1. 1
A Miracle Of Miracles: Realizing An Impossible Dream
"So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then,
when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable." Christopher Reeve
Recently, for the first time in 5 years I simply went out back, put my cane down, and
started walking. I made it 42 yards.
Today I walked 5 miles.
My medical team had said this would be impossible. My brain could no longer send the
signals for walking because those nerves in my spinal cord had been destroyed. Though
certainly unintentional, my doctors did take something very important away from me:
hope.
A while back, a psychologist pal of mine urged me to try to help myself. I was angry. I
said, "They're four of Boston's leading neurologists. They all said I'd never get any
better."
"They could have all been wrong."
"They said there's nothing I can do! No rehabilitation. No physical therapy. I'm not
putting any effort into trying to walk and then be miserable when I fail."
"Trying is never failure."
I'd get steaming mad at people like her. What did they know? They came out in droves. I
heard various things I should try: a soy-based diet, massage, Yoga, acupuncture, positive
thinking. All of these well-meaning non-experts believed that traditional medical doctors
do not know everything about human potential.

2. 2
However, there was a common denominator in my friends' advice. And that was the
word, "Try."
What made me finally try? The answer is simpler than I'd have ever imagined. That day I
tried walking on my own, I had simply said to myself, "Why not?"
When I walk I have a Frankenstein-style gait. I get embarrassed so I explain. I met a gal
who said, "Stop excusing yourself. Walk proud!" She's just one of the many who've
taught me that if I open my heart to acceptance, the world is filled with support teams.
I've also resolved to open my obstinate mind and really listen to others, experts or not.
This not only fosters my own sometimes-frail belief in my abilities; it fosters faith in
miracles.
One morning my husband, Bob, said there was a huge present for me in our driveway. He
had researched "bicycles for disabled people." It was a 300 pound cycle for two. The
seats were side by side. He could pedal while I sat by him and enjoyed the outdoors
again.
Um . . . did I mention it came assembled with a set of pedals for me too?
Now, hundreds of miles later, after exhaustive hours of pedaling along beautiful bike
trails, I only wish that we owned stock in Ben-Gay.
Bob needs a tube a day to keep up with me.
Last week he repeated, "There's a huge present in our driveway." He led me outside.
"Voila!" he said. "Oh no," I moaned. Bob dubbed it "The One-Woman Dynamo Power
Bike."
"Sweetheart? You know I can't bike on my own."
He laughed sweetly. "I know. And you can't walk either. Then why does the pedometer I
bought you have 74 miles on it?"
And so, I made a now often repeated declaration that I am praying others will say to
themselves as well. "Yes. I can."
Think I love my bike? You bet. Think I love Bob? Of course. Think I love life again after
cloistering myself in a self imposed no-can-do closet? Goodness! You have to ask?
How do we find hope when hope seems impossible? Do we simply believe in our hearts,
our minds and our very souls that we can beat the odds?
Yes.
Christopher Reeve said, "When we have hope, we discover powers within ourselves we
may have never known. Once we choose hope, everything is possible."

3. 3
His immutable words still ring in my heart and I so hope they will in everyone else's:
"And you don't have to be a 'Superman' to do it."
~ Saralee Perel ~
Saralee Perel is an award-winning columnist, novelest, and retired psychotherapist. Also,
she is a contributor to Chicken Soup for the Soul, Family Circle Magazine, the Dallas
News and many other publications. Her novel, "Raw Nerves" - A Cape Cod Comedic
Thriller, enjoys very favorable reviews, and can be purchased at Amazon.com. You can
visit her website at: www.saraleeperel.com. Take a minute to let Saralee know what you
think of this story: sperel@saraleeperel.com.
[ by: Saralee Perel Copyright © 2008 (sperel@saraleeperel.com) -- {used with
permission} ]
Thank You, Lord
A newly arrived soul in Heaven was met by St. Peter. The saint toured the soul around
Heaven. Both of them walked side by side inside a large workroom filled with angels.
St. Peter stopped in front of the first section and said, "This is the Receiving Section.
Here, all the petitions to God said in prayer are received." The soul looked at the section,
and it was terribly busy with so many angels sorting out petitions written on voluminous
paper sheets from all the people of the world.
They walked again until they reached the 2nd section, and St. Peter told the soul, "This is
the Packaging and Delivery Section. Here, the graces and blessings the people asked for
are packed and delivered to the persons who asked for them down on earth."
The soul saw how busy it was. There were so many angels working in that room, since so
many blessing were being packed and delivered to Earth.
Finally at the farthest corner of the room, the soul stopped at the last section. To the
surprise of the soul, only one angel stayed there idly, doing nothing. "This is the
Acknowledging Section," St. Peter told the soul. "How is it that, there is no work here?"
"That's the sad thing," St. Peter answered. "After the people received the blessings they
asked for, very few send their acknowledgments." "How does one acknowledge God's
blessing?" "Simple," St. Peter answered. "Just say, "'Thank you, Lord'."

