Dominant in relationships. Someone loves them right now. Always wants the last word.Caring. Smart. Loud. Loyal. Easy to talk to. Everything you ever wanted. Easy to please.The one and only.

SCORPIO – The Addict

EXTREMELY adorable. Intelligent. Loves to joke. Very Good sense of humor. Energetic.Predict future. GREAT kisser. Always get what they want. Attractive. Easy going. Lovesbeing in long relationships. Talkative. Romantic. Caring.

LIBRA – The Lame One

Nice to everyone they meet. Their Love is one of a kind. Silly, fun and sweet. Have own unique appeal. Most caring person you will ever meet! however not the kind of person you wanna mess with … u might end up crying.

ARIES – The Liar

Outgoing. Lovable. Spontaneous. Not one to mess with. Funny. Excellent kisser EXTREMELY adorable. Loves relationships, Addictive. Loud.

AQUARIUS – Does It In The Water

Trustworthy. Attractive. Great kisser. One of a kind. Loves being in long-term relationships. Extremely energetic. Unpredictable. Will exceed your expectations. Not a Fighter, But will Knock your lights out.

GEMINI – Irresistible

Nice. Love is one of a kind. Great listeners Very Good in the you know where… Lover not a fighter, but will still knock you out. Trustworthy. Always happy. Loud. Talkative. Outgoing VERY FORGIVING. Loves to make out. Has a beautiful smile. Generous. Strong. THE MOST IRRESISTIBLE.

LEO – The Lion

Great talker. Attractive and passionate. Laid back. Knows how to have fun. Is really good at almost anything. Great kisser. Unpredictable. Outgoing. Down to earth. Addictive. Attractive. Loud. Amazing in the you know where..!!! Loves being in long relationships. Talkative. Not one to mess with. Rare to find. Good when found.

CANCER – The Cutie

MOST AMAZING KISSER. Very high appeal. Love is one of a kind. Very romantic. Most caring person you will ever meet! Entirely creative. Extremely random and proud of it. Freak. Spontaneous. Great telling stories. Not a Fighter, But will Knock your lights out if it comes down to it.

PISCES – The Partner for Life

Caring and kind. Smart. Center of attention. High appeal. Has the last word. Good to find, hard to keep. Fun to be around. Extremely weird but in a good way. Good Sense of Humor!!! Thoughtful. Always gets what he or she wants. Loves to joke. Very popular. Silly, fun and sweet.

CAPRICORN – The Passionate Lover

Love to bust. Nice. Sassy. Intelligent. Sexy. Predict future. Irresistible. Loves being in long relationships. Great talker. Always gets what he or she wants. Cool. Loves to own Gemini’s in sports.Extremely fun. Loves to joke. Smart.

TAURUS – The Tramp

Aggressive. Loves being in long relationships. Likes to give a good fight for what they want. Extremely outgoing. Loves to help people in times of need. Good kisser. Good personality. Stubborn. A caring person. One of a kind. Not one to mess with. Are the most attractive people on earth!

SAGITTARIUS – The Promiscuous One

Spontaneous. High appeal. Rare to find. Great when found. Loves being in long relationships. So much love to give. Not one to mess with. Very pretty. Very romantic.

When I was in my twenties, I stood in a hospital corridor waiting for doctors to put a few stitches in my son’s head. I asked, “When do you stop worrying?” The nurse said, “When they get out of the accident stage.” My mother just smiled faintly and said nothing.

When I was in my thirties, I sat on a little chair in a classroom and heard how one of my children talked incessantly, disrupted the class, and was headed for a career making license plates. As if to read my mind, a teacher said, “Don’t worry, they all go through this stage and then you can sit back, relax and enjoy them.” My mother just smiled faintly and said nothing.

When I was in my forties, I spent a lifetime waiting for the phone to ring, the cars to come home, the front door to open. A friend said, “They’re trying to find themselves. Don’t worry, in a few years, you can stop worrying. They’ll be
adults.” My mother just smiled faintly and said nothing.

