If you have a favorite warm fuzzie that you would like to share, e-mail it to me, and I will post it as time and space permits..
LITTLE TEDDY STODDARD
There is a story many years ago of an elementary teacher. Her name was Mrs. Thompson. And as she stood in front of her 5th grade class on the very first day of school, she told the children a lie. Like most teachers, she looked at her students and said that she loved them all the same.
But that was impossible, because there in the front row, slumped in his seat, was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard. Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed that he didn't play
well with the other children, that his clothes were messy and that he constantly needed a bath. And Teddy could be unpleasant. It got to the point where Mrs. Thompson would actually take delight in marking his papers with a broad red pen, making bold X's and then putting a big "F" at the top of his papers.
At the school where Mrs. Thompson taught, she was required to review each child's past records and she put Teddy's off until last. However, when she reviewed his file, she was in for a surprise.
Teddy's first grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is a bright child with a ready laugh. He does his work neatly and has good manners...he is a joy to be around."
His second grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is an excellent student, well liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle."
His third grade teacher wrote, "His mother's death had been hard on him. He tries to do his best, but his father doesn't show much interest and his home life will soon affect him if some steps aren't taken."
Teddy's fourth grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school. He doesn't have many friends and he sometimes sleeps in class."
By now, Mrs. Thompson realized the problem and she was ashamed of herself. She felt even worse when her student brought her Christmas presents, wrapped in beautiful ribbons and bright paper, except for Teddy's. His present was clumsily wrapped in the heavy, brown paper that he got from a grocery bag.
Mrs. Thompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents. Some of the children started to laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing, and a bottle that was one quarter full of perfume.
But she stifled the children's laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on, and dabbing some of the perfume on her wrist.
Teddy Stoddard stayed after school that day just long enough to say, "Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like my Mom used to."
After the children left she cried for at least an hour.
On that very day, she quit teaching reading, and writing, and arithmetic. Instead, she began to teach children.
Mrs. Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy. As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster the responded. By the end of the year, Teddy had become one of the smartest children in the class and, despite her lie that she would love all the children the same, Teddy became one of her "teacher's pets."
A year later, she found a note under her door, from Teddy, telling her that she was still the best teacher he ever had in his whole life.
Six years went by before she got another note from Teddy. He then wrote that he had finished high school, third in his class, and she was still the best teacher he ever had in his whole life.
Four years after that, she got another letter, saying that while things had been tough at times, he'd stayed in school, had stuck with it, and would soon graduate from college with the highest of honors. He assured Mrs. Thompson that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had in his whole life.
Then four more years passed and yet another letter came. This time he explained that after he got his bachelor's degree, he decided to go a little further. The letter explained that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had. But now his name was a little longer-the letter was signed, Theodore F. Stoddard, M.D.
The story doesn't end there. You see, there was yet another letter that spring. Teddy said he'd met this girl and was going to be married. He explained that his father had died a couple of years ago and he was wondering if Mrs. Thompson might agree to sit in the place at the wedding that was usually reserved for the
mother of the groom. Of course, Mrs. Thompson did.
And guess what? She wore that bracelet, the one with several rhinestones missing. And she made sure she was wearing the perfume that Teddy remembered his mother wearing on their last christmas together.
They hugged each other, and Dr. Stoddard whispered in Mrs. Thompson's ear, "Thank you Mrs. Thompson for believing in me. Thank you so much for making me feel important and showing me
that I could make a difference."
Mrs. Thompson, with tears in her eyes, whispered back. "Teddy, you have it all wrong. You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference. I didn't know how to teach until I met you."
Warm someone's heart today .... pass this along. Please remember that wherever you go, and whatever you do, you will have the opportunity to touch and/or change a person's outlook .... please try to do it in a positive way
A simple friend identifies himself when he calls. A real friend doesn't have to.
A simple friend opens a conversation with a full news bulletin on his life. A real friend says, "What's new with you?"
A simple friend thinks the problems you whine about are recent. A real friend says, "You've been whining about the same thing for 14 years. Get off your duff and do something about it."
A simple friend has never seen you cry. A real friend has shoulders soggy from your tears.
A simple friend doesn't know your parents' first names. A real friend has their phone numbers in his address book.
A simple friend brings a bottle of wine to your party. A real friend comes early to help you cook and stays late to help you clean.
A simple friend hates it when you call after he has gone to bed. A real friend asks you why you took so long to call.
A simple friend seeks to talk with you about your problems. A real friend seeks to help you with your problems.
A simple friend wonders about your romantic history. A real friend could blackmail you with it.
A simple friend, when visiting, acts like a guest. A real friend opens your refrigerator and helps himself.
A simple friend thinks the friendship is over when you have an argument. A real friend knows that it's not a friendship until after you've had a fight.
A simple friend expects you to always be there for them. A real friend expects to always be there for you!
