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To everyone who is in my life no matter how briefly, I just>>> want to make sure to say:>>> THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.>>> ONCE YOU READ THIS YOU WILL UNDERSTAND! A young man learns> what's most important in life from>>> the guy next door.>>> It had been some time since Jack had seen the old man.>>> College, girls, career, and life itself got in the way. In> fact, Jack moved clear across the country in pursuit of his> dreams. There, in the rush of his busy life, Jack had> little time to think about the past and often no time to> spend with his wife and son. He was working on his future,> and nothing could stop him.>>> Over the phone, his mother told him, "Mr. Belser died>>> last night. The funeral is Wednesday." Memories flashed> through his mind like an old newsreel as he sat quietly> remembering his childhood days. "Jack, did you hear me?">>> "Oh, sorry, Mom. Yes, I heard you. It's been so long>>> since I thought of him. I'm sorry, but I honestly thought he> died years ago," Jack said.>>> "Well, he didn't forget you. Every time I saw him he'd>>> ask how you were doing. He'd reminisce about the many days> you spent over 'his side of the fence' as he put it," Mom> told him.>>> "I loved that old house he lived in," Jack said.>>> "You know, Jack, after your father died, Mr. Belser>>> stepped in to make sure you had a man's influence in your> life," she said "He's the one who taught me carpentry," he> said. "I wouldn't be in this business if it weren't for> him. He spent a lot of time teaching me things he thought> were important...Mom, I'll be there for the funeral," Jack > said.>>> As busy as he was, he kept his word. Jack caught the>>> next flight to his hometown. Mr. Belser's funeral was small> and uneventful. He had no children of his own, and most of> his relatives had passed away.>>> The night before he had to return home, Jack and his Mom>>> stopped by to see the old house next door one more time.>>> Standing in the doorway, Jack paused for a moment. It>>> was like crossing over into another dimension, a leap> through space and time.>>> The house was exactly as he remembered. Every step held> memories. Every>>> picture, every piece of furniture....Jack stopped suddenly.>>> "What's wrong, Jack?" his Mom asked.>>> "The box is gone," he said>>> "What box?" Mom asked.>>> "There was a small gold box that he kept locked on top>>> of his desk. I must have asked him a thousand times what was> inside. All he'd ever tell me was 'the thing I value> most,'" Jack said.>>> It was gone. Everything about the house was exactly how>>> Jack remembered it, except for the box. He figured someone> from the Belser family had taken it.>>> "Now I'll never know what was so valuable to him," Jack>>> said. "I better get some sleep. I have an early flight home,> Mom." It had been about two weeks since Mr. Belser died>>> Returning home from work one day Jack discovered a note in> his mailbox. "Signature required on a package. No one at> home. Please stop by the main post office within the next> three days," the note read.>>> Early the next day Jack retrieved the package. The small box> was old and looked like it had been mailed a hundred years> ago. The handwriting was difficult to read, but the return> address caught his attention. "Mr. Harold Belser" it read.> Jack took the box out to his car and ripped open the> package. There inside was the gold box and an>>> envelope. Jack's hands shook as he read the note inside.>>> "Upon my death, please forward this box and its contents>>> to Jack Bennett. It's the thing I valued most in my life." A> small key was taped to the letter. His heart racing, as> tears filling his eyes, Jack carefully unlocked the box.> There inside he found a beautiful gold pocket watch.>>> Running his fingers slowly over the finely etched casing,>>> he unlatched the cover. Inside he found these words engraved:>>> "Jack, Thanks for your time! -Harold Belser.">>> "The thing he valued most was...my time">>> Jack held the watch for a few minutes, then called his>>> office and cleared his appointments for the next two days.> "Why?" Janet, his assistant asked.>>> "I need some time to spend with my son," he said.>>> "Oh, by the way, Janet, thanks for your time!">>> "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take>>> but by the moments that take our breath away,">>> Think about this. You may not realize it, but it's 100% true.>>> 1. At least 2 people in this world love you so much they> would die for you.>>> 2. At least 15 people in this world love you in some way.>>> 3. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if>>> they don't like you.>>> 4. Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go>>> to sleep.>>> 5. You mean the world to someone.>>> 6. If not for you, someone may not be living.>>> 7. You are special and unique.