By the time I was 50, I was sick & tired of being vulnerable. I was still worrying over my children, but there was a new wrinkle.. There was nothing I could do about it. My mother just smiled faintly and said nothing. I continued to anguish over their failures, be tormented by their frustrations and absorbed in their disappointments.

My friends said that when my kids got married I … could stop worrying and lead my own life. I wanted to believe that, but I was haunted by my mother’s warm smile and her occasional, “You look pale. Are you alright? Call me the minute you get home. Are you depressed about something?”

Can it be that parents are sentenced to a … lifetime of worry? Is concern for one another handed down like a torch to blaze the trail of human frailties and the fears of the unknown? Is concern a curse or is it a virtue that elevates us to the highest form of life?

One of my children became quite irritable recently, saying to me, “Where were you? I’ve been calling for 3 days, and no one answered I was worried.” I smiled a warm smile. The torch has been passed.

January 01 – 09 ~ Dog
January 10 – 24 ~ Mouse
January 25 – 31 ~ Lion
February 01 – 05 ~ Cat
February 06 – 14 ~ Dove
February 15 – 21 ~ Turtle
February 22 – 28 ~ Panther
March 01 – 12 ~ Monkey
March 13 – 15 ~ Lion
March 16 – 23 ~ Mouse
March 24 – 31 ~ Cat
April 01 – 03 ~ Dog
April 04 – 14 ~ Panther
April 15 – 26 ~ Mouse
April 27 – 30 ~ Turtle
May 01 – 13 ~ Monkey
May 14 – 21 ~ Dove
May 22 – 31 ~ Lion
June 01 – 03 ~ Mouse
June 04 – 14 ~ Turtle
June 15 – 20 ~ Dog
June 21 – 24 ~ Monkey
June 25 – 30 ~ Cat
July 01 – 09 ~ Mouse
July 10 – 15 ~ Dog
July 16 – 26 ~ Dove
July 27 – 31 ~ Cat
August 01 – 15 ~ Monkey
August 16 – 25 ~ Mouse
August 26 – 31 ~ Turtle
September 01 – 14 ~ Dove
September 15 – 27 ~ Cat
September 28 – 30 ~ Dog
October 01 – 15 ~ Monkey
October 16 – 27 ~ Turtle
October 28 – 31 ~ Panther
November 01 – 16 ~ Lion
November 17 – 30 ~ Cat
December 01 – 16 ~ Dog
December 17 – 25 ~ Monkey
December 26 – 31 ~ Dove

If you are a Dog: A very loyal and sweet person. Your loyalty can never be doubted. You are quite honest and sincere when it comes to your attitude towards working. You are a very simple person, indeed. Absolutely hassle free, humble and down-to-earth!! That explains the reason why your friends cling on to you! You have a good taste for clothes. If your wardrobe is not updated with what is trendy, you sure are depressed. Popular and easy-going. You have a little group of dignified friends, all of them being quality-personified.

If you are a Mouse: Always up to some sort of a mischief! The mischievous gleam in your eyes is what makes you so cute and attractive to everyone. You are an extremely fun-to-be-with kind of person. No wonder, people seek for your company and look forward to include you for all get-together. However, you are sensitive, which is a drawback. People need to select their words while talking to you. If someone tries to fiddle around and play with words while dealing with you, it is enough to invite your wrath. God blesses the person then!

If you are a Lion: Quite contradictory to your name, you are a peace loving person. You best try to avoid a situation wherein you are required to fight. An outdoor person, you dislike sitting at one place for a long duration. You are a born leader, and have it in you how to tactfully derive work from people. You love being loved, and when you receive your share of limelight from someone, you are all theirs!!!! Well, well…hence some people could even take an advantage, flatter you to the maximum and get their work done. So be careful…..

If you are a Cat: An extremely lovable, adorable person, sometimes shy, with a passion for quick wit. At times, you prefer quietness. You love exploring various things and going into depth of each thing. Under normal circumstances you’re cool, when given a reason to, you are like a volcano waiting to erupt. You’re a fashion bird. People look forward to you as an
icon associated with fashion. Basically, you mingle along freely but don’t like talking much to strangers. People feel very easy in your company. You observe care in choosing your friends.

