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"LAUGH WITH PAT :)))))))) :))))))))) FUN & INSPIRATION TO LIGHTEN YOUR DAY" - 5 new articles

  1. Best National Geographic Photos 2008
  2. The Power of Appreciation
  3. Grandma's Hands
  4. MATISHA SWIMS WITH DOLPHINS... AAH
  5. Man Reunites with Lions
  6. More Recent Articles
  7. Search LAUGH WITH PAT :)))))))) :))))))))) FUN & INSPIRATION TO LIGHTEN YOUR DAY

Best National Geographic Photos 2008

Best National Geographic Photos of 2008


Thanks to CAROLYN in NY for this submission. She wins this week INSPIRATION SUBMISSION!

Way to go, Carolyn!

Get MORE fun and inspiration... no charge subscription available at
http://LaughWithPat.Blogspot.com





Amazing Gallery of 19 professional photos by National Geographic
























The Power of Appreciation



One day a teacher asked her students to list the names of the
other students in the room on two sheets of paper, leaving a
space between each name.

Then she told them to think of the nicest thing they could say
about each of their classmates and write it down.

It took the remainder of the class period to finish their assignment,
and as the students left the room, each one handed in the papers.

That Saturday, the teacher wrote down the name of each student
on a separate sheet of paper, and listed what everyone else had
said about that individual.

On Monday she gave each student his or her list. Before long,
the entire class was smiling. 'Really?' she heard whispered. 'I
never knew that I meant anything to anyone!' and, 'I didn't know
others liked me so much,' were most of the comments.

No one ever mentioned those papers in class again. She never
knew if they discussed them after class or with their parents,
but it didn't matter. The exercise had accomplished its purpose.
The students were happy with themselves and one another.

That group of students moved on.

Several years later, one of the students was killed in VietNam
and his teacher attended the funeral of that special student.
She had never seen a serviceman in a military coffin before.
He looked so handsome, so mature.

The church was packed with his friends. One by one those
who loved him took a last walk by the coffin. The teacher
was the last one to bless the coffin

As she stood there, one of the soldiers who acted as pall
bearer came up to her. 'Were you Mark's math teacher?'
he asked. She nodded: 'yes.' Then he said: 'Mark talked
about you a lot.'

After the funeral, most of Mark's former classmates went
together to a luncheon..... Mark's mother and father were
there, obviously waiting to speak with his teacher.

'We want to show you something,' his father said, taking
a wallet out of his pocket 'They found this on Mark when
he was killed. We thought you might recognize it.'

Opening the billfold, he carefully removed two worn pieces
of notebook paper that had obviously been taped, folded
and refolded many times....... The teacher knew without
looking that the papers were the ones on which she had
listed all the good things each of Mark's classmates had
said about him.

'Thank you so much for doing that,' Mark's mother said.
'As you can see, Mark treasured it.'

All of Mark's former classmates started to gather around.
Charlie smiled rather sheepishly and said, 'I still have my
list. It's in the top drawer of my desk at home.'

Chuck's wife said, 'Chuck asked me to put his in our
wedding album..'

'I have mine too,' Marilyn said. 'It's in my diary'

Then Vicki, another classmate, reached into her pocket
book, took out her wallet and showed her worn and
frazzled list to the group. 'I carry this with me at all
times,' Vicki said and without batting an eyelash, she
continued: 'I think we all saved our lists'

That's when the teacher finally sat down and cried. She
cried for Mark and for all his friends who would never
see him again.

The density of people in society is so thick that we for
get that life will end one day. And we don't know when
that one day will be.

So please, tell the people you love and care for, that
they are special and important... Tell them, before it
is too late.










Grandma's Hands



GRANDMA'S HANDS A must read thru to the end.

Grandma, some ninety plus years, sat feebly on the patio bench. She didn't move, just sat with her head down staring at her hands.

When I sat down beside her she didn't acknowledge my presence and the longer I sat I wondered if she was OK.

Finally, not really wanting to disturb her but wanting to check on her at the same time, I asked her if she was OK. She raised her head and looked at me and smiled. 'Yes, I'm fine, thank you f or asking,' she said in a clear strong voice.

'I didn't mean to disturb you, grandma, but you were just sitting here staring at your hands and I wanted to make sure you were OK,' I explained to her.

'Have you ever looked at your hands,' she asked. 'I mean real ly looked at your hands?'

I slowly opened my hands and stared down at them. I turned them over, palms up and then palms down. No, I guess I had never really looked at my hands as I tried to figure out the point she was making.

Grandma smiled and related this story:

'Stop and think for a moment about the hands you have, how they have served you well throughout your years. These hands, though wrinkled shriveled and weak have been the tools I have used all my life to reach out and grab and embrace life.

'They braced and caught my fall when as a toddler I crashed upon the floor.

They put food in my mouth and clothes on my back. As a child, my mother taught me to fold them in prayer. They tied my shoes and pulled on my boots. They held my husband and wiped my tears when he went off to war.

'They have been dirty, scraped and raw , swollen and bent. They were uneasy and clumsy when I tried to hold my newborn son. Decorated with my wedding band they showed the world that I was married and loved someone special.

They wrote my letters to him and trembled and shook when I buried my parents and spouse.

'They have held my children and grandchildren, consoled neighbors, and shook in fists of anger when I didn't understand.

They have covered my face, combed my hair, and washed and cleansed the rest of my body. They have been sticky and wet, bent and broken, dried and raw. And to this day when not much of anything else of me works real well these hands hold me up, lay me down, and again continue to fold in prayer.

'These hands are the mark of where I've been and the ruggedness of life.

But more importantly it will be these hands that God will reach out and take when he leads me home. And with my hands He will lift me to His side and there I will use these hands to touch the face of God.'

I will never look at my hands the same again. But I remember God reached out and took my grandma's hands and led her home. When my hands are hurt or sore or when I stroke the face of my children and husband I think of grandma. I know she has been stroked and caressed and held by the hands of God.

I, too, want to touch the face of God and feel His hands upon my face.

When you receive this, say a prayer for the person who sent it to you, and watch God's answer to prayer work in your life. Let's continue praying for one another.

Passing this on to anyone you consider a friend will bless you both..

Passing this on to one not yet considered a friend is something God would do.

************************************************
Thanks to reader Arlene in Walton NY for this inspiring post :)


*****************

WHO do you need to forgive?

ANSWERS at
ILoveForGIVEness.com













MATISHA SWIMS WITH DOLPHINS... AAH

See Matisha's web site for incredible dolphin pics. And wonderful uplifting music
http://www.songofhome.com/





What ELSE Comes from the sea?


Man Reunites with Lions

The men raised this lion when he was a cub, and soon after he reached a size where they could not take care of him they sent him to his homeland. This is footage of their 1 year reunion.


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