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Thank you Lord, for giving me the chance to share this message with others and also, for
giving me so many wonderful people to share this with. If you have food in the
refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep... you are richer
than 75% of this world.
If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace...
you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy.
If you woke up this morning with more health than illness... you are more blessed than
the million who will not survive this week.
If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the
agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation you are ahead of 500 million people in the
world.
If you can attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or death...
you are more blessed than three billion people in the world.
If your parents are still alive and still married... you are very rare,.
If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful... you are
blessed because the majority can, but most do not.
If you can hold someone's hand, hug them or even touch them on the shoulder... you are
blessed because you can offer healing touch.
If you can read this message, you just received a double blessing in that... someone was
thinking of you, and furthermore, you are more blessed than over two billion people in
the world that cannot read at all.
Have a good day, count your blessings, and pass this along to remind everyone else how
blessed we all are.
THANK YOU LORD!
[ Author Unknown -- from E-Mail Ministry (emailministry@emailministry.org) ]

5. 5
All She Had Was A Broken Heart
She walked into the room and his eyes lit up. She didn't have to say a word, her being
there was proof enough that she loved him. They had both lost someone they loved. So
this day of all days was a difficult one. She wanted to make this work. She was hurt,
lonely and afraid. It wasn't supposed to be this way.
But the fact was he knew how she felt. There was an obvious pain in his heart, too. So the
one thing that strengthened their love for each other was heartache, the most sorrowful
kind.
Their eyes locked. He smiled and she responded. He had a special way of bringing a
smile to her face. It was the little things he would do that would touch her heart. But we
all know that the essence of true love and commitment is in the little things.
She stood there in the doorway and he motioned to her to sit next to him. Not trusting the
childish grin he now had on his face, she hesitated for a moment, but gave in. She always
did.
She sat at the far end of the couch teasing him, he quickly responded by sliding right next
to her. She laughed and he knew it was alright. He seemed to be stumbling for just the
right words. There was an awkward moment of silence between them. She, making an
effort to calm his nerves reached over and held his hand. He looked at her with a grateful
smile and returned the favor by placing his hand on hers.
They looked at each other again, somehow knowing that this was a difficult time for both
of them.
Then suddenly he reached behind the pillow placed strategically nearby. He pulled out a
large red envelope and nervously handed it to her.
She snapped back with a look of surprise because she really hadn't expected this.

6. 6
"Wait, this goes with it," he said. Then he handed her a small box, wrapped perfectly in
white tissue paper of hearts and flowers. She couldn't believe what was happening. How
could he have pulled this off? And why?
"Now," he said, "read the card."
In great anticipation she ripped the envelope without hesitating. She wanted desperately
to see what he had to say to her. She hung on every word.
It read as follows:
I know that this isn't easy for you. It has been a tough year for both of us.
I know that Valentine's Day is a special day for people in love.
I am sure that you would rather be out at a fancy dinner, I'm sorry.
But I want you to know that . . . I love you.
I know that Valentines are supposed to get chocolate. But I went to the store today to buy
some for you. I got the last piece. I told the clerk it was just perfect.
She stopped for a moment and looked at him. Her eyes sparkled in the light as tears
formed in each corner. He knew he had done the right thing.
Slowly she unwrapped the box, careful not to rip the paper for she was sure that this was
a keeper, a moment she will never forget.
Removing the lid she found a chocolate heart that was broken into pieces along with a
note:
"The lady said all she had left was a broken heart. I told her so did we." "I am so sorry
that Dad left us Mom. But I just wanted you to know we still have each other."
Happy Valentines Day,
Love,
Your son,
Adam
What better love on Valentine's Day then the love of a mother and child.
"I believe in You!"
~ Bob Perks ~
"Reflect upon your present blessings - of which every man has many - not on your
past misfortunes, of which all men have some." - Added by Editor:
SkyWriting.Net