If you are a Turtle: You are near to perfect and nice at heart. The examples of your kindness are always circulated in groups of people. You, too love peace. You wouldn’t like to retaliate even to a person who is in the wrong. You are loved due to this. You do not wish to talk behind one’s back. People love the way you always treat them. You can give, give and give love, and the best part is that you do not expect it back in return. You are generous enough. Seeing things in a practical light is what remains the best trait of you guys.

If you are a Dove: You symbolize a very happy-go-lucky approach in life. Whatever the surroundings may be, grim or cheerful, you remain unaffected. In fact, you spread cheer wherever you go. You are the leader of your group of friends and good at consoling people in their times of need. You dislike hypocrisy and tend to shirk away from hypocrites. They can never be in your good books, no matter what. You are very methodical and organized in your work. No amount of mess, hence, can ever encompass you. Beware, it is easy for you to fall in love….

If you are a Panther: You are mysterious. You are someone who can handle pressure with ease, and can handle any atmosphere without going berserk. You can be mean at times, and love to gossip with your selected group. Very prim and proper. You like all situations and things to be in the way you desire, which, sometimes is not possible. As a result, you may lose out in some relationships. But otherwise, you love to help people out from difficult and tight spots when they really need you.

If you are a Monkey: Very impatient and hyper!!! You want things to be done as quickly as possible. At heart, you are quite simple and love if you are the center of attraction. That way, you people are unique. You would like to keep yourself safe from all the angles. Shall your name be dragged or featured in any sort of a controversy, you then go all panicky. Therefore, you take your precautions from the very beginning. When you foresee anything wrong, your sixth sense is what saves you from falling in traps. Quite a money minded bunch you people are!!

Okay, first get a piece of paper and label it from 1-9. Now remember, you need to take serious thought into these questions! No cheating-don’t scroll down until you have answered all the questions!!

1. What is your favorite out of these three?
a. cat b. bird c. dog

2. What is your favorite color?
a. pink b. white c. black

3. Name a friend of the same sex.

4. Name a friend of the opposite sex.

5. Do you like the mountains, or beach better?

6. Do you like to watch the sun rise or the sunset?

7. What’s your favorite number from 1-10?

8. What is your favorite plant?
a. red rose b. fern c. a dead one

9. What is your favorite season?
a. Spring b. Winter c. Summer

Scroll down for the answers

**********************************************************************
Okay, now for the results:

1. a.) cat: you love yourself the most.
b.) bird: you like hearing yourself talk.
c.) dog: you put others before yourself.

2. a.) pink: you’re outgoing.
b.) white: you’re classical.
c.) black: you’re living on the edge.

3. This person is your lucky star.

4. You’ll become very, very close friends with this person.

5. a.) mountains: fast paced lifestyle.
b.) beach: slow paced lifestyle.

6. a.) sunrise: you’re a morning person and you get more done.
b.) sun set: you’re a romantic and you fall in and out of crushes slowly.

7. The number you picked is how many people it will take before you find your true love.

8. a.) red rose : your life will be beautiful but sometimes thorny.
b.) fern: your life will be predictable and safe.
c.) a dead one: your one sick person!

9. a.) spring: you’re hopelessly romantic. >
b.) winter: you’re a hugging kind of person.
c.) summer: you’re a bare-all kind of person!

.

His name was Fleming, and he was a poor Scottish farmer. One day, while trying to make a living for his family, he heard a cry for help coming from a nearby boy. He dropped his tools and ran to the boy.

There, mired to his waist in black muck, was a terrified boy, screaming and struggling to free himself. Farmer Fleming saved the lad from what could have been a slow and terrifying death.

The next day, a fancy carriage pulled up to the Scotsman’s sparse surroundings An elegantly dressed nobleman stepped out and introduced himself as the father of the boy Farmer Fleming had saved.

‘I want to repay you,’ said the nobleman. ‘You saved my son’s life.’

