~Author Unknown~

~MAY YOU ALWAYS FEEL LOVED~

~May the pain you have known and the conflict you have experienced give you the strength to walk through life facing each new situation with optimism and courage. Always know that there are those whose love and understanding will always be there, even when you feel most alone.~

~May a kind word, a reassuring touch, a warm smile be yours every day of your life, and may you give these gifts as well as receive them. Remember the sunshine when the storm seems unending.~

~Teach love to those who know hate, and let that love embrace you as you go into the world. May the teaching of those you admire become part of you, so that you may call upon them.~

~Remember, those whose lives you have touched and who have touched yours are always a part of you, even if the encounters were less than you would have wished.~

~May you not become too concerned with material matters, but instead place immeasurable value on the goodness in your heart.~

~Find time in each day to see the beauty and love in the world around you. Realize that each person has limitless abilities,but each of us is different in our own way.~

~What you may feel you lack in one regard may be more than compensated for in another. What you feel you lack in the present may become one of your strengths in the future.~

~May you see your future as one filled with promise and possibility. Learn to view everything as a worthwhile experience.~

~May you find enough inner strength to determine your own worth by yourself, and not be dependent on another's judgements of your accomplishments.~

~May YOU always feel LOVED~

~So here I come to ask you, God if you'll renew me too.!

~Forgive the many errors that I made yesterday and let me try again, dear God, to walk closer in your way.~

  ~But, Father, I am well aware I can't make it on my own.~

  ~So take my hand and hold it right for I can't walk alone.~

~Helen Steiner Rice~

~RULES FOR BEING HAPPY~

  Free your mind from worries.

  Live simply.

  Give more.

  Expect less.~

~Author Unknown~

~HER DADDY~

~But her mommy tried to tell her, that she probably should stay home Why the kids might not understand, if she went to school alone.~

~But she was not afraid; she knew just what to say What to tell her classmates, on this Daddy's Day.~

~But still her mother worried, for her to face this day alone And that was why once again, she tried to keep her daughter home.~

~But the little girl went to school, eager to tell them all About a dad she never sees, a dad who never calls.~

~There were daddies along the wall in back, for everyone to meet Children squirming impatiently, anxious in their seats.~

~One by one the teacher called, a student from the class To introduce their daddy, as seconds slowly passed.~

~At last the teacher called her name, every child turned to stare Each of them were searching, for a man who wasn't there.~

~"Where's her daddy at?" she heard a boy call out "She probably doesn't have one," another student dared to shout.~

~And from somewhere near the back, she heard a daddy say "Looks like another deadbeat dad, too busy to waste his day."~

~The words did not offend her, as she smiled at her friends And looked back at her teacher, who told her to begin.~

~And with hands behind her back, slowly she began to speak And out from the mouth of a child, came words incredibly unique.~

~"My Daddy couldn't be here, because he lives so far away But I know he wishes he could be with me on this day.~

~And though you cannot meet him, I wanted you to know All about my daddy, and how much he loves me so.~

~He loved to tell me stories, he taught me to ride my bike He surprised me with pink roses, and taught me to fly a kite.~

~We used to share fudge sundaes, and ice cream in a cone And though you cannot see him, I'm not standing all alone.~

~"Cause my daddy's always with me, even though we are apart I know because he told me, he'll forever be here in my heart."~

~With that her little hand reached up, and lay across her chest Feeling her own heartbeat, beneath her favorite dress.~

~And from somewhere in the crowd of dads, her mother stood in tears Proudly watching her daughter, who was wise beyond her years.~

~For she stood up for the love of a man not in her life Doing what was best for her, doing what was right.~

~And when she dropped her hand back down, staring straight into the crowd She finished with a voice so soft, but its message clear and loud.~

~"I love my daddy very much, he's my shining star, And if he could he'd be here, but heaven's just too far.~

~But sometimes when I close my eyes, it's like he never went away." And then she closed her eyes, and saw him there that day.~

~And to her mother's amazement, she witnessed with surprise A room full of daddies and children, all starting to close their eyes.~