7. 7
[ by: Bob Perks Copyright © 2009 (2believe@comcast.net) -- {used with permission} ]
A Little Girls Prayer
Helen Roseveare, a missionary doctor from England to Zaire Africa, told this as it
happened to her in Africa.
"One night I had worked hard to help a mother in the labor ward; but in spite of all we
could do she died leaving us with a tiny premature baby and a crying two-year-old
daughter. We would have difficulty keeping the baby alive, as we had no incubator. (We
had no electricity to run an incubator.) We also had no special feeding facilities.
Although we lived on the equator, nights were often chilly with treacherous drafts. One
student midwife went for the box we had for such babies and the cotton wool the baby
would be wrapped in. Another went to stoke up the fire and fill a hot water bottle. She
came back shortly in distress to tell me that in filling the bottle, it had burst. Rubber
perishes easily in tropical climates. "And it is our last hot water bottle!" she exclaimed.
As in the West it is no good crying over spilled milk, so in Central Africa it might be
considered no good crying over burst water bottles. They do not grow on trees, and there
are no drugstores down forest pathways.
"All right," I said, "Put the baby as near the fire as you safely can, and sleep between the
baby and the door to keep it free from drafts. "Your job is to keep the baby warm."
The following noon, as I did most days, I went to have prayers with any of the orphanage
children who chose to gather with me. I gave the youngsters various suggestions of things
to pray about and told them about the tiny baby. I explained our problem about keeping
the baby warm enough, mentioning the hot water bottle. The baby could so easily die if it
got chills. I also told them of the two-year-old sister, crying because her mother had died.
During the prayer time, one ten-year-old girl, Ruth, prayed with the usual blunt
conciseness of our African children. "Please, God," she prayed, "send us a water bottle.
It'll be no good tomorrow, God, as the baby will be dead, so please send it this
afternoon."
While I gasped inwardly at the audacity of the prayer, she added by way of a corollary,
"And while You are about it, would You please send a dolly for the little girl so she'll
know You really love her?"
As often with children's prayers, I was put on the spot. Could I honestly say, "Amen?" I
just did not believe that God could do this. Oh, yes, I know that He can do everything.
The Bible says so. But there are limits, aren't there? The only way God could answer this

8. 8
particular prayer would be by sending me a parcel from the homeland. I had been in
Africa for almost four years at that time, and I had never, ever received a parcel from
home. Anyway, if anyone did send me a parcel, who would put in a hot water bottle? I
lived on the equator!
Halfway through the afternoon, while I was teaching in the nurses' training school, a
message was sent that there was a car at my front door. By the time I reached home, the
car had gone, but there, on the verandah, was a large twenty-two pound parcel. I felt tears
pricking my eyes. I could not open the parcel alone, so I sent for the orphanage children.
Together we pulled off the string, carefully undoing each knot. We folded the paper,
taking care not to tear it unduly. Excitement was mounting. Some thirty or forty pairs of
eyes were focused on the large cardboard box. From the top, I lifted out brightly colored,
knitted jerseys. Eyes sparkled as I gave them out. Then there were the knitted bandages
for the leprosy patients, and the children looked a little bored. Then came a box of mixed
raisins and sultanas -- that would make a nice batch of buns for the weekend. Then, as I
put my hand in again, I felt the.... could it really be? I grasped it and pulled it out -- yes, a
brand-new, rubber hot water bottle!
I cried. I had not asked God to send it; I had not truly believed that He could. Ruth was in
the front row of the children. She rushed forward, crying out, "If God has sent the bottle,
He must have sent the dolly, too!"
Rummaging down to the bottom of the box, she pulled out the small, beautifully dressed
dolly. Her eyes shone! She had never doubted. Looking up at me, she asked: "Can I go
over with you, Mummy, and give this dolly to that little girl, so she'll know that Jesus
really loves her?"
That parcel had been on the way for five whole months. Packed up by my former Sunday
school class, whose leader had heard and obeyed God's prompting to send a hot water
bottle, even to the equator. And one of the girls had put in a dolly for an African child --
five months before -- in answer to the believing prayer of a ten-year-old to bring it "that
afternoon."
"Before they call, I will answer!" Isa 65:24
[ Helen Roseveare -- from 'E-Mail Ministry' ]
One Minute Can Change A Life
He almost killed somebody, but one minute changed his life. The beautiful story comes
from Sherman Rogers' old book, FOREMEN: LEADERS OR DRIVERS? In his true-life
story, Rogers illustrates the importance of effective relationships.
During his college years, Rogers spent a summer in an Idaho logging camp. When the