‘No, I can’t accept payment for what I did,’ the Scottish farmer replied waving off the offer. At that moment, the farmer’s own son came to the door of the family hovel.

‘Is that your son?’ the nobleman asked.

‘Yes,’ the farmer replied proudly.

‘I’ll make you a deal. Let me provide him with the level of education my own son will enjoy. If the lad is anything like his father, he’ll no doubt grow to be a man we both will be proud of.’ And that he did.

Farmer Fleming’s son attended the very best schools and in time, graduated from St. Mary’s Hospital Medical School in London, and went on to become known throughout the world as the noted Sir Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of Penicillin.

Years afterward, the same nobleman’s son who was saved from the bog was stricken with pneumonia.

What saved his life this time? Penicillin..

The name of the nobleman? Lord Randolph Churchill. His son’s name?

Sir Winston Churchill.

Someone once said: What goes around comes around.

Work like you don’t need the money.

Love like you’ve never been hurt.

Dance like nobody’s watching.

Sing like nobody’s listening.

Live like it’s Heaven on Earth.

AN IRISH FRIENDSHIP WISH: Good Luck!!

May there always be work for your hands to do;
May your purse always hold a coin or two;
May the sun always shine on your windowpane;
May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain;
May the hand of a friend always be near you;
May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.

Love begins with our thoughts. We become what we think about. Loving thoughts create loving experiences and loving relationships. Affirmations can change our beliefs and thoughts about others and ourselves. If we want to love someone, we need to consider their needs and desires. Thinking about your ideal partner will help you recognize her when you meet her.

The Second Secret – The Power Of Respect

You cannot love anyone or anything unless you first respect them. The first person you need to respect is yourself. To begin to gain self-respect asks yourself, “What do I respect about myself?” To gain respect for others, even those you may dislike, ask yourself “What do I respect about them?”

The Third Secret – The Power Of Giving

If you want to receive love, all you have to do is give it! The more love you give, the more you will receive. To love is to give of yourself freely and unconditionally. Practice random acts of kindness. Before committing to a relationship ask not what the other person will be able to give to you, but rather what will you be able to give them. The secret formula of a happy, lifelong, loving relationship is to always focus on what you can give instead of what you can take.

The Fourth Secret – The Power Of Friendship

To find a true love, you must first find a true friend. Love does not consist of gazing into each other’s eyes, but rather looking outward together in the same direction. To love someone completely you must love them for who they are, not what they look like. Friendship is the soil through which love’s seeds grow. If you want to bring love into a relationship, you must first bring friendship.

 The Fifth Secret – The Power Of Touch

Touch is one of the most powerful expressions of love, breaking down barriers and bonding relationships. Touch changes our physical and emotional states and makes us more receptive to love.
The Sixth Secret – The Power Of Letting Go

If you love something, let it free. If it comes back to you it’s yours, if it doesn’t, it never was. Even in a loving relationship, people need their own space. If we want to learn to love, we must first learn to forgive and let go of past hurts and grievances. Love means letting go of our fears, prejudices, egos and conditions. “Today I let go of all my fears, the past has no power over me – today is the beginning of a new life.”

The Seventh Secret – The Power Of Communication

When we learn to communicate openly and honestly, life changes. To love someone is to communicate with them. Let the people you love know that you love them and appreciate them. Never be afraid to say those three magic words: “I Love you.” Never let an opportunity pass to praise someone. Always leave someone you love with a loving word – it could be the last time you see them. If you were about to die but could make telephone calls to the people you loved, who would you call, what would you say and.. Why are you waiting?

The Eighth Secret – The Power Of Commitment

If you want to have love in abundance, you must be committed to it, and that commitment will be reflected in your thoughts and actions. Commitment is the true test of love. If you want to have loving relationships, you must be committed to loving relationships. When you are committed to someone or something, quitting is never an option. Commitment distinguishes a fragile relationship from a strong one.