~Who knows what they saw before them, who knows what they felt inside Perhaps for merely a second, they saw him at her side.~

~"I know you're with me Daddy," to the silence she called out And what happened next made believers, of those once filled with doubt.~

~Not one in that room could explain it, for each of their eyes had been closed But there placed on her desktop, was a beautiful fragrant pink rose.~

~And a child was blessed, if only a moment, by the love of her shining bright star And given the gift of believing, that heaven is never too far.~

~Author Unknown~

~THE SHOES~

~I showered and shaved, adjusted suit and tie, Got there and swung into a pew just in time. Bowing my head in humble prayer Before I closed my eyes, I saw that the shoe of the man next to me Was touching my own and I sighed. With plenty of room on either side, I thought, "why do our soles have to touch?" It bothered me so; he was glued to my shoe, But it didn't seem to bother him much.~

~Then the prayer began: "Heavenly Father," someone said. But I thought, "Does this man with the shoes have no pride?" They were dusty, worn, scratched end to end. What's worse, there were holes on the side! "Thank You for blessings," the prayer went on. The shoe man said a quiet "amen."~

~I tried to focus on the prayer, But my thoughts were on his shoes again. Aren't we supposed to look our best When walking through that door? "Well, this certainly isn't it," I thought, Glancing toward the floor.~

~Then the prayer ended and songs of praise began. The shoe man was loud, sounding proud as he sang. He lifted the rafters; his hands raised high; The Lord surely heard his voice from the sky. Then the offering was passed; what I threw in was steep. The shoe man reached into his pockets, so deep, And I tried to see what he pulled out to put in, Then I heard a soft "clink," as when silver hits tin.~

~The sermon bored me to tears, And no lie, It was the same for the shoe man, For tears fell from his eyes. At the end of the service, as is custom here, We must greet the visitors and show them good cheer. But I was moved inside to want to meet this man, So after the closing, I shook his hand.~

~He was old, his skin dark, his hair a mess. I thanked him for coming, for being our guest, He said, "My name's Charlie, glad to meet you, my friend," And there were tears in his eyes, but he had a wide grin.~

~"Let me explain," he said, wiping his eyes. "I've been coming for months, and you're the first to say, "Hi." I know I don't look like all the rest, But I always try to look my best." "I polish my shoes before my long walk, But by the time I get here they're as dirty as chalk."~

~My heart fell to my knees, but I held back my tears, He continued, "And I must apologize for sitting so near." "But I know when I get here, I must look a sight. And I thought if I touched you, our souls might unite."~

~I was silent for a moment knowing anything I said Would pale in comparison, so I spoke from my heart not my head. "Oh, you've touched me," I said. "And taught me, in part, That the best of a man is what's in his heart." The rest, I thought, this man will never know. How thankful I am that he touched my soul!~

~Author Unknown~

~CLIMB TILL YOUR DREAM COMES TRUE~

~But always remember, the hills ahead Are never as steep as they seem, And with faith in your heart start upward And climb 'till you reach you dream.~

~For nothing in life that is worthy Is ever too hard to achieve If you have the faith to believe.~

~For faith is a force that is greater Than knowledge or power or skill And many defeats turn to triumph If you trust in God's wisdom and will.~

~For faith is a mover of mountains, There's nothing that God cannot do. So start out today with faith in your heart And climb 'till your dream comes true!~

~Helen Steiner Rice~

~GIFTS OF ANGELS~

~May Angels Always Care For You And Not Let You Trip And Fall. May They Bear You Up On Angel's Wings. May They Keep You Standing Tall.!

~May They Whisper Wisdom In Our Ear. May They Touch You When You Need. May They Remove From You Each Trace Of Fear. May They Keep You From Feeling Greed.~

~May They fill You With Their Presence. May They Always Stand Beside You And Make You Ever Bold. May They Teach You What You Need To Know About Life Here And Hereafter. May They Fill You Always With Their Love And Give You The Gift Of Laughter.~

~May There Be Angels Always By Your Side Forever And Ever~

~Author Unknown~