Ann

Jen, I am so very sorry. Please know that my heart goes out to you.

Beth...I understand.

Beth and Family..I pray that you will find peace and comfort in knowing that Bill is no longer suffering. Please know that I share your sorrow.

Amen.

Saying lots of prayers for your mom, Amie.

Janet, like Shirley said, the void in your life is still very fresh and you are still in various stages of grieving. Some people think that our loved ones appearance to us will be very obvious to us. That is sometimes true. But, Janet, your mom IS with you. She lives in your heart. You're a part of her and she's now a part of you. When I lost my mom, I could feel her in my heart. Give yourself time to realize what has happened. Every time you think of your mom, she will be alive. Think and talk about good times and relive all of those wonderful memories you have of time together. I know that, given time, you will know that your mom is right there with you!

Karen, you're never rambling on, so don't even go there. Lady, I have to day that you're one tough cookie. I do believe that God has one hand right there on your shoulder to help you through these tough times. I am so glad you did the lights and rreally glad that your mom got by to see them. I know how very proud she must be of you. Although I never had a daughter (always wanted one) I think it's a great thing to raise daughters to be strong. Sometimes, people think that only boys need to be tough. Boy, as widows (what an ugly sounding word), can we prove that theory wrong! Karen, thanks for being such an inspiration for us all!

Pat, thank you so very much for sharing this update on Beth and Bill. I talked with her yesterday (PM) and found that things were not going well for Bill. I pray that God will not allow him to suffer while on his journey. I know how this suffering is tearing Beth in two. It is so very hard to see someone you love in this amount of pain. Beth, please know that we are here for you and are not ceasing in our prayer effort. I am lighting a candle right now for you and Bill. Pat...I also will offer prayers for you and Brian. You are such a generous and loving soul, thinking of others and their troubles right now when I am sure your heart is also very heavy. Please let us know how you and Brian are doing.

The Pink Dress There was this old woman sitting by herself in the park. Everyone passed by her and never stopped to see why she looked so sad. Dressed in a worn pink dress, barefoot and dirty, the woman just sat and watched the people go by. She never tried to speak. She never said a word. Many people passed by her, but no one would stop. The next day I decided to go back to the park in curiosity to see if the woman would still be there. Yes, she was there, right in the very spot where she was yesterday, and still with the same pink dress and sad look in her eyes. Today I was to make my own move. I decided to walk over to the woman. For as we all know, a park full of strange people is not a place for old woman to just sit alone. As I got closer I could see the back of the woman's dress was grotesquely shaped. I figured that was the reason people just passed by and made no effort to speak to her. Deformities are a low blow to our society and, heaven forbid if you make a step toward assisting someone who is different. As I got closer, the woman lowered her eyes slightly to avoid my intent stare. As I approached her, I could see the shape of her back more clearly. She was grotesquely shaped in a humped-over form. I smiled to let her know it was OK; I was there to help, to talk. I sat down beside her & opened with a simple, "Hello." The woman acted shocked, and stammered a "Hi," after a long stare into my eyes. I smiled and she shyly smiled back. We talked until darkness fell and the park was completely empty. As we talked I asked the woman why she was so sad. The woman looked at me with a sad face and said, "Because I'm different." I immediately said, "That you are!" and smiled. The woman then acted even sadder and said, "I know." "Miss," I said, "you remind me of an angel, sweet and innocent." She looked at me and smiled, then slowly she got to her feet and said,"Really?" "Yes, you're like a beautiful Guardian Angel sent to watch over all those people walking by." She nodded her head yes and smiled. With that she opened the back of her pink dress and allowed her wings to spread, then she said "I am. I'm your Guardian Angel," with a twinkle in her eye. I was speechless -- sure I was seeing things. She said, "For once you thought of someone other than yourself! My job here is done." I got to my feet and said, "Wait, why did no one stop to help an angel?" She looked at me, smiled, and said, "You're the only one that could see me," and then she was gone. And with that, my life was changed dramatically. So, when you think you're all you have, remember, your angel is always watching over you! --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

After reading my post, I have to add this. My Dennis also had a wonderful sense of humor. He always found something light hearted in even the worst of situations. People around him were always laughing after listening to his stories. I just read my post and I can just hear Dennis saying....almost like he's whispering in my ear... Wow...after that description of me, I can see why she loves that damned golden retriever. Accepting, loyal, faithful and big brown eyes!!! Gang...that would definitely be a Dennis King statement, so laugh along, please!

