To: Fred Thornell who wrote (37573 ) 1/9/2000 5:57:00 PM From: JRSwails Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 44908
OT...."FRIENDS"...A Good Read..... Mark was walking home from school one day when he noticed the boy ahead of him had tripped and dropped all of the books he was carrying, along with two sweaters, a baseball bat, a glove and a small tape recorder. Mark knelt down and helped the boy pick up the scattered articles. Since they were going the same way, he helped to carry part of the burden. As they walked, Mark discovered the boy's name was Sam, that he loved video games, baseball and history, and that he was having lots of trouble with his other subjects. He had also just broken up with his girlfriend. They arrived at Sam's home first, and Mark was invited in for a Coke, and to watch some television. The afternoon passed pleasantly with a few laughs and some shared small talk, then Mark went home. They continued to see each other around school, had lunch together once or twice, then both graduated from junior high school. They ended up in the same high school where they had brief contacts over the years. Finally the long-awaited senior year came and three weeks before graduation, Sam asked Mark if they could talk. Sam reminded him of the day years ago when they had first met. "Did you ever wonder why I was carrying so many things home that day?" asked Sam. "You see, I cleaned out my locker because I didn't want to leave a mess for anyone else. I had stored away some of my mothers sleeping pills and I was going home to commit suicide. But after we spent some time together talking and laughing, I realized that if I had killed myself, I would have missed that time and so many others that might follow. So you see, Mark, when you picked up those books that day, you did a lot more.... you saved my life." Every little hello, every little smile, every helping hand saves a hurting heart. Pass it on. There's a miracle called Friendship that dwells in the heart. You don't know how it happens or when it gets started but, you know the special lift it always brings and you realize that Friendship Is God's most precious gift! Friends are a very rare jewel, indeed. They make you smile and encourage you to succeed. They lend an ear, they share a word of praise and they always want to open their heart to us. Show your friends how much you care..... There might be someone in your life right now that is like Sam. They hurt and they just need a friend! Here's to friends......may we always at least have one, Regards, Jerry ..................... GO TSIG GO P.S. Fred...I feel your pain...(Lions)...My Cowboys lost today. There's always next year.... JRS