February 3, 2002: River Crossings, Yellow Roses

Hi,

Did you watch the Superbowl? Wow, it just ended, and boy was it exciting!
I'm really glad that the New England Patriots won. It's still quite
amazing that they did so well against the Rams.

What did you think of the commercials? I didn't think they were that
funny. I think the ones I liked the most were some of the Quiznos sub
commercials.

Here are some pictures that I took back in Singapore. It's of the Avery
Dennison Christmas Party.

Avery Sing Christmas Party
http://community.webshots.com/album/30035469OtdLSNmglJ

Avery Sing Christmas 2
http://community.webshots.com/album/30037081TzsgcwdnpF

This week's thought provoking question: "If you could occupy the world
described in a novel, which would you choose?"

This week's humor and end pieces were forwarded from Angela Loo and Jenny
Feng, respectively.

Enjoy!

-Josh.
9235 N Church Dr #528
Parma Heights, OH 44130
(440) 884-1623
_________________________________

River Crossings

One day, three men were hiking and unexpectedly came upon a large raging,
violent river. They needed to get to the other side, but had no idea of
how to do so.

The first man prayed to God, saying, "Please God, give me the strength to
cross this river."
Poof! God gave him big arms and strong legs, and he was able to swim across
the river in about two hours, after almost drowning a couple of times.

Seeing this, the second man prayed to God, saying, "Please God, give me the
strength .. and the tools
to cross this river."
Poof! God gave him a rowboat and he was able to row across the river in
about an hour, after almost capsizing the boat a couple of times.

The third man had seen how this worked out for the other two, so he also
prayed to God saying, "Please God, give me the strength and the tools...and
the intelligence ... to cross this river."
And poof! God turned him into a woman. She looked at the map, hiked
upstream a couple of hundred yards, then walked across the bridge...
_________________________________

Yellow Roses

"I walked into the grocery store not particularly interested in buying
groceries. I wasn't hungry. The pain of losing my husband of 37 years was
still too raw. And this grocery store held so many sweet memories. Rudy
often came with me and almost every time he'd pretend to go off and look
for something special. I knew what he was up to. I'd always spot him
walking down the aisle with the three yellow roses in his hands.

Rudy knew I loved yellow roses. With a heart filled with grief, I only
wanted to buy my few items and leave, but even grocery shopping was
different since Rudy had passed on. Shopping for one took time, and a
little more thought than it had for two. Standing by the meat, I searched
for the perfect small steak and remembered how Rudy had loved his steak.

Suddenly a woman came beside me. She was blonde, slim and lovely in a soft
green pantsuit. I watched as she picked up a large pack of T-bones,
dropped them in her basket, hesitated, and then put them back. She turned
to go and once again reached for the pack of steaks. She saw me watching
her and she smiled. "My husband loves T-bones, but honestly, at these
prices, I don't know."

I swallowed the emotion down my throat and met her pale blue eyes. "My
husband passed away eight days ago," I told her. Glancing at the package
in her hands, I fought to control the tremble in my voice. "Buy him the
steaks. And cherish every moment you have together." She shook her head
and I saw the emotion in her eyes as she placed the package in her basket
and wheeled away.

I turned and pushed my cart across the length of the store to the dairy
products. There I stood, trying to decide which size milk I should buy. A
quart, I finally decided and moved on to the ice cream section near the
front of the store. If nothing else, I could always fix myself an ice
cream cone. I placed the ice cream in my cart and looked down the aisle
toward the front. I saw first the green suit, then recognized the pretty
lady coming towards me. In her arms she carried a package. On her face was
the brightest smile I had ever seen. I would swear a soft halo encircled
her blonde hair as she kept walking toward me, her eyes holding mine.

As she came closer, I saw what she held and tears began misting in my eyes.
"These are for you," she said and placed three beautiful long stemmed
yellow roses in my arms. "When you go through the line, they will know
these are paid for." She leaned over and placed a gentle kiss on my cheek,
and then smiled again. I wanted to tell her what she'd done, what the
roses meant, but still unable to speak, I watched as she walked away as
tears clouded my vision.

I looked down at the beautiful roses nestled in the green tissue wrapping
and found it almost unreal. How did she know? Suddenly the answer seemed
so clear. I wasn't alone. "Oh, Rudy, you haven't forgotten me, have you?
I whispered, with tears in my eyes. He was still with me, and she was his
angel.
Every day be thankful for what you have and who you are."

(Please read all of this, it is really nice)

This is a simple request. If you appreciate life, send this to your
friends, including the person that sent it to you.

Even though I clutch my blanket and growl when the alarm rings. Thank you,
Lord, that I can hear. There are many who are deaf.

Even though I keep my eyes closed against the morning light as long as
possible. Thank you, Lord, that
I can see. Many are blind.

Even though I huddle in my bed and put off rising. Thank you, Lord, that I
have the strength to rise.
There are many who are bedridden.

Even though the first hour of my day is hectic, when socks are lost, toast
is burned and tempers are short, my children are so loud. Thank you, Lord
for my family. There are many who are lonely.

Even though our breakfast table never looks like the pictures in magazines
and the menu is at times unbalanced. Thank you, Lord, for the food we have.
There are many who are hungry.

Even though the routine of my job often is monotonous. Thank you, Lord,
for the opportunity to work. There are many who have no job.

Even though I grumble and bemoan my fate from day to day and wish my
circumstances were not so modest. Thank you, Lord, for life.

Pass this on to the friends you know. It might help a bit to make this
world a better place to live, right?

A friend is someone we turn to when our spirits need a lift.

A friend is someone to treasure. For friendship is a gift.

A friend is someone who fills our lives with Beauty, Joy and Grace and
makes the world we live in a better and happier place.

YOU ARE MY FRIEND!

Please send this to every friend you have and make their day a little
brighter.