>>> 8. When you think you have no chance of getting what you>>> want, you probably won't get it, but if you trust God to do> what's best, and wait on His time, sooner or later, you> will get it or something better.>>> 9. When you make the biggest mistake ever, something>>> good can still come from it.>>> 10. When you think the world has turned its back on you,>>> take a look: you most likely turned your back on the world.>>> 11. Someone that you don't even know exists, loves you.>>> 12. Always remember the compliments you received. Forget>>> about the rude remarks.>>> 13 . Always tell someone how you feel about them; you>>> will feel much better when they know and you'll both be happy.>>> 14. If you have a great friend, take the time to let>>> them know that they are great.>>> Send this letter to all the people you care about, if>>> you do so, you will certainly brighten someone's day and> might change their perspective on life..for the better.>>> To everyone I sent this to " Thanks for your time">>>

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The daughter of a Soldier>> Last week I was in Atlanta, Georgia attending a conference. While I was> in the airport,> returning home, I heard several people behind me beginning to clap and> cheer. I> immediately turned around and witnessed one of the greatest act's of> patriotism I have> ever seen.>> Moving thru the terminal was a group of soldiers in their camo's, as> they began heading to> their gate everyone (well almost everyone) was abruptly to their feet> with their hands> waving and cheering. When I saw the soldiers, probably 30-40 of them,> being applauded and> cheered for it hit me. I'm not alone. I'm not the only red blooded> American who still> loves this country and supports our troops and their families.>> Of course I immediately stopped and began clapping for these young> unsung heroes who are> putting their lives on the line everyday for us so we can go to school,> work and home> without fear or reprisal. Just when I thought I could not be more proud> of my country or> of our service men and women a young girl, not more than 6 or 7 years> old, ran up to one> of the male soldiers. He kneeled down and said "hi," the little girl> then she asked him if> he would give something to her daddy for her. The young soldier, he> didn't look any older> than maybe 22 himself, said he would try and what did she want to give> to her daddy. Then> suddenly the little girl grabbed the neck of this soldier, gave him the> biggest hug she> could muster and then kissed him on the cheek.>> The mother of the little girl, who said her daughters name was Courtney,> told the young> soldier that her husband was a Marine and had been in Iraq for 11 months> now. As the mom> was explaining how much her daughter, Courtney, missed her father, the> young soldier began> to tear up. When this temporarily single mom was done explaining her> situation, all of the> soldiers huddled together for a brief second. Then one of the other> servicemen pulled out> a military looking walkie-talkie. They started playing with the device> and talking back> and forth on it.>> After about 10-15 seconds of this, the young soldier walked back over to> Courtney, bent> down and said this to her, "I spoke to your daddy and he told me to give> this to you." He> then hugged this little girl that he had just met and gave her a kiss on> the cheek. He> finished by saying "your daddy told me to tell you that he loves you> more than anything> and he is coming home very soon.">> The mom at this point was crying almost uncontrollably and as the young> soldier stood to> his feet he saluted Courtney and her mom. I was standing no more than 6> feet away from> this entire event unfolded. As the soldiers began to leave, heading> towards their gate,> people resumed their applause. As I stood there applauding and looked> around, their were> very few dry eyes, including my own. That young soldier in one last act> of selflessness,> turned around and blew a kiss to Courtney with a tear rolling down his> cheek.>> We need to remember everyday all of our soldiers and their families and> thank God for them> and their sacrifices. At the end of the day, it's good to be an> American.>>> Red Friday> Just keeping you "in the loop" so you'll know what's going on in case> this takes off.>> RED FRIDAYS ----- Very soon, you will see a great many people wearing> Red every Friday.> The reason? Americans who support our troops used to be called the> "silent majority". We> are no longer silent, and are voicing our love for God, country and home> in record> breaking numbers. We are not organized, boisterous or over-bearing. We> get no liberal> media coverage on TV, to reflect our message or our opinions.>> Many Americans, like you, me and all our friends, simply want to> recognize that the vast> majority of America supports our troops.