Years ago a hardworking man took his family from
New York State to Australia to take advantage of a work
opportunity there. Part of this man's family was a
handsome young son who had aspirations of joining the
circus as a trapeze artist or an actor.

This young fellow, biding his time until a circus job or even one as
a stagehand came along, worked at the local shipyards
which bordered on the worse section of town. Walking
home from work one evening this young man was attacked
by five thugs who wanted to rob him. Instead of just giving
up his money the young fellow resisted. However they
bested him easily and proceeded to beat him to a pulp.
They mashed his face with their boots, and kicked and
beat his body brutally with clubs, leaving him for dead.

When the police happened to find him lying in the road
they assumed he was dead and called for the Morgue
Wagon. On the way to the morgue a policeman heard
him gasp for air, and they immediately took him to the
emergency unit at the hospital. When he was placed
on a gurney a nurse remarked to her horror, that this
young man no longer had a face. Each eye socket was
smashed, his skull, legs, and arms fractured, his nose
literally hanging from his face, all is teeth were gone, and
his jaw was almost completely torn from his skull. Although
his life was spared, he spent over a year in the hospital.

When he finally left, his body may have healed but his face
was disgusting to look at. He was no longer the handsome
youth that everyone admired. When the young man started
to look for work again he was turned down by everyone just
on account of the way he looked. One potential employer
suggested to him that he join the freak show at the circus as
The Man Who Had No Face. And he did this for a while. He
was still rejected by everyone and no one wanted to be seen
in his company. He had thoughts of suicide. This went on for
five years.

One day he passed a church and sought some solace there.
Entering the church he encountered a priest who had seen him
sobbing while kneeling in a pew. The priest took pity on him
and took him to the rectory where they talked at length.
The priest was impressed with him to such a degree that he
said that he would do everything possible for him that could be
done to restore his dignity and life, if the young man would
promise to be the best Catholic he could be, and trust in God's
mercy to free him from his torturous life. The young man went
to Mass and communion every day, and after thanking God for
saving his life, asked God to only give him peace of mind and
the grace to be the best man he could ever be in His eyes.

The priest, through his personal contacts was able to secure the
services of the best plastic surgeon in Australia. There would be
no cost to the young man, as the doctor was the priest's best
friend. The doctor too was so impressed by the young man,
whose outlook now on life, even though he had experienced the
worst, was filled with good humor and love. The surgery was a
miraculous success. All the best dental work was also done
for him. The young man became everything he promised God he
would be.

He was also blessed with a wonderful, beautiful wife, many
children, and success in an industry which would have been
the furthest thing from his mind as a career, if not for the
goodness of God and the love of the people who cared for him.
This he acknowledges publicly.

The young man. Mel Gibson.

His life was the inspiration for his production
of the movie "The Man Without A Face." He
is to be admired by all of us as a God fearing
man, a political conservative, and an example
to all as a true man of courage.

Paul Harvey
 

The Garden
Plant three rows of peas:
Peace of mind
Peace of heart
Peace of soul

Plant four rows of squash:
Squash gossip
Squash indifference
Squash grumbling
Squash selfishness

Plant four rows of lettuce:
Lettuce be faithful
Lettuce be kind
Lettuce be obedient
Lettuce really love one another

No garden without turnips:
Turnip for meetings
Turnip for service
Turnip to help one another

Water freely with patience and
Cultivate with love.

There is much fruit in your garden
Because you reap what you sow.

