THE LIGHTS OF EARTH

I GOT THIESE PICTURES IN AN EMAIL AND WANTED TO SHARE THEM WITH EVERYONE

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT

F A M I L Y

I ran into a stranger as he passed by,
'Oh excuse me please' was my reply.


He said, 'Please excuse me too;
I wasn't watching for you.'

We were very polite, this stranger and I.
We went on our way as we said our goodbye.


But at home a different story is told,
How we treat our loved ones, young and old.


Later that day, cooking the evening meal,
My son stood beside me very still.


When I turned, I nearly knocked him down.
'Move out of the way,' I said with a frown.


He walked away, his little heart broken.
I didn't realize how harshly I'd spoken.


While I lay awake in bed,
God's still small voice came to me and said,


'While dealing with a stranger,
common courtesy you use,
but the family you love, you seem to abuse.


Go and look on the kitchen floor,
You'll find some flowers there by the door.


Those are the flowers he brought for you.
He picked them himself: pink, yellow and blue.


He stood very quietly not to spoil the surprise,
you never saw the tears that filled his little eyes.


By this time, I felt very small,
And now my tears began to fall.


I quietly went and knelt by his bed;
'Wake up, little one, wake up,' I said.


'Are these the flowers you picked for me?'
He smiled, 'I found 'em, out by the big tall tree.
I picked 'em because they're pretty like you.
I knew you'd like 'em, especially the blue.'


I said, 'Son, I'm very sorry for the way I acted today;
I shouldn't have yelled at you that way.'


He said, 'Oh, Mom, that's okay.


I'll always love you anyway.'


I said, 'Son, I love you too,
and I do like the flowers, especially the blue.'


FAMILY
Are you aware that if we died tomorrow, the company that
we are working for could easily replace us in a matter of days,
but the family we left behind will feel the loss for the rest of thier lives.


And come to think of it, we pour ourselves more into our work than our own family, an unwise investment indeed,

don't you think?


So what is behind the real story?


Do you REALLY know what the word FAMILY means?
FAMILY = (F)ATHER (A)ND (M)OTHER (I) (L)OVE (Y)OU

OH HAPPY DAY

TODAY IS ONE OF THOSE DAYS TO REMEMBER. A VERY HAPPY DAY IN MY LIFE. I WENT TO COURT THIS MORNING FOR MY NAME CHANGE. I AM NOW OFFICIALY A RIEDEL AND THAT IS SOMETHING THAT MAKES ME VERY HAPPY. THIS IS SOMETHING THAT I HAVE WANTED FOR A LONG TIME. I LOVE MY DAD VERY MUCH. MY DAD HAS ALWAYS BEEN A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF MY LIFE. HE HAS ALWAYS BEEN THERE FOR ME EVEN WHEN THINGS WERE NOT GOING SO WELL FOR ME. HE IS ONE OF MY FISHING BUDDIES, WE HAVE BUILT THINGS TOGETHER AND HAD ALOT OF FUN DOING IT. HE HAS TAUGHT ME ALOT AND I AM A BETTER PERSON FOR IT. I LOVE YOU DAD AND I AM VERY PROUD TO BE ABLE TO SAY MY NAME IS ROBERT DEAN RIEDEL.

THE FISHING GODS SMILE ON US AGAIN

YESTERDAY WHEN MOM AND I WENT FISHING IT STARTED OUT REALLY SLOW BUT ONCE AGAIN THE FISHING GODS SMILED ON US AND THINGS TURNED OUR WAY. THE COUNT FOR GOLDEN FOR ME THIS YEAR IS NOW 32. YEE HAW WHAT A DAY. HERE IS A PIC OF MY CATCH FOR THE DAY.

A DAY TO REMEMBER

YESTERDAY MOM AND I GOT TO DO SOMETHING THAT WE HAVE NOT GOT TO DO IN A VERY LONG TIME. WE SPENT THE DAY TOGETHER DOING SOMETHING THAT WE BOTH ENJOY DOING VERY MUCH. WE SPENT THE DAY FISHING JUST THE 2 OF US. IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL DAY. WE HAD A BLAST AND WE CAUGHT A BUNCH OF FISH. I LOVE MY MOM VERY MUCH AND AM VERY THANKFUL FOR THE TIME THAT WE GET TO SPEND TOGETHER. YESTERDAY WAS A GIFT FROM HEAVEN FOR ME. MOM DID SOMETHING SHE HAS BEEN WAITING FOR FOR A LONG TIME BUT YOU WILL HAVE TO READ ABOUT IT IN SHARONS CORNER. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH MOM FOR THE BEAUTIFUL DAY. IT DEFFINATLEY IS A DAY TO REMEMBER.

JOKE OF THE DAY

The Back Pew......

A pastor's wife was expecting a baby, so he stood before the congregation and asked for a raise.
After much discussion, they passed a rule that whenever the preacher's family expanded, so would his paycheck.



After 6 children, this started to get expensive and the congregation decided to hold another meeting to discuss the preacher's expanding salary. A great deal of yelling and inner bickering ensued, as to how much the clergyman's additional children
were costing the church, and how much more it could potentially cost.