***********************
I didn't know if my granddaughter had learned her colors yet, so I decided to test her. I would point out something and ask what color it was. She would tell me, and always she was correct. But it was fun for me, so I continued. At last she headed for the door, saying sagely, "Grandma, I think you should try to figure out some of these yourself!"
4 years of age: My Mommy can do anything!
8 years of age: My Mom knows a lot! A whole lot!
12 years of age: My Mother doesn't really know quite everything
14 years of age: Naturally, Mother doesn't know that either
16 years of age: Mother? She's hopelessly old-fashioned
18 years of age: That old woman? She's way out of date!
25 years of age: Well, she might know a little bit about it
35 years of age: Before we decide, let's get Mom's opinion
60 years of age: Wonder what Mom would have thought about it?
65 years of age: Wish I could talk it over with Mom once more
1) THE GIFT OF LISTENING...
But you must REALLY listen.
No interrupting, no daydreaming,
no planning your response.
Just listening.
2) THE GIFT OF AFFECTION...
Be generous with appropriate hugs,
kisses, pats on the back, and handholds.
Let these small actions demonstrate the
love you have for family and friends.
3) THE GIFT OF LAUGHTER...
Clip cartoons.
Share articles and funny stories.
Your gift will say, "I love to laugh with you."
4) THE GIFT OF A WRITTEN NOTE...
It can be a simple
"Thanks for the help" note or a full sonnet.
A brief, handwritten note may be remembered for
a lifetime, and may even change a life.
5) THE GIFT OF A COMPLIMENT...
A simple and sincere,
You look great in red," "You did a super job,"
or "That was a wonderful meal"
can make someone's day.
6) THE GIFT OF A FAVOR...
Every day, go out of your way
to do something kind.
7) THE GIFT OF SOLITUDE...
There are times when we want nothing better
than to be left alone.
Be sensitive to those times and give
the gift of solitude to others.
8) THE GIFT OF A CHEERFUL DISPOSITION...
The easiest way to feel good is
to extend a kind word to someone.
Really, it's not that hard to say,
Hello or Thank You.
"Somebody" said you know how to be a Mother by instinct. "Somebody" never took a three year old shopping.
"Somebody" said that "good" Mothers never yell at their kids. "Somebody's" child never sent a baseball through a neighbor's picture window.
"Somebody" said a Mother can find all the answers to her child-rearing questions in books. "Somebody" never had a child stuff beans in her nose.
"Somebody" said a Mother always adores her children. "Somebody" never tried to comfort a colicky baby at 3 am.
"Somebody" said a Mother can do her job with her eyes closed and one hand tied behind her back. "Somebody" never organized 7 giggling Brownies into a cookie-selling brigade.
"Somebody" said the hardest part of being a Mother is labor and delivery. "Somebody" never watched her "baby" get on the bus for the first day of kindergarten. Or on a plane to go to war.
"Somebody" said your Mother knows you love her, so you don't have to tell her. "Somebody" isn't a Mother.
Who ever said life was boring obviously didn't have kids!
suitcase with him. Overjoyed, the man gathers his largest suitcase and fills it with pure gold bars and places it beside his bed. Soon afterward the man dies and shows up at the Gates of Heaven to greet St. Peter. St. Peter seeing the suitcase says, "Hold on, you can't bring that in here!"
But, the man explains to St. Peter that he has permission and asks him to verify his story with the Lord. Sure enough, St. Peter checks and comes back saying, "You're right. You are allowed one carry-on bag, but I'm supposed to check its contents before letting it through."
St. Peter opens the suitcase to inspect the worldly items that the man
found too precious to leave behind and exclaims, "You brought pavement?!!!"
The older you get, the more your parents will kmow.
Your parents have already been your age once.
Your parents weren't the model children that they want you to be.
To the world you might be one person but to one person you might
be the world.
Going to church does not make you a Christian anymore than going
to McDonald's makes you a hamburger.
Real friends are those who, when you feel you've made a fool of
yourself, don't feel you've done a permanent job.
A coincidence is when God performs a miracle and decides to remain
anonymous.
Sometimes the majority only means that all the fools are on the
same side.
I don't have to attend every argument I'm invited to.
Lead your life so you won't be ashamed to sell the family parrot
to the town gossip.
People gather bundles of sticks to build bridges they never cross.
Life is 10% of what happens to you, and 90% of how you respond to
it.
Did it ever occur to you that nothing occurs to God?
Life is like an onion; you peel off one layer at a time and
sometimes you weep.
Learn from the mistakes of others. You can't live long enough to
make them all yourself.
Your worst days are never so bad that you are beyond the reach of
God's grace. And your best days are never so good that you are
beyond the need of God's grace.
When it comes time to die...make sure that all you have left to do
is die.
Death is only the end of dying; not the end.
Each day is a gift from God! Don't forget to say, "Thank you!"