The Ninth Secret – The Power Of Passion

Passion ignites love and keeps it alive. Lasting passion does not come through physical attraction alone; it comes from deep commitment, enthusiasm, interest and excitement. Passion can be recreated by recreating past experiences when you felt passionate. Spontaneity and surprises produce passion. The essence of love and happiness are the same; all we need to do is to live each day with passion.

 The Tenth Secret – The Power Of Trust

Trust is essential in all loving relationships. Without it one person becomes suspicious, anxious and fearful and the other person feels wrapped and emotionally suffocated. You cannot love someone completely unless you trust them completely. Act as if your relationship with the person you love will never end. One of the ways you can tell whether a person is right for you is to ask yourself, “Do I trust them completely and unreservedly ?” If the answer is “no”, think carefully before making a commitment.
 

* Forecast #2: Fashion will go wired as technologies and tastes converge to revolutionize the textile industry. Researchers in smart fabrics and intelligent textiles (SFIT) are working with the fashion industry to bring us color-changing or perfume-emitting jeans, wristwatches that work as digital wallets, and running shoes like the Nike +iPod that watch where you’re going (possibly allowing others to do the same). Powering these gizmos remains a key obstacle. But industry watchers estimate that a $400 million market for SFIT is already in place and predict that smart fabrics could revitalize the U.S. and European textile industry.

* Forecast #3: The threat of another cold war with China, Russia, or both could replace terrorism as the chief foreign-policy concern of the United States. Scenarios for what a war with China or Russia would look like make the clashes and wars in which the United States is now involved seem insignificant. The power of radical jihadists is trivial compared with Soviet missile capabilities, for instance. The focus of U.S. foreign policy should thus be on preventing an engagement among Great Powers.

* Forecast #4: Counterfeiting of currency will proliferate, driving the move toward a cashless society. Sophisticated new optical scanning technologies could, in the next five years, be a boon for currency counterfeiters, so societies are increasingly putting aside their privacy fears about going cashless. Meanwhile, cashless technologies are improving, making them far easier and safer to use.

* Forecast #5: The earth is on the verge of a significant extinction event. The twenty-first century could witness a biodiversity collapse 100 to 1,000 times greater than any previous extinction since the dawn of humanity, according to the World Resources Institute. Protecting biodiversity in a time of increased resource consumption, overpopulation, and environmental degradation will require continued sacrifice on the part of local, often impoverished communities. Experts contend that incorporating local communities’ economic interests into conservation plans will be essential to species protection in the next century.
* Forecast #6: Water will be in the twenty-first century what oil was in the twentieth century. Global fresh water shortages and drought conditions are spreading in both the developed and developing world. In response, the dry state of California is building 13 desalination plants that could provide 10%-20% of the state’s water in the next two decades. Desalination will become more mainstream by 2020.

* Forecast #7: World population by 2050 may grow larger than previously expected, due in part to healthier, longer-living people. Slower than expected declines of fertility in developing countries and increasing longevity in richer countries are contributing to a higher rate of population growth. As a result, the UN has increased its forecast for global population from 9.1 billion people by 2050 to 9.2 billion.

* Forecast #8: The number of Africans imperiled by floods will grow 70-fold by 2080. The rapid urbanization taking place throughout much of Africa makes flooding particularly dangerous, altering the natural flow of water and cutting off escape routes. If global sea levels rise by the predicted 38 cm by 2080, the number of Africans affected by floods will grow from 1 million to 70 million.

* Forecast #9: Rising prices for natural resources could lead to a full-scale rush to develop the Arctic. Not just oil and natural gas, but also the Arctic’s supplies of nickel, copper, zinc, coal, freshwater, forests, and of course fish are highly coveted by the global economy. Whether the Arctic states tighten control over these commodities or find equitable and sustainable ways to share them will be a major political challenge in the decades ahead.

* Forecast #10: More decisions will be made by nonhuman entities. Electronically enabled teams in networks, robots with artificial intelligence, and other noncarbon life-forms will make financial, health, educational, and even political decisions for us. Reason: Technologies are increasing the complexity of our lives and human workers’ competency is not keeping pace well enough to avoid disasters due to human error.