> Our idea of showing solidarity and support for our troops with dignity> and respect starts> this Friday -and continues each and every Friday until the troops all> come home, sending a> deafening message that.. Every red-blooded American who supports our men> and women afar> will wear something red.>> By word of mouth, press, TV -- let's make the United States on every> Friday a sea of red> much like a homecoming football game in the bleachers.>> If every one of us who loves this country will share this with> acquaintances, co-workers,> friends, and family. It will not be long> before the USA is covered in RED and it will let our troops know the> once "silent"> majority is on their side more than ever, certainly more than the media> lets on.>> The first thing a soldier says when asked "What can we do to make things> better for you?"> is...We need your support and your prayers.>> Let's get the word out and lead with class and dignity, by example; and> wear something red> every Friday.>> IF YOU AGREE -- THEN SEND THIS ON> IF YOU COULD CARE LESS THEN HIT THE DELETE BUTTON --- IT IS YOUR CHOICE.> WE LIVE IN THE> LAND OF THE FREE, ONLY BECAUSE OF THE BRAVE.>> THEIR BLOOD RUNS RED---- SO WEAR RED! --- MAY GOD HELP AMERICA TO BECOME> ONE NATION, UNDER> GOD.>> HAVE A GREAT DAY.>

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August 9, 2006Quote of the Day"Perseverance is a great element of success. If you only knock long enough and loud enough at the gate, you are sure to wake up somebody."– Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
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About Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, a beloved American poet of the 19th century, is best known for "The Song of Hiawatha" and "Evangeline." He was born in Maine in 1807. He knew Latin by the age of six, and when he taught at Bowdoin College, he wrote the textbooks himself. He courted his second wife while teaching at Harvard and frequently walked the several miles from Cambridge to Boston across the West Boston Bridge. The bridge that replaced it was named the Longfellow Bridge in his honor. He died in 1882.

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Aspirin vs. a Lady-Killer: Can You Prevent Heart Disease?Though often associated with men, heart disease is a leading cause of death among women. Taking preventive measures like exercising and eating well are the keys to good heart health, but did you know taking an aspirin each day can also help you avoid heart attack and stroke? Learn more.

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IMPORTANT INFO ABOUT AREA CODE> >> > We actually received a call last week from the 809> > area code. The woman> > said "Hey, this is Karen. Sorry I missed you--get> > back to us quickly. I Have> > something important to tell you." Then she repeated> > a phone number beginning> > with 809 "We didn't respond".> >> > Then this week, we received the following e-mail:> >> > Subject: DON'T EVER DIAL AREA CODE 809 , 284 AND> > 876> >> > THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION PROVIDED TO US BY> > AT&T. DON'T EVER DIAL> > AREA CODE 809> >> > This one is being distributed all over the US . This> > is pretty scary,> > especially given the way they try to get you to> > call.> > Be sure you read this and pass it on.> > They get you to call by telling you that it is> > information about a family> > member who has been ill or to tell you someone> > has-been arrested, died, or> > to let you know you have won a wonderful prize, etc.> >> > In each case, you are told to call the 809 number> > right away. Since there> > are so many new area codes these days, people> > unknowingly return these> > calls.> >> >> >> >> >> > If you call from the US , you will apparently be> > charged $2425 per-minute> >> >> >> >> > Or, you'll get a long recorded message. The point> > is, they will try to keep> > you on the phone as long as possible to increase the> > charges. Unfortunately,> > when you get your phone bill, you'll often be> > charged more than $24,100.00.> >> >> > WHY IT WORKS:> >> >> >> >> >> > The 809 area code is located in the British Virgin> > Islands (The Bahamas).> >> >> > The charges afterwards can become a real nightmare> > That's because you did> > actually make the call. If you complain, both your> > local phone company and> > your long distance carrier will not want to get> > involved and will most> > likely tell you that they are simply providing the> > billing for the foreign> > company. You'll end up dealing with a foreign> > company that argues they have> > done nothing wrong.> >> > Please forward this entire message to your friends,> > family and colleagues to> > help them become aware of this scam> >> > Sandi Van Handel> > AT&T Field Service Manager> >> >> > (920)687-904> >> > Additional information on these area codes can be> > found from ATT at:> >> >> >> http://www.consumer.att.com/consumertips/areacodehtml> >