9. 9
superintendent had to leave for a few days, he put Rogers in charge.
"What if the men refuse to follow my orders?" Rogers asked. He thought of Tony, an im-
migrant worker who grumbled and growled all day, giving the other men a hard time.
"Fire them," the superintendent said. Then, as if reading Rogers' mind, he added, "I
suppose you think you are going to fire Tony if you get the chance. I'd feel badly about
that. I have been logging for 40 years. Tony is the most reliable worker I've ever had. I
know he is a grouch and that he hates everybody and everything. But he comes in first
and leaves last. There has not been an accident for eight years on the hill where he
works."
Rogers took over the next day. He went to Tony and spoke to him. "Tony, do you know
I'm in charge here today?" Tony grunted. "I was going to fire you the first time we
tangled, but I want you to know I'm not," he told Tony, adding what the superintendent
had said.
When he finished, Tony dropped the shovelful of sand he had held and tears streamed
down his face. "Why he no tell me dat eight years ago?"
That day Tony worked harder than ever before -- and he smiled! He later said to Rogers,
"I told Maria you first foreman in deese country who ever say, 'Good work, Tony,' and it
make Maria feel like Christmas."
Rogers went back to school after that summer. Twelve years later he met Tony again. He
was superintendent for railroad construction for one of the largest logging companies in
the West. Rogers asked him how he came to California and happened to have such
success.
Tony replied, "If it not be for the one minute you talk to me back in Idaho, I keel some-
body someday. One minute, she change my whole life."
Effective managers know the importance of taking a moment to point out what a worker
is doing well. But what a difference a minute of affirmation can make in any relationship!
One minute. Have you got one minute to thank someone? A minute to tell someone what
you sincerely like or appreciate about her? A minute to elaborate on something he did
well? One minute. It can make a difference for a lifetime.
~ Steve Goodier ~
[ by: Steve Goodier (LifeSupport@yahoogroups.com) -- {used with permission} ]

10. 10
A Story To Live By
My brother-in-law opened the bottom drawer of my sister's bureau and lifted out a tissue-
wrapped package. "This," he said, "is not a slip. This is lingerie." He discarded the tissue
and handed me the slip. It was exquisite; silk, handmade and trimmed with a cobweb of
lace. The price tag with an astronomical figure on it was still attached. "Jan bought this
the first time we went to New York, at least 8 or 9 years ago. She never wore it. She was
saving it for a special occasion. Well, I guess this is the occasion." He took the slip from
me and put it on the bed with the other clothes we were taking to the mortician. His hands
lingered on the soft material for a moment, then he slammed the drawer shut and turned
to me. "Don't ever save anything for a special occasion. Every day you're alive is a
special occasion."
I remembered those words through the funeral and the days that followed when I helped
him and my niece attend to all the sad chores that follow an unexpected death. I thought
about them on the plane returning to California from the Midwestern town where my
sister's family lives. I thought about all the things that she hadn't seen or heard or done. I
thought about the things that she had done without realizing that they were special. I'm
still thinking about his words, and they've changed my life.
I'm reading more and dusting less. I'm sitting on the deck and admiring the view without
fussing about the weeds in the garden.
I'm spending more time with my family and friends and less time in committee meetings.
Whenever possible, life should be a pattern of experience to savor, not endure. I'm trying
to recognize these moments now and cherish them.
I'm not "saving" anything; we use our good china and crystal for every special event-such
as losing a pound, getting the sink unstopped, the first camellia blossom.
I wear my good blazer to the market if I feel like it. My theory is if I look prosperous, I
can shell out $28.49 for one small bag of groceries without wincing.
I'm not saving my good perfume for special parties; clerks in hardware stores and tellers
in banks have noses that function as well as my party-going friends'.
"Someday" and "one of these days" are losing their grip on my vocabulary. If it's worth
seeing or hearing or doing, I want to see and hear and do it now. I'm not sure what my
sister would have done had she known that she wouldn't be here for the tomorrow we all
take for granted.
It's those little things left undone that would make me angry if I knew that my hours were
limited. Angry because I put off seeing good friends whom I was going to get in touch
with-someday. Angry because I hadn't written certain letters that I intended to write-one
of these days. Angry and sorry that I didn't tell my husband and daughter often enough
how much I truly love them.

