After the divorce, her teenage daughter became
increasingly rebellious.
It culminated late one night when the police called
to tell her that she had to come to the police
station to pick up her daughter, who
was arrested for drunk driving.
They didn't speak until the next afternoon.
Mom broke the tension by giving her
daughter a small gift-wrapped box.
Her daughter nonchalantly opened it
and found a small piece of a rock.
She rolled her eyes and said,
"Cute Mom, what's this for?"
"Here's the card," Mom said.
Her daughter took the card out of the envelope and
read it. Tears started to trickle down her cheeks.
She got up and gave her mom a big hug
as the card fell to the floor.
On the card were these words:
"This rock is more than 200 million years old.
That's how long it will take
before I give up on you."

To realize the value of ONE MONTH,
ask the mother who gave birth to a premature baby.
To realize the value of ONE WEEK,
ask the editor of a weekly newspaper.
To realize the value of ONE HOUR,
ask the lovers who are waiting to meet.
To realize the value of ONE MINUTE,
ask the person who missed the train.
To realize the value of ONE SECOND,
ask the person who just avoided an accident.
To realize the value of ONE MILLISECOND,
ask the person who won a silver medal at the Olympics.
Treasure every moment that you have!
Yesterday is history.
Tomorrow is a mystery.
Today is a gift, that's why it's called the present.

My ideals about being a Woman and a Mother to my child.
It is my requirement to bring her up the best I can.
That is not an easy job in today's world.
I want her to know right from wrong.
I want her to question the answers, 
and when she believes them to be wrong,
to stand up for herself and ask for an explanation why.
If she makes a mistake, to admit it and apologize promptly.
I will encourage her to be anything that she wants to be.
Sure, she can be a Nurse, but why not be the Doctor,
or be the Lawyer instead of the Secretary?
I want her to know... she has no limits or
restrictions of who she can be.
I hope when she is my age, she is not judged on the shape of her legs,
but on the depth of her skills, and the goodness in her soul.

I want her to know that there is much, much more to a Woman than being a housewife, and if a Man tells her that is the way it is, 
to tell him to hit the road Jack!
I also want her to know, that if SHE chooses to be a housewife,
that it is a FULL TIME JOB, and should NOT be discounted.
I want her to know, that it is a crime against anyone to be assaulted,
and if it happens to her, to pack her bags and leave after the first slap.

I want her to love music and art as I do.
It is a way for her to see the world through 
the eyes and words of another.
I want her to know that bigotry and hatred are unacceptable behavior.
I want her to enjoy and understand the differences in the people of the
world, and not to judge someone because they appear different from her. Black, white, fat, thin, tall, short.
Learning that we are all different, but all bleed red,
EARLY in her life, is probably the foundation to all of the above.
The two things I want most for her in life...
First, to have common sense.
Second... to love.
To simply be able to love.

---

Things To Remember

Your presence is a present to the world.
You're unique and one of a kind.
Your life can be what you want it to be.
Take the days just one at a time.
Count your blessings, not your troubles.
You'll make it through whatever comes along.
Within you are so many answers.
Understand, have courage, be strong.
Don't put limits on yourself.
So many dreams are waiting to be realized.
Decisions are too important to leave to chance.
Reach for your peak, your goal, and your prize.
Nothing wastes more energy than worrying.
The longer one carries a problem, 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.
Realize that nothing is ever too late.
Do ordinary things in an extraordinary way.
Have health and hope and happiness.
Take the time to wish upon a star.
And don't ever forget -- for even a day
-- how very special you are.
 
 

Like the little old lady who returned
~ your wallet yesterday.
Like the taxi driver who told you that your eyes
~ light up the world, when you smile.
Like the small child who showed you
~ the wonder in simple things.
Like the poor man who offered to
~ share his lunch with you.
Like the rich man who showed you that it
~ really is all possible, if only you believe.
Like the stranger who just happened to come along,
~ when you had lost your way.
Like the friend who touched your heart,
~ when you didn't think you had one to touch.
Angels come in all sizes and shapes,
~ all ages and skin types.
Some with freckles, some with dimples,
~ some with wrinkles, some without.
They come disguised as friends, enemies,
~ teachers, students, lovers and fools.
They don't take life too seriously,
~ They travel light.
They leave no forwarding address,
~ They ask nothing in return.
They wear sneakers with gossamer wings,
~ They get a deal on dry cleaning.
They are hard to find when your eyes are
closed, but
They are everywhere you look,
~ when you choose to see.
 
 

DON'T....put a rush on me....I don't like that kind of flow.
I like to take things easy, and I like to take things slow.
I've rushed love before, just to get someone into bed.
I jump right in with both feet, and landed smack dab on my head.
People have sex before they really know one another.
After the moment has gone, they realize, 
they don't really know each other.
That's why most relationships end.
So, if you want to know me as a lover, first, 
I have to know you as a friend.

When you laugh I need to see it, 
and when you cry I need to see that too.
I should see every emotion, that makes you....you.
I must see if I can deal with it!
But, I can't do that if you don't come real with it.
That's the only lover I'm willing to accept.
If that's not good enough for you....THEN YOU CAN STEP.
I'm in no rush to see what's up around the bend.
So, if you want to know me as a lover, first, 
I have to know you as a friend.

Too many times we trade love for lust.
When the deed is done, love bites the dust.
I've learned to take my time....I'm in no hurry.
You just hold on, and we'll be fine don't you worry.
If you don't have the patience, I've got plenty to lend.
I want to know you as a lover, but first you must know me as a friend.