"What it is"
By Bob Perks

I've discovered something important. I don't think it
is earth shaking. Still, once I realized it, I suddenly
began to understand my life a little better.

This all came about because of recent health issues
both Marianne and I have been facing.

In an effort to understand what was wrong, we were
actually discovering what was not.

Confused? So was I until my wife and I found ourselves
in the emergency room again. It was then that we both
discovered it and began laughing hysterically.

After all our testing, poking and prodding the doctors could
not tell us what was wrong, they could only eliminate all
things that were right.

Our conversations with our doctors both ended the same
way. They have no idea what was causing these things
to happen, only what wasn't causing them.

Now, before any of my medical "friends I've never met" try
emailing me to explain this, I want you to know that
we really do understand. We were tested for the major
concerns so that they could be eliminated immediately.

That's a good thing.

Still, there are no explanations for why they happened. So,
they say, "Everything came back normal." We, in turn, say
"Great!" and then go on with our lives.

The problem is we still want to know "What it is."

When I asked one doctor should I be concerned, he replied
"If it happens again."

I was concerned that it happen once, where did that get me?

Here's what I've learned from this.

This same thing happens in life. People want answers, most
of the time have them, but don't like them because they take
some effort and want something easier to solve the problem.

1. If you are unhappy in marriage.

2. If you're job is physically, slowly, killing you, interfering with

your family life/marriage.

3. If you are over weight.

4. If you always wanted to do ...whatever.

There is only one answer. Ask yourself, "What is it that I am

NOT willing to do?"

Don't list all the things you're doing because they haven't
changed a thing. Look at what you are NOT willing to do.

That may very well be the answer.

The answer for my wife and I has been known to us for a long time.

We both need to begin to eat, live, and think healthy. Our

lifestyle is killing us. It's just too easy to live the lifestyle of "who cares?"

We were NOT willing to exercise, choose healthy habits. That

takes effort. Poor health doesn't.

So, our problem was we knew we were not doing the right thing
and the result was finding ourselves in the ER asking "What
happened?"

They, in turn, told us what didn't happen.

If you are unhappy, over weight, if your job is killing you...you
know "what it is" that's doing it. YOU!

"I wish you enough!"

J

Bob Perks

I encourage you to share my stories but
I do ask that you keep my name and contact
information with my work.

If you would like to receive Bob's Inspirational
stories, please visit http://www.IWishYouEnough.com
and submit your email address.

"I Wish You enough!"
© 2001 Bob Perks

I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.
I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear
much bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish you enough "Hello's" to get you through the final "Goodbye."

P.O. Box 1702

Shavertown, Pa. 18708

Contact Bob 2believe@comcast.net

The Long Winter

I thought all of you might enjoy seeing what we've been dealing with. This is the effect of 34.7 inches of snow since December 6th! Yes you read that correctly.

This is what my house and yard look like right now. Lord help us when all of the snow starts melting. Roofing, guttering, and basement waterproofers will be veryyyyyyy busy!

I've had the basement and the roof done but have the feeling that I will regret that the gutters need work done.

Promise From The Frozen Tundra

Hello friends,

We are frozen and waddling around like oompa loompas in our layers here in the midwest. The temp right now is -26 degrees with a windchill of -45 and very ice roads. So far this winter we have 33.7 inches of snow which is more than we usually have in any given winter. So it's pretty brutal.

Yet in the midst of it all, there is beauty. This is the view I had on the way to work this morning. This is a sundog, a phenomenon that happens when it is very cold and a cool reminder of God's promise in the midst of it all.

Here is Wikipedia's description of what causes sundogs:

A sun dog or sundog (scientific name parhelion, plural parhelia, from "beside the sun"; also called a mock sun) is an atmospheric phenomenon that creates bright spots of light in the sky, often on a luminous ring or halo on either side of the sun.^[1]

Sundogs may appear as a colored patch of light to the left or right of the sun, 22° (or more) distant and at the same distance above the horizon as the sun, and in ice halos. They can be seen anywhere in the world during any season. In Europe and North America, they might be seen as often as twice a week but they are not always obvious or bright. They are best seen and are most conspicuous when the sun is low.

Let Me Not

“Let me not hurt, by any selfish

deed Or thoughtless word, the heart

of foe or friend; Nor would I pass, unseeing,

worthy need, Or sin by silence when

I should defend... 'The world

is better that I lived to-day.'”

—Ella Wheeler Wilcox (1850–1919)

Adventure With Grandma

I remember my first Christmas adventure with Grandma. I was just a kid. I
Remember tearing across town on my bike to visit her on the day my big
Sister dropped the bomb: "There is no Santa Claus," she jeered. "Even
Dummies know that!"

My Grandma was not the gushy kind, never had been. I fled to her that day
Because I knew she would be straight with me. I knew Grandma always told
The truth, and I knew that the truth always went down a whole lot easier
When swallowed with one of her world-famous cinnamon buns. I knew they were
World-famous, because Grandma said so. It had to be true.

Grandma was home, and the buns were still warm. Between bites, I told her
Everything. She was ready for me. "No Santa Claus!" she snorted. "Ridiculous!
Don't believe it. That rumor has been going around for years, and it makes
Me mad, plain mad. Now, put on your coat, and let's go."

