Quote from Forum Archives on June 10, 2003, 12:03 pm

Posted by: bigguyhereagain <bigguyhereagain@...>

*** To Believe ***

 

To believe is to know that every
day is a new beginning.
It is to trust that miracles happen,
and dreams really do come true.

 

To believe is to see angels
dancing among the clouds
To know the wonder of a stardust sky
and the wisdom of the man in the moon.

 

To believe is to know the value
of a nurturing heart,
The innocence of a child's eyes and the
beauty of an aging hand,
for it is through their teachings we learn to love.

 

To believe is to find the strength and
courage that lies within us.
When it is time to pick up
the pieces and begin again.

 

To believe is to know we are not alone,
That life is a gift and this is our
time to cherish it.

 

To believe is to know that wonderful
surprises are just waiting to happen,
And all our hopes and dreams
are within reach.

 

If only we believe.

 

+:*:+:*:+:*:+:*:+:*:+:*:+:*:+:*:+:*:+:*:+:*:+:*:+:*:+:*:+:*:+:*:+:*:+

 

*** Meanings ***

 

Standing for what you believe in,
Regardless of the odds against you,
and the pressure that tears at your resistance,
...means courage

 

Keeping a smile on your face,
When inside you feel like dying,
For the sake of supporting others,
...means strength

 

Stopping at nothing,
And doing what's in your heart,
You know is right,
...means determination

 

Doing more than is expected,
To make another's life a little more bearable,
Without uttering a single complaint,
...means compassion

 

Helping a friend in need,
No matter the time or effort,
To the best of your ability,
...means loyalty

 

Giving more than you have,
And expecting nothing
But nothing in return,
...means selflessness

 

Holding your head high,
And being the best you know you can be
When life seems to fall apart at your feet,
Facing each difficulty with the confidence
That time will bring you better tomorrow's,
And never giving up,
...means confidence.

 

+:*:+:*:+:*:+:*:+:*:+:*:+:*:+:*:+:*:+:*:+:*:+:*:+:*:+:*:+:*:+:*:+:*:+

 

*** The Healing ***

 

 The shock of events of the past 30 hours overwhelmed Jim all at once. His body felt numb, and while the world was moving along, he felt removed from it.

 

Jim and his wife, Connie, had just lost their beautiful four-month-old son. Preliminary diagnosis: SIDS, sudden infant death syndrome.

 

Thirty hours ago Jim had driven to the baby-sitter's home to pick up Joshua. It was a routine trip, like the one he made five days every week...until he arrived, and little Joshua could not be awakened from his nap. The next few hours were a blur. Wailing sirens, swift-moving paramedics, critical-care doctors and reassuring nurses, holding hands and praying. A decision to life-flight Joshua to Children's Hospital 60 miles away...but all in vain. Twelve hours later, the doctors had exhausted all attempts at revival. There was no brain activity. The decision was to turn off life-support. Little Joshua was gone. Yes, they wanted all of Joshua's usable organs to be readied for donation. That was not a difficult decision for Jim and Connie, a loving and giving couple.

 

The next morning dawned. More decisions and arrangements. Telephone calls and funeral plans. At one point Jim realized he needed a haircut, but being new to the community, he didn't have his own regular barber yet. Jim's brother volunteered to call his hairdresser and get Jim an appointment. The schedule was full, but after a few words of explanation, the salon owner said, "Just send him right over and we'll take care of him."

 

Jim was exhausted as he settled into the chair. He had had little sleep. He began to reflect on the past hours, trying desperately to make some sense of it all. Why had Joshua, their firstborn, the child they had waited so long for, been taken so soon...he had barely begun his life... The question kept coming, and the pain in Jim's heart just enveloped him. He thought about the words spoken by the hospital chaplain. "We don't fully understand what part we have in God's plan. Perhaps Joshua had already completed his mission on earth." Those words didn't ease the bitterness that was creeping in.

 

The hairdresser expressed her sympathy, and Jim found himself telling her all about the events of the last 30 hours. Somehow it helped to tell the story. Maybe if he told it enough times, he would gain some understanding.

 

As Jim mentioned the organ donations, he looked at his watch and remembered what was happening 60 miles away...where he had said good-bye to his beloved Joshua a few short hours earlier. "They are transplanting one of his heart valves right now."

 

The hairdresser stopped and stood motionless. Finally she spoke, but her voice quivered and it was only a whisper. "You're not going to believe this...but about an hour ago the customer sitting in this chair wanted me to hurry so she could get to Children's Hospital. She left here so full of joy...her prayers had been answered. Today her baby granddaughter is receiving a desperately needed transplant...a heart valve."

 

Jim's healing began.

 

+:*:+:*:+:*:+:*:+:*:+:*:+:*:+:*:+:*:+:*:+:*:+:*:+:*:+:*:+:*:+:*:+:*:+

 

Have a Blessed Day

Dave and Barbara

 

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