To complete our garden
We must have thyme:
Thyme for goodness
Thyme for study
 Thyme for prayer
Thyme for everyday
And take thyme to smell the roses

Work like you don't need the money.
 Love like you've never been hurt.
Dance like no one's watching.
~Author unknown~



SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN Somewhere between the procrastination And the homework And the incessant forwards And the new friendships And the nasty dorm food And the calls home complaining about roommates & lovers... Somewhere between the phone calls to old friends And the "I miss you's" And the "I love you's" And the "I can't wait to see you again's"... And somewhere between all of the changing & growing... Somewhere between the classes And the skipping classes And the studying for tests And the pretending to study for tests And the downright not studying for tests... I forgot. I forgot what it was like to be in high school. I forgot what it meant to cry. I forgot that pretending to be happy doesn't make you happy. And that pretending to be smart doesn't make you smart. I forgot that you can't just forget the past. I forgot that you can't control falling in love And that you can't make yourself fall in love. I learned that I can love. I learned that good food doesn't really seem great until you can't have it anymore. I noticed that I get along better with my mom now than ever before. And that wasn't because she changed, but because I changed. I learned that going to college means making choices And that making choices can get you into trouble. I learned that it's okay to mess up And it's okay to ask for help And it's okay to feel like crap. I learned that sometimes the things you want most you just can't have. I learned that the greatest thing about college aren't the parties Or the drinking Or the hook-ups... It's the chances. Taking the chances And then making the most of them. I learned that sometimes the things we want to forget, are the things which we most need to talk about. I learned that once you get to college, Things don't automatically get better... It's what you make of them. I learned that letters from friends are the most important thing And that sending cards to your friends makes you feel better. But, basically, I just learned that my friends, Both old and new, Are the most important people to me in the world. And without them, I wouldn't be who I am today. So this is a thank you to all of my friends for always being there And I love you.

   The Mysterious thing called "LOVE"....

If you find yourself in love with someone who does not  love you, be gentle with yourself. There is nothing wrong
with you. Love just didn't choose to rest in the other person's heart.

If you find someone else in love with you and you don't  love him/her, feel honored that love came and called at your door, but gently refuse the gift you cannot return. Do not take advantage, do not cause pain.

How you deal with love is how you deal with you, and all our hearts feel the same pains and joys, even if our lives and ways are different.

If you fall in love with another, and he/she falls in love with you, and then love chooses to leave, do not try to reclaim it or to assess blame, let it go. There is a reason and there is a meaning. You will know in time.

Remember that you don't choose love. Love chooses you. All you can really do is accept it for all its mystery when it comes into your life. Feel the way it fills you to overflowing, then reach out and give it away.

Love always has been and always will be a mystery.Be glad that it came to live for a moment in your life.

funny pick up line replies

> Man: Where have you been all my life ?
> Woman: Hiding from you.

> Man: Haven't I seen you someplace before?
> Woman: Yes, that's why I don't go there anymore.

> Man: Is this seat empty?
> Woman: Yes, and this one will be if you sit down.

> Man: Your place or mine?
> Woman: Both. You go to yours, and I'll go to mine.

> Man: So, what do you do for a living?
> Woman: I'm a female impersonator.

> Man: Hey baby, what's your sign?
> Woman: Do not enter.

> Man: How do you like your eggs in the morning?
> Woman: Unfertilized.

> Man: Your body is like a temple.
> Woman: Sorry, there are no services today.

> Man: I would go to the end of the world for you.
> Woman: But would you stay there?

> Man: If I could see you naked, I'd die happy.
> Woman: If I saw you naked, I'd probably die laughing.






INSPIRATIONAL POEM

Sometimes people come into your life
And you know right away that they were meant to be there...
To serve some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson or help figure out
Who you are or who you want to become.
You never know who these people may be but
When you lock eyes with them, you know that every moment
They will affect your life in some profound way.
And sometimes things happen to you at the time
That may seem horrible, painful, and unfair
But in reflection,
you realize that without overcoming those obstacles
You would have never realized your potential,
Strength, will power or heart.
Everything happens for a reason.
Nothing happens by chance or by means of good luck.
Illness, injury, love,
Lost moments of true greatness and sheer stupidity
All occur to test the limits of your soul.
Without these small tests, life would be like a smoothly paved,
Straight, flat road to nowhere.
Safe and comfortable but dull and utterly pointless.
The people you meet affect your life.
The successes and downfalls that you experience
Can create who you are
And the bad experiences can be learned from.
In fact, they are probably the most poignant and important ones.
If someone hurts you, betrays you or breaks your heart,
Forgive them because they have helped you
Learn about trust and the importance of
Being cautious to whom you open your heart to.
If someone loves you, love them back unconditionally,
Not only because they love you,
But because they are teaching you to love
And open your heart and eyes to little things.
Make every day count.
Appreciate every moment and take from it
Everything that you possibly can,
For you may never be able to experience it again.
Talk to people you have never talked to before,
And actually listen.
Let yourself fall in love,
Break free and set your sights high.
Hold your head up because you have every right to.
Tell yourself you are a great individual and believe in yourself,
For if you don't believe in yourself,
No one else will believe in you.
Create your own life and then go out and live it.


