My Father

My father had given me so much, in so many ways, and now I wanted to give something to him. How about the 100-meter gold medal from 1984? It is the one thing I could give him to represent all the good things we did together, all the positive things that had happened to me because of him.

I had never before taken any of medals out of the bank vault where I kept them. But that day, on the way to the airport, I stopped at the bank to get the medal, and I put it in the pocket of my suit jacket. I would take it to New Jersey - for Dad. The day of the funeral, when our family was viewing the body, I pulled out the medal to place in my father's hand. My mother asked me if I was sure I wanted to bury the medal, and I was. It would be my father's forever, "But I'm going to get another one," I told my mother. Turning to my father, I said, "Don't worry, I'm going to get another one." That was a promise - to myself and to Dad. He was lying there so peacefully, his hands resting on his chest. When I placed the medal in his hand, it fit perfectly.

By Carl Lewis from A Cup Of Chicken Soup for the Soul. Copyright 1996 by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor hansen & Barry Spilchuk

Two Things Not To Worry About

In my life, I have found there are two things about which I should never worry. First, I shouldn't worry about the things I can't change. If I can't change them, worry is certainly most foolish and useless. Second, I shouldn't worry about the things I can change. If I can change them, then taking action will accomplish far more than wasting my energies in worry. Besides, it is my belief that, 9 times our of 10, worrying about something does more danger than the thing itself. Give worry its rightful place - out of your life.

By Source Unknown from Chicken Soup for the Surviving Soul. Copyright 1996 by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Patty Aubrey & Nancy Mitchell, R.N.

If I Had My Life To Live Over

I'd dare to make more mistakes next time.

I'd relax, I would limber up.

I would be sillier than I have been this trip.

I would take fewer things seriously.

I would take more chances.

I would take more trips.

I would climb more mountains and swim more rivers.

I would eat more ice cream and less beans.

I would perhaps have more actual troubles but I'd have fewer imaginary ones.

You see, I'm one of those people who live sensibly and sanely hour after hour, day after day.

Oh, I've had my moments and if I had it to do over again, I'd have more of them. In fact, I'd try to have nothing else. Just moments.

One after another, instead of living so many years ahead of each day.

I've been one of those people who never go anywhere without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a raincoat and a parachute.

If I had my life to live over, I would start barefoot earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall.

If I had to do again, I would travel lighter next time.

I would go to more dances.

I would ride more merry-go-rounds.

I would pick more daisies.

By Nadine Stair (age 85) from Condensed Chicken Soup for the Soul. Copyright 1996 by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen & Patty Hansen

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