Dennis was certainly the best thing that ever happened to me. He was able to put up with all my many flaws. He was faithful and loyal...always true He had the most beautiful brown eyes in the entire world

1. Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead. Do not walk ahead of me, for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me, either. Leave me the hell alone. 2. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a broken fan belt and a leaky tire. 3. It's always darkest before dawn. So if you're going to steal your neighbor's newspaper, that's the time to do it. 4. sex is like air. It's not important unless you aren't getting any. 5. Don't be irreplaceable. If you can't be replaced, you can't be promoted. 6. No one is listening until you make a mistake. 7. Always remember you're unique. Just like everyone else. 8. Never test the depth of the water with both feet. 9. It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others. 10. It is far more impressive when others discover your good qualities without your help. 11. If you think nobody cares if you're alive, try missing a couple of car payments. 12. Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes. 13. If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you. 14. Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him how to fish, and he will sit in a boat & drink beer all day. 15. If you lend someone $20, and never see that person again, it was probably worth it. 16. Don't squat with your spurs on. 17. If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything. 18. If you drink, don't park; accidents cause people. 19. Some days you are the bug, some days you are the windshield. 20. Don't worry, it only seems kinky the first time. 21. Good judgment comes from bad experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment. 22. The quickest way to double your money is to fold it in half and put it back in your pocket. 23. Timing has an awful lot to do with the outcome of a rain dance. 24. A closed mouth gathers no foot. 25. Duct tape is like the force. It has a light side & a dark side, and it holds the universe together. 26. There are two theories to arguing with women. Neither one works. 27. Generally speaking, you aren't learning much when your mouth is moving. 28. Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it. 29. Never miss a good chance to shut up. 30. We are born naked, wet, and hungry. Then things get worse.

40 things you will never hear a redneck say 40. Oh I just couldn't, she's only sixteen. 39. I'll take Shakespeare for 1000, Alex. 38. Duct tape won't fix that. 37. Honey, I think we should sell the pickup and buy a family sedan. 36. Come to think of it, I'll have a Heineken. 35. We don't keep firearms in this house. 34. Has anybody seen the sideburns trimmer? 33. You can't feed that to the dog. 32. I thought Graceland was tacky. 31. No kids in the back of the pickup, it's just not safe. 30. Wrasslin's fake. 29. Honey, did you mail that donation to Greenpeace? 28. We're vegetarians. 27. Do you think my gut is too big? 26. I'll have grapefruit and grapes instead of biscuits and gravy. 25. Honey, we don't need another dog. 24. Who gives a damn who won the Civil War? 23. Give me the small bag of pork rinds. 22. Too many deer heads detract from the decor. 21. Spittin is such a nasty habit. 20. I just couldn't find a thing at Wal-Mart today. 19. Trim the fat off that steak. 18. Cappuccino tastes better than espresso. 17. The tires on that truck are too big. 16. I'll have the arugula and radicchio salad. 15. I've got it all on the C: drive. 14. Unsweetened tea tastes better. 13. Would you like your fish poached or broiled? 12. My fiance, Bobbie Jo, is registered at Tiffany's. 11. I've got two cases of Zima for the Super Bowl. 10. Little Debbie snack cakes have too many fat grams. 9. Checkmate. 8. She's too young to be wearing a bikini. 7. Does the salad bar have bean sprouts? 6. Hey, here's an episode of "Hee Haw" that we haven't seen. 5. I don't have a favorite college team. 4. Be sure to bring my salad dressing on the side. 3. You All. 2. Those shorts ought to be a little longer. And, Number ONE is: 1. Nope, no more for me. I'm driving tonight.