11. 11
I'm trying very hard not to put off, hold back, or save anything that would add laughter
and luster to our lives. And every morning when I open my eyes, I tell myself that it is
special. Every day, every minute, every breath truly is... a gift from God.
[ by: Ann Wells, Los Angeles Times -- from 'The Inspired Buffalo' (the-inspired-
buffalo@yahoogroups.com) ]
A Father's Promise
Ten years ago (1989), an 8.2 earthquake almost flattened Armenia, killing over 30,000
people in less than four minutes. It's hard to imagine the anguish, the pain, and the
suffering that began in those four brief minutes of time -- people's worlds were shaken
and lives crushed. In spite of the devastation, such tragedies often bring out the best in
people -- at least it provides a window to peak at the contents of each heart. Let me show
you the loving heart of one father.
In the midst of chaos and destruction, he rushed to his son's school. But instead of a
school, he found a shapeless heap of rubble. Imagine what went through his mind. What
would have gone through your mind? Perhaps, shock would have crippled you as it did
the other parents who were walking around dazed, clutching at their hearts and calling
out their child's name. But in the case of this father, the sight of rubble and ruin only
made him spring into action. He ran to the back corner of the building where his son's
class room used to be and began to dig. Why? What real hope did he have? What were
the chances that his son could have survived such destruction? All he knew was that he
had made a promise to always be there for his son. It was this promise that gave strength
to his body and motivated him mentally.
As he began to dig, well-meaning parents tried to pull him out of the rubble saying: "It's
too late!" "They're dead!" "You can't help!" "Go home!" "There's nothing you can do!"
The fire chief tried to pull him off the rubble by saying, "Fires and explosions are
happening everywhere. You're in danger. Go home!" Finally, the police came and said,
"You're angry, distraught, but it's over. Go home." But this father had made a promise,
and he was going to keep it!
The love this father had in his heart for his son kept him digging for eight . . . 12 . . . 24 . .
. 36 hours. Then, in the 38th hour, he pulled back a boulder and heard his sons' voice
crying for help. Immediately, he screamed, "ARMAND!" Back came the words, "Dad!? I
told them! I told the other kids that if you were still alive, you'd save me! You promised
me, you said you'd always be there for me! You did it, dad!
A determined father, a promise kept, and a stone rolled away to reveal life and give

12. 12
freedom. The story of Armand's dad reminds us of the events of that first Easter when our
Heavenly Father kept a greater promise by rolling away a much more significant stone.
With the rolling away of that stone, came eternal life, and true lasting freedom in Christ!
And you know what? Our Heavenly Father is still in the business of rolling away stones.
What are the stones in your life? It doesn't matter how big or small they may be, our
Father is looking for you right now. He's looking through the rubble and the ruin of lives
not lived for Him, and He wants to roll away your stone of despair, your rock of remorse,
your bolder of bondage. May you remember, or perhaps even discover for the first time,
that our God has made the greatest promises ever made, and He is abundantly able to
keep them all, just as He kept that very special promise to His own Son some two
thousand years ago.
Acts 13:37-38 "But the one whom God raised from the dead did not see decay. Therefore,
my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed
to you."
[ By: Grant MacDonald -- Ed: Anon. ]