Nanotechnology Breakthroughs of the Next 15 Years
Nanotechnology — the manipulation of materials and machines at the nano-scale — one billionth of a meter — promises exciting new developments. Interviews with a group of nanotechnology experts yielded this list of likely developments:
Two to five years from now:

1. Car tires that need air only once a year.
2. Complete medical diagnostics on a single computer chip.
3. Go-anywhere concentrators that produce drinkable water from air.

Five to 10 years

1. Powerful computers you can wear or fold into your wallet.
2. Drugs that turn AIDS and cancer into manageable conditions.
3. Smart buildings that self-stabilize during earthquakes or bombings.

10 to 15 years

1. Artificial intelligence so sophisticated you can’t tell if you’re talking on the phone with a human or a machine.
2. Paint-on computer and entertainment video displays.
3. Elimination of invasive surgery, since bodies can be monitored and repaired almost totally from within.

Can you imagine this is happening in INDIA?

The govt. wants people to use this tool to highlight the problems they faced while dealing with Government officials or departments like Passport Office, Electricity board, BSNL/MTNL, Railways etc.

I know many people will say that these things don’t work in India, but this actually works as one of our colleague in CSC found. The guy I’m talking about lives in Faridabad. Couple of months back, the Faridabad Municipal Corporation laid new roads in his area and the residents were very happy about it. But 2 weeks later, BSNL dug up the newly laid roads to install new cables which annoyed all the residents including this guy. But it was only this guy! Who used the above listed grievance forum to highlight his concern. And to his surprise, BSNL and Municipal Corporation of Faridabad were served a show because notice and the guy received a copy of the notice in one week. Government has asked the MC and BSNL about the goof up as it’s clear that both the government departments were not in sync at all.

So use this grievance forum and educate others who don’t know about this facility.  This way we can at least raise our concerns instead of just talking about the ‘ System ‘ in India.

Invite your friends to contribute for many such happenings.

PLEASE SPREAD THIS MESSAGE IF U WANT OUR INDIA TO CHANGE.

And the little girl said, “No, Dad. You hold my hand.”

“What’s the difference?” asked the puzzled father

“There is a big difference,” replied the little girl. “Dad, if I hold your hand and something happens to me, chances are that I may let your hand go. But, if you hold my hand, I know for sure that no matter what happens, you will never let my hand go.”

The Sandpiper by Robert Peterson

She was six years old when I first met her on the beach near where I live. I drive to this beach, a distance of three or four miles, whenever the World begins to close in on me. She was building a sand castle or something and looked up, her eyes as blue as the sea.

‘Hello,’ she said. I answered with a nod, not really in the mood to bother with a small child. ‘I’m building,’ she said.

‘I see that. What is it?’ I asked, not really caring.’Oh, I don’t know, I just like the feel of sand.’

That sounds good, I thought, and slipped off my shoes.A sandpiper glided by.

‘That’s a joy,’ the child said.’It’s a what?’ ‘It’s a joy. My mama says sandpipers come to bring us joy.’

The bird went gliding down the beach. Good-bye joy, I muttered to myself,hello pain, and turned to walk on. I was depressed, my life seemed completely out of balance.

‘What’s your name?’ She wouldn’t give up. ‘Robert,’ I answered. ‘I’m Robert Peterson.’

‘Mine’s Wendy… I’m six.’ ‘Hi, Wendy.’ She giggled. ‘You’re funny,’ she said.

In spite of my gloom, I laughed too and walked on. Her musical giggle followed me.

‘Come again, Mr. P,’ she called. ‘We’ll have another happy day.’

The next few days consisted of a group of unruly Boy Scouts, PTA meetings,and an ailing mother.
The sun was shining one morning as I took my hands out of the dishwater.

I need a sandpiper, I said to myself, gathering up my coat.

The ever-changing balm of the seashore awaited me. The breeze was chilly but I strode along, trying to recapture the serenity I needed.

‘Hello, Mr. P,’ she said. ‘Do you want to play?’ ‘What did you have in mind?’ I asked, with a twinge of annoyance.