Ladies this has to be read, laughed at and passed on. There is not a woman alive today who won't crack up over this! I was due for an appointment with the gynecologist later in the week. Early one morning, I received a call from the doctor's office to tell me that I had been rescheduled for that morning at 9:30 am. I had only just packed everyone off to work and school, and it was already around 8:45 am. The trip to his office took about 35 minutes, so I didn't have any time to spare. As most women do, I like to take a little extra effort over hygiene when making such visits, but this time I wasn't going to be able to make the full effort. So, I rushed upstairs, threw off my pajamas, wet the washcloth that was sitting next to the sink, and gave myself a quick wash in 'that area' to make sure I was at least presentable. I threw the washcloth in the clothes basket, donned some clothes, hopped in the car and raced to my appointment. I was in the waiting room for only a few minutes when I was called in. Knowing the procedure, as I'm sure you do, I hopped up on the table, looked over at the other side of the room and pretended that I was in Paris or some other place a million miles away. I was a little surprised when the doctor said, "My, we have made an extra effort this morning, haven't we?" I didn't respond. After the appointment, I heaved a sigh of relief and went home. The rest of the day was normal ... some shopping, cleaning, cooking, etc. After school when my 6 year old daughter was playing, she called out from the bathroom, "Mommy, where's my washcloth?" I told her to get another one from the cupboard. She replied, "No, I need the one that was here by the sink, it had all my glitter and sparkles saved inside it."

Frank...this is so cute. I will have to share it with my two future DIL's. Both are teachers!

Prayers can and do work! I am so glad to hear that your brother is doing so much better. Rest assured that I will continue to remember him in my prayers!

Well, after yesterdays question, I see that a lot of you think that you have (had)the perfect mate already. So...if you're one of those people that have already found your perfect mate, please tell us what three characteristics they have that make (made) them so wonderful.

Oh Kasey, thanks so much for reminding us of this post. I can still remember reading it the first time. I am so sorry that all of our members didn't get to "meet" DeanCarl. He was such a wonderful man, full of compassion and wonderful words. He always had such a great outlook on life and never felt sorry for himself or questioned the path he had been given to walk. I know that I miss him terribly and think of him almost every day. I remember how he loved talking about the Rainbow Bridge. I have so many PM's from him that I am unable to delete and go back to read over and over.

I'm just replying to bump this post to the top. I'm just so worried about Larry and his wife. It's not at all like him not to be posting.

Leslie, remember we're all here for you. I know this is tough news to hear with Mark being away. You're a real fighter and I just know that you're going to be fine. I don't have any first hand experience with WBR but I do have broad shoulders and am good at listening. I'm also getting very good at saying lots of prayers. You and Mark will certainly remain on my list! Just remember that we're all cheering you on!

Thanks guys! I can always count on my LCSC friends to get my spirits lifted. You are all so very kind and understanding and you make me realize that I am not alone in my grieving! I am feeling much better today and plan on keeping very busy for the next three weeks. I plan on putting forth all of the effort I have to actually remember good times and not dwell on the bad. When I stop and count all that I have to be grateful for, I am amazed. God gave me 25 years with a wonderful husband who I learned so much from. Dennis would not want me to be down and depressed, especially during the holidays. Christmas was his absolute favorite time of year and although I'm alone, I'm sure Christmas from his view must be truly amazing!!! Besides...I will never be alone as long as I have friends like all of you! Thanks for the boost!

Aime...George Strait did a great movie called Pure Country. Gal...you need to expand your horizons...lol! Country music men have got lots of charm...class...charisma.

Sorry to hear this news but it seems that you have an oncologist who is ready and willing to keep fighting. That's the great part! I'm keeping both of you in my prayers.

Cindi...could this have anything at all to do with the fact that Curious George can hang by his tail????

After reading this, I think you can all pretty well guess whose face I am seeing. PS...he signs my paycheck every week...lol Just in case you are having a rough day, here is a stress management technique recommended in all the latest psychological texts. The funny thing is that it works. 1. Picture yourself near a stream. 2. Birds are softly chirping in the cool mountain air. 3. No one knows your secret place. 4. You are in total seclusion from the hectic place called the world. 5. The soothing sound of a gentle waterfall fills the air with a cascade of serenity. 6. The water is crystal clear. 7. You can easily make out the face of the person you are holding underwater. See. You're smiling already.