wife Doreen mow the lawn.
Colleen from next door saw us and was so upset that she came over and yelled at me. "You lazy man. Sitting there and drinking beer while your poor wife pushes that ancient lawn mower around. Get up off your backside and give her a break."

I thought, "Wow. . . . women." Took another swig of my beer, wiped the cold foam from my lips, lifted my sunnies stared directly at this nosey cow and told her in no uncertain terms, "Sod off and mind your own business. My wife has green fingers and she enjoys gardening."
After a few days, I felt really bad, so I went out and bought her a ride-on mower to show
my sensitive side. I am so proud of the deal I got. Doreen can now sit down while mowing
the lawn. Yes guys, after all, we should take good care of our wives -- that way way maybe they will take good care of us.
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Well, my friends, time to close for now. Take good care of yourselves and each other.
My love and best wishes to you all. Cheers, Merle.

Post 555 ~ ~ ~ Friday, 9th January, 2009,
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