"Go? Go where, Grandma?" I asked. I hadn't even finished my second
World-famous, cinnamon bun. "Where" turned out to be Kerby's General
Store, the one store in town that had a little bit of just about everything. As we
Walked through its doors, Grandma handed me ten dollars. That was a bundle
In those days. "Take this money," she said, "and buy something for someone who needs it.

I'll wait for you in the car." Then she turned and walked out of Kerby's.

I was only eight years old. I'd often gone shopping with my mother, but
Never had I shopped for anything all by myself. The store seemed big and
Crowded, full of people scrambling to finish their Christmas shopping. For
A few moments I just stood there, confused, clutching that ten-dollar bill,
Wondering what to buy, and who on earth to buy it for.

I thought of everybody I knew: my family, my friends, my neighbors, the
Kids at school, the people who went to my church. I was just about thought out,

When I suddenly thought of Bobby Decker. He was a kid with bad breath
And messy hair, and he sat right behind me in Mrs.Pollock' s grade-two class.
Bobby Decker didn't have a coat. I knew that because he never went out for recess
During the winter. His mother always wrote a note, telling the teacher that he
Had a cough, but all we kids knew that Bobby Decker didn't have a cough, and
He didn't have a coat. I fingered the ten-dollar bill with growing excitement.
I would buy Bobby Decker a coat!

I settled on a red corduroy one that had a hood to it. It looked real warm,
And he would like that. "Is this a Christmas present for someone?" the lady

Behind the counter asked kindly, as I laid my ten dollars down. "Yes," I
Replied shyly. "It's .... For Bobby." The nice lady smiled at me. I didn't get

Any change, but she put the coat in a bag and wished me a Merry Christmas.

That evening, Grandma helped me wrap the coat in Christmas paper and
Ribbons (a little tag fell out of the coat, and Grandma tucked it in her Bible)
And wrote on the package, "To Bobby, From Santa Claus" -- Grandma said that Santa
Always insisted on secrecy. Then she drove me over to Bobby Decker's house,
Explaining as we went that I was now and forever officially one of Santa's
Helpers.

Grandma parked down the street from Bobby's house, and she and I crept
Noiselessly and hid in the bushes by his front walk Then Grandma gave me
A nudge. "All right, Santa Claus," she whispered, "get going."

I took a deep breath, dashed for his front door, threw the present down on
His step, pounded his doorbell and flew back to the safety of the bushes and
Grandma. Together we waited breathlessly in the darkness for the front door
To open. Finally it did, and there stood Bobby.

Fifty years haven't dimmed the thrill of those moments spent shivering,
Beside my Grandma, in Bobby Decker's bushes. That night, I realized that
Those awful rumors about Santa Claus were just what Grandma said they
Were: ridiculous. Santa was alive and well, and we were on his team.

I still have the Bible, with the tag tucked inside: $19.95.

============ ========= ========= =

He who has no Christmas in his heart will never find Christmas under
A tree.

Desiderata

THE DESIDERATA

by Max Ehlrmann (1948 and 1967)

Go placidly among the noise and haste and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant; they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself.

Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings.

Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the Universe; no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labours and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all its sham and drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy.

Whatever You Did Not Do Unto the Least of Them

© Paulissa Kipp

When I was out shopping yesterday, I saw a homeless person over by the Ace Hardware on 90th. He was wrapped in a coat and further bundled against the frigid cold by a heavy blanket. Nowhere in sight were things like a hat, scarf, gloves or mitten or shoes. At first I thought he might be waiting for the bus, though he was quite a ways from the stop if that were the case. I went into the store and did my shopping but the image of this man huddled against the cold burnished itself into my mind. I came across a rack with hat, mittens and scarves on clearance and bought one of each. I keep an extra pair of socks in the car in case I get stuck in the snow; I grabbed those out of the storage bin and approached the man.

His face was raw and wind burnt, lined by harsh weather and the years. A tear ran down his cheek. I touched him on the shoulder and said, "Sir you must be very cold. I hope these items will warm you. Would you care to join me for a cup of coffee and warm yourself?"

"You've warmed my heart just by stopping but a cup of coffee would be a treat", he said.

I got the car and pulled up beside him and watched him limp a bit as I helped him into the car. "Got that in the war. It acts up more when it's cold outside".

We went into the grocery store and took a seat at a booth in the restaurant. I ordered us both coffee and breakfast. The breakfast special arrived, 2 eggs over easy, toast, and hash browns. The man bowed his head before digging in and then said, "Do you believe in entertaining angels unaware?"

"I do", I said. "I think there are some who look at me and look through me as though by looking away or past me, they can make what is uncomfortable go away" he sighed. He wrapped the toast in his napkin, placed the package tenderly in his pocket, and said "For later".

"Would you like me to take you somewhere warm? You shouldn't be out so long in the cold."

"Yes, but I'd like to wash up a little first. If you'd excuse me." He slowly rose and shuffled to the restroom.

Meanwhile, I thought about he said as I paid our check. He's been in there a long time, I thought. Fifteen passed before I asked a waiter to please go and check on the older gentleman that had been sitting with me. The waiter returned and said, "I don't see him, ma'am."

"Surely he didn't disappear into thin air! Could you please check again?" I said.

The waiter walked off and returned a short time later. "I'm sorry, miss but he isn't there."

As I gathered my things, my eyes fell upon a crumpled, dirty piece of paper on his seat. I slowly opened it, afraid of invading the man's privacy though I didn't know where he went.

Three words jumped off the page; there were no more. "You are beautiful".

Yes sir, you are.