Hugz,,wint
bottom,,,,,,,lot's of luv,,,,winter
W I S E A D V I C E F R O M K I D S
1. Never trust a dog to watch your food. - Patrick, age 10
2. When your dad is mad and asks you, "Do I look stupid?" don't answer him. - Michael, 14
3. Stay away from prunes. - Randy, 9
4. When you get a bad grade in school, show it to your mom when she's on the phone. - Alyesha, 13
5. Never *** on an electric fence. - Robert, 13
6. Don't squat with your spurs on. - Noronha, 13
7. Don't pick on your sister when she's holding a baseball bat. - Joel, 10
8. When your mom is mad at your dad, don't let her brush your hair. - Taylia, 11
9. Never allow your three-year old brother in the same room as your school assignment. - Traci, 14
10. Don't sneeze in front of mom when you're eating crackers.- Mitchell, 12
11. Puppies still have bad breath even after eating a tic tac.
- Andrew, 9
12. Never hold a dust buster and a cat at the same time. - Kyoyo, 9
14. Don't wear polka-dot underwear under white shorts. - Kellie, 11
15. If you want a kitten, start out by asking for a horse.
- Naomi, 15
16. Felt markers are not good to use as lipstick. - Lauren, 9
17. Never try to baptize a cat. - Eileen, 8
May God Bless you and keep you safe,
Father Pat
"Be still and know that I am God" ~Psalm 46:10
Saint Bronislava Parish Web Site:
http://stbrons.com
Youth Ministry Web Site:
http://youth.stbrons.com
Father Pat's personal Site:
http://frpat.com
Love is knowing that you don't have to say, I love you, it's in the eyes.
Love is God.
Love is the sunrise and sunset.
Love is the wind blowing.
Love is babies and children.
Love is hugs.
Love is your best friend.
Love is your dog curled up with you.
Love is laughter, giggles, and squeezes.
Love is Christmas.
Love is a cold winter day and a cup of hot chocolate.
Love is growing old together.
Love is holding hands and a long walk.
Love is...................................
Love and hugz,,,,wint
1. It hurts to love someone and not be loved in return, but what is more painful is to love someone and never find the courage to let that person know how you feel.
2. Maybe we meet a few wrong people before meeting the right one so that when we finally meet the right person, we will know how to be grateful for that gift.
3. Love is when you take away the feeling, the passion, and the romance in a relationship; and find out you still care for that person.
4. A sad thing in life is when you meet someone who means a lot to you, only to find out in the end that it was never meant to be and you just have to let go.
5. When the door of happiness closes another opens but at times we look so long at the closed door that we don't see the one which has been opened for us.
6. The best kind of friend is the kind you can sit on a porch and swing with, never say a word, and then walk away feeling like it was the best conversation you've ever had.
7. It's true that we don't know what we've got until we lose it, but it's also true that we don't know what we've been missing until it arrives.
8. Giving someone all your love is never an assurance that they'll love you back! Don't expect love in return; just wait for it to grow in their heart, but if it doesn't be content it grew in yours.
9. There are things you'd love to hear that you would never hear from the person whom you would like to hear them from, but don't be so deaf as not to hear it from the one who says it from the heart.
10.Never say good-bye if you still want to try. Never give up if you still feel you can go on. Never say you don't love a person anymore if you can't let go.
11.Love comes to those who still hope although they've been disappointed, to those who still believe although they've been betrayed, to love those who still love although they've been hurt before.
12.It takes only a minute to get a crush on someone, an hour to like someone and a day to love someone....but it takes a lifetime to forget someone.
13.Don't go for looks; they can deceive. Don't go for wealth; even that fades away. Go for someone who makes you smile because it takes only a smile to make a dark day seem bright.
14.There are moments in life when you miss someone so much that you just want to pick them from you dreams and hug them for real! Hope you dream of that special someone.
15.Dream what you want to dream. Go where you want to go. Be what you want to be, because you have only one life and one chance to do all the things you want to do.
16.The best and most beautiful things in this world can neither be seen nor touched, but can be felt with the heart.
17.Always put yourself in others' shoes. If you feel that they hurt you, they probably hurt the other person, too. Don't be so quick to judge.
18.A careless word may kindle strife; a cruel word may wreck a life; a timely word may level stress; a loving word may heal.
19.The beginning of love is to let those we love be just themselves, and not twist them with our own image- - - -otherwise, we love only the reflection of ourselves we find in them.
20.The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best of everything; they just make the most of everything that comes their way.
21.Happiness lies for those who cry, those who hurt, those who have searched, and those who have tried, for only they can appreciate the importance of people who have touched their lives.
22.Love begins with a smile, grows with a kiss and ends with a tear.
23.The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past, you can't go on well in life until you let go of your past failures and heartaches. It's called "the past" for a reason.
24.When you were born, you were crying and eveyone around you was smiling. Live your life so that when you die, you're the one who is smiling and everyone around you is crying.
And last but not least................
25.May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human, enough hope to make you happy.