‘I don’t know. You say…’ ‘How about charades?’ I asked sarcastically. The tinkling laughter burst forth again.
‘I don’t know what that is.’ ‘Then let’s just walk.’

Looking at her, I noticed the delicate fairness of her face. ‘Where do you live?’ I asked. ‘Over there.’
She pointed toward a row of summer cottages. Strange, I thought, in winter.

‘Where do you go to school?’ ‘I don’t go to school. Mommy says we’re on vacation.’

She chattered little girl talk as we strolled up the beach, but my mind was on other things. When I left for home, Wendy said it had been a happy day. Feeling surprisingly better, I
smiled at her and agreed.

Three weeks later, I rushed to my beach in a state of near panic. I was in no mood to even greet Wendy. I thought I saw her mother on the porch and felt like demanding she keep
her child at home.

‘Look, if you don’t mind,’ I said crossly when Wendy caught up with me,’I'd rather be alone today.’ She seemed unusually pale and out of breath. ‘Why?’ she asked.

I turned to her and shouted, ‘Because my mother died!’ and thought, My God, why was I saying this to a little child?

‘Oh,’ she said quietly, ‘then this is a bad day.’ ‘Yes,’ I said, ‘and yesterday and the day before and — oh, go away!’

‘Did it hurt?’ she inquired. ‘Did what hurt?’ I was exasperated with her, with myself.

‘When she died?’ ‘Of course it hurt!’ I snapped, misunderstanding, wrapped up in myself. I strode off.

A month or so after that, when I next went to the beach, she wasn’t there.. Feeling guilty, ashamed, and admitting to myself I missed her, I went up to the cottage after my walk and knocked at the door..

A drawn looking young woman with honey-colored hair opened the door.

‘Hello,’ I said, ‘I’m Robert Peterson. I missed your little girl today and wondered where she was.’

‘Oh yes, Mr. Peterson, please come in. Wendy spoke of you so much. I’m afraid I allowed her to bother you.
If she was a nuisance,please, accept my apologies.’

‘Not at all — she’s a delightful child.’ I said, suddenly realizing that I meant what I had just said.

‘Wendy died last week, Mr. Peterson. She had leukemia. Maybe she didn’t tell you.’

Struck dumb, I groped for a chair. I had to catch my breath. ‘She loved this beach, so when she asked to come, we couldn’t say no.

She seemed so much better here and had a lot of what she called happy days.
But the last few weeks, she declined rapidly…’ Her voice faltered, ‘She left something for you, if only I can find it..
Could you wait a moment while I look?’

I nodded stupidly, my mind racing for something to say to this lovely young woman. She handed me a smeared envelope with ‘MR. P’ printed in bold childish letters. Inside was a drawing in
bright crayon hues — a yellow beach, a blue sea, and a brown bird. Underneath was carefully printed:

A SANDPIPER TO BRING YOU JOY.

Tears welled up in my eyes, and a heart that had almost forgotten to love opened wide. I took Wendy’s mother in my arms. ‘I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry,’ I uttered over and over, and we wept together.The precious little picture is framed now and hangs in my study. Six words — one for each year of h er life — that speak to me of harmony,courage, and undemanding love.

A gift from a child with sea blue eyes and hair the color of sand — who taught me the gift of love.

NOTE: This is a true story sent out by Robert Peterson. It happened over 20 years ago and the incident changed his life forever. It serves as a reminder to all of us that we need to take time to enjoy living and life and each other. The price of hating other human beings is loving oneself less. Life is so complicated, the hustle and bustle of everyday traumas can make us lose focus about what is truly important or what is only a momentary setback or crisis.

This week, be sure to give your loved ones an extra hug, and by all means, take a moment….even if it is only ten seconds, to stop and smell the roses.

This comes from someone’s heart, and is read by many and now I share it with you…

May God Bless everyone who receives this! There are NO coincidences!

Everything that happens to us happens for a reason. Never brush aside anyone as insignificant. Who knows what they can teach us?

I wish for you, a sandpiper ..