> >>Which tree does your birthday fall under? scroll
> down for tree description:
 
 

> >>
> >>
 
 

Apple Tree, the Love (December 23-January1)
Of slight build, lots of charm, appeal and attraction, pleasant aura, flirtatious, adventurous, sensitive, always in  love, wants to love and be loved, faithful and tender partner, very generous, scientific talents, lives for today, a carefree philosopher with imagination
 
 

Fir Tree, the Mysterious (January 2-January 11)
Extraordinary taste, dignity, cultivated airs, loves anything beautiful, moody, stubborn, tends to egoism but cares for those close to it, rather modest, very ambitious, talented, industrious uncontent lover, many friends, many foes, very reliable.
 
 
 

Elm Tree, the Noble-Mindedness (January 12-January 24)
Pleasant shape, tasteful clothes, modest demands, tends to not forgive mistakes, cheerful, likes to lead but not to obey, honest and faithful partner, tends to a know-all attitude and making decisions for others, noble-minded, generous, good sense of humor, practical.

Cypress, the Faithfulness (January 25-February 3)
Strong, muscular, adaptable, takes what life has to give, happy, content, optimistic, needs enough money and
acknowledgment, hates loneliness, passionate lover which cannot be satisfied, faithful, quick-tempered, unruly, pedantic and careless.

Poplar, the Uncertainty (February 4-February 8)
Looks very decorative, no self-confident behavior, only courageous if necessary, needs goodwill and pleasant surroundings, very choosy, often lonely, great  animosity, artistic nature, good organizer, tends to philosophy, reliable in any situation, takes partnership serious.

Cedar, the Confidence (February 9-February 18)
Of rare beauty, knows how to adapt, likes luxury, of good health not in the least shy, tends to look down on others, self-confident, determined, impatient, wants to impress others, many talents, industrious, healthy optimism, waiting for the one true love, able to make quick decisions.

Pine Tree, the Particularity (February 19-February 28)
Loves agreeable company, very robust, knows how to make life comfortable, very active, natural, good companion, but seldom friendly, falls easily in love but its passion burns out quickly, gives up easily, many disappointments till it finds its ideal, trustworthy, practical.

Weeping Willow, the Melancholy (March 1-March 10)
Beautiful but full of melancholy, attractive, very empathic, loves anything beautiful and tasteful, loves to travel,
dreamer, restless, capricious, honest, can be influenced but is not easy to live with, demanding, good intuition, suffers in love but finds sometimes an anchoring partner.

> >>March 21 ..............................Oak Tree
> >>
> Tree
> >>April 1 to April 10 .................Rowan Tree
> >>April 11 to April 20 ...............Maple Tree
> >>April 21 to April 30 ...............Walnut Tree
> >>May 1 to May 14 ....................Poplar Tree
> >>May 15 to May 24 ...................Chestnut Tree
> >>May 25 to June 3 ...................Ash Tree
> >>June 4 to June 13 .....................Hornbeam
> Tree
> >>June 14 to June 23 ....................Fig Tree
> >>June 24 ................................Birch Tree
> >>June 25 to July 4 ..................Apple Tree
> >>July 5 to July 14 ..................Fir Tree
> >>July 15 to July 25 .................Elm Tree
> >>July 26 to August 4 ....................Cypress
> Tree
> >>August 5 to August 13 ..................Poplar
> Tree
> >>August 14 to August 23 .................Cedar Tree
> >>August 24 to September 2 ............Pine Tree
> >>September 3 to September 12 .....Weeping Willow
> Tree
> >>September 13 to September 22 ....Lime Tree
> >>September 23 ....................Olive Tree
> >>September 24 to October 3 .......Hazelnut Tree
> >>October 4 to October 13 .........Rowan Tree
> >>October 14 to October 23 ........Maple Tree
> >>October 24 to November 11 .......Walnut Tree
> >>November 12 to November 21 ........Chestnut Tree
> >>November 22 to December 1 .........Ash Tree
> >>December 2 to December 11 .............Hornbeam
> Tree
> >>December 12 to December 21 ............Fig Tree
> >>
> >>
 
