| The story is told of a mountain climber who, desperate to conquer the Aconagua, initiated his climb after years of preparation. But he wanted the glory to himself, so he went up alone. He began his ascent ... but soon realized it was becoming later in the day than he had anticipated. He hadn't prepared for camping, so he decided to keep going. Soon it got dark. Night fell with heaviness at a very high altitude. Visibility was zero; everything was black. There was no moon, and the stars were blocked out by clouds. As he was climbing a ridge about 100 meters from the top, he slipped and fell. Falling rapidly, he could see nothing. He felt a terrible sensation of being sucked in by gravity. He kept falling ... and in those brief, anguishing moments, good and bad memories passed through his mind. He thought that he would certainly die. But then he felt a jolt that almost tore him in half. Yes! Like any good mountain climber, he had staked himself with a long rope tied to his waist. In those moments of stillness, suspended in the air, he shouted, "Help me, God! Help me!" And all of a sudden he heard a powerful voice from heaven, "What do you want me to do?" "Save me!" "Do you really think that I can save you?" "Of course, my God!" "Then cut the rope that is holding you up." There was another moment of silence and stillness. The man just clung more tightly to the rope. The rescue team says that the next day they found a frozen mountain climber hanging strongly to a rope ...two feet off the ground. Sometimes we just need to trust. |
| I walked into the grocery store not particularly interested in buying groceries. I wasn't hungry. The pain of losing my husband of 7 years was still too raw. And this grocery store held so many sweet memories. He 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. He 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 he had passed on.Shopping for one took time, a little more thought than it had for two. Standing by the meat, I searched for the perfect small steak and remembered how he 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. Quart, I finally decided and moved on to the ice cream. 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, 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, 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. |
| Did you know that if shop mannequins were real women they'd be too thin to have babies? There are 3 billion women who don't look like supermodels and only eight who do. Marilyn Monroe wore a size 14. If Barbie was a real woman, she'd have to walk on all fours due to her proportions. The average woman weighs 144 lbs and wears between a 12-14. One out of every four college aged women has an eating disorder. The models in the magazines are airbrushed - not perfect! A psychological study in 1995 found that three minutes spent looking at a fashion magazine caused 70% of women to feel depressed, guilty, and shameful. Models twenty years ago weighed 8% less than the average woman.Today they weigh 23% less. Today women are lovers, mothers, and career women. Who else is able to balance such a load, and do it with a smile? The beauty of a woman is not in the clothes she wears, the figure she carries, or the way she combs her hair. The beauty of a woman must be seen from her eyes, because that is the doorway to her heart, The place where love resides. The beauty of a woman is reflected in her soul. It is the care that she lovingly gives, the passion that she shows. The beauty of a woman, with passing years - only grows. |