 

Lime Tree, the Doubt (March 11-March 20)
Accepts what life dishes out in a composed way, hates fighting, stress and labor, tends to laziness and idleness, soft and relenting, makes sacrifices for friends, many talents but not tenacious enough to make them blossom, often wailing and complaining, very jealous, loyal.

Hazelnut Tree, the Extraordinary (March 22-March 31)
Charming, undemanding, very understanding, knows how to make an impression, active fighter for social cause, popular, moody and capricious lover, honest and tolerant partner, precise sense of judgment.

Rowan, the Sensitivity (April 1-April 10)
Full of charm, cheerful, gifted, without egoism, likes to draw attention, loves life, motion, unrest and even  complications, is both dependent and independent, good taste, artistic, passionate, emotional, good company, does not forgive.

Maple, Independence of Mind
No ordinary person, full imagination and originality, shy and reserved, ambitious, proud, self-respect, hungers for new experiences, sometimes nervous, many complexes, good memory, learns easily, complicated love life,wants to impress.

Walnut Tree, the Passion
Unrelenting, strange and full of contrasts, often egoistic, aggressive, noble, broad horizon, unexpected reactions, spontaneous, unlimited ambition, no flexibility, difficult and uncommon partner, not always liked but often admired, ingenious strategist, very jealous and passionate, no compromises.

Chestnut Tree, the Honesty
Of unusual beauty, does not want to impress, well-developed sense of justice, vivacious, interested, a born diplomat, but irritate and sensitive in company, often due to a lack of self-confidence, acts sometimes superior, feels not understood loves only once, has difficulties in finding a partner.

Ash Tree, the Ambition
Uncommonly attractive, vivacious, impulsive, demanding, does not care for criticism, ambitious, intelligent, talented, likes to play with its fate, can be egoistic, very reliable and trust-worthy, faithful and prudent lover, sometimes brains rule over heart, but takes partnership very seriously.

Hornbeam, the Good Taste
Of cool beauty, cares for its looks and condition, good taste, tends to be egoism, makes life as comfortable as possible, leads reasonable, disciplined life, looks for kindness, an emotional partner and acknowledgment, dreams of unusual lovers, is seldom happy with her feelings, mistrusts most people, is never sure of its decisions, very consciencious.

Fig Tree, the Sensibility
Very strong, a bit self-willed, independent, does not allow contradiction or arguments, loves life, its  family, children and animals, a bit of a butterfly, good sense of humor, likes idleness and laziness, of practical talent and intelligence.

Oak, Robust Nature
Courageous, strong, unrelenting, independent, sensible, does not love changes, keeps its feet on the ground, person of action.

Birch, the Inspiration
Vivacious, attractive, elegant, friendly, unpretentious, modest, does not like anything in excess, abhors the vulgar, loves life in nature and in calm, not very passionate, full of imagination,  little ambition, creates a calm and content atmosphere.

Olive Tree, the Wisdom
Avoids aggression and violence, tolerant, cheerful, calm, well-developed sense of justice, sensitive, empathic, free of jealousy, loves to read and the company of sophisticated people.

Beech, the Creative (December 22)
Has good taste, concerned about its looks, materialist, good organization of life and career, economical, good leader, takes no unnecessary risks, reasonable, splendid lifetime companion, keen on keeping fit (diets,sports, etc.).

take some time to remember...
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