After listening to them for about an hour, the pastor rose from his chair and spoke, 'Children are a gift from God, and we will take
as many gifts as He gives us. Silence fell on the congregation.



In the back pew, a little old lady struggled to stand, and finally said in her frail voice, 'Rain is also a gift from God, but when we get too much of it, we wear rubbers.'



The entire congregation said, 'Amen ~ Hallelujah'...

HAPPY FATHERS DAY

JUST WANTED TO TAKE A MOMENT AND WISH ALL THE DADS IN MY FAMILY A HAPPY FATHERS DAY. MY DAD JIM MY UNCLE BUTCH MY UNCLE ARLAN MY COUSIN ED MY BROTHERS RICK AND KEVIN AND MY BROTHER IN LAW ROB. HAVE A GREAT DAY GUYS AND TAKE IT EASY.

I WANT TO BUILD SOMETHING DAD

THIS MORNING I SEE AMY LEE PULING A PAIR OF NEEDLE NOSE PLIERS ACROSS THE FLOOR. SHE KNOCKED THEM OFF MY SIDE TABLE AND PROCEED TO TAKE THEM IN THE LIVING ROOM TO HIDE. SHE MUST BE GETTING READY TO BUILD SOMETHING LOL.

A HEART WARMING STORY

In a zoo in California , a mother tiger gave birth to a rare set of triplet tiger cubs. Unfortunately,due to complications in the pregnancy, the cubs were born prematurely and due to their tiny size, they died shortly after birth.

The mother tiger after recovering from the delivery, suddenly started to decline in health, although physically she was fine. The veterinarians felt that the loss of her litter had caused the tigress to fall into a depression. The doctors decided that if the tigress could surrogate another mother's cubs, perhaps she would improve.

After checking with many other zoos across the country, the depressing news was that there were no tiger cubs of the right age to introduce to the mourning mother. The veterinarians decided to try something that had never been tried in a zoo environment. Sometimes a mother of one species will take on the care of a different species. The only 'orphans' that could be found quickly, were a litter of weanling pigs. The zoo keepers and vets wrapped the piglets in tiger skin and placed the babies around the mother tiger. Would they become cubs or pork chops??

Now, please tell me one more time .........?
Why can't the rest of the world get along??

A POEM FROM MY DAUGHTER

IN APRIL OF 2001 WE HAD A BIG FAMILY GATHERING. IT WAS MY GRANDMA AND MY BIRTHDAY. ONE OF THE THINGS THAT MADE THIS A VERY SPECIAL TIME WAS I GOT REUNITED WITH MY DAUGHTER FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 14 YEARS. IT WAS AMAZING. WHEN SHE WENT BACK HOME SHE WROTE A POEM AND DEDICATED IT TO ME. WHEN I FIRST READ IT I CRIED AND I STILL GET CHOKED UP EVERY TIME I READ IT. HERE IT IS.

ALL THIS TIME
ALL THIS TIME THAT CAME AND WENT
AT LAST I FELT HOW MUCH I MEANT
I KNEW IN MY HEART AND WAS WELL AWARE
NO MATTER WHAT YOUV'E HAD TO CARE
NO ONE FORGETS OF THE FLESH THEY CREATE
YET SOME FAIL TO REALIZE, IT'S NEVER TO LATE

IT'S COMFORT TO KNOW FROM WHOM I RECIEVE
THE DEPTH OF MY HEART AND STRENGTH TO BELIEVE
MY TOUCHING WAY TO WRITE IN RHYME
MY TRUST IN THE HANDS OF PATIENCE AND TIME
UNDERSTANDING EXPRESSION AND THE ABILITY TO FEEL
JUST OUR WAY OF KNOWING ALL WOUNDS WILL HEAL.

MUCH OF OUR SOULS ARE SAME IN EXACT
NOW I'M COMPLEATED I KNOW FOR A FACT
I SAW WHAT WAS MISSING BETWEEN YOU AND I
AND NO LONGER WILL I WONDER WHY
ALL OUR LOSS IS SURE TO REGAIN
FOR MY LIFE AND HEART ARE CONVINCED YOU REMAIN

DEDICATED TO ROBERT DEAN OPENSHAW
BY SENICA A. OPENSHAW
WRITTEN MAY 18TH, 2001

A BEAUTIFUL COUPLE

I GOT A LETTER FROM MY DAUGHTER YESTERDAY AND IN IT WAS A PICTURE OF HER AND HER FIANCE. HIS NAME IS JR. THEY MAKE A BEAUTIFUL COUPLE DON'T YOU AGREE. I AM SO HAPPY FOR BOTH OF THEM. THEY ARE GOING TO GET MARRIED ON THE 31ST OF AUGUST. CONGRADULATIONS TO THE BOTH OF YOU.

JOKE OF THE DAY

An 85-year-old man was requested by his doctor for a sperm count as part of his physical exam.

The doctor gave the man a jar and said, 'Take this jar home and bring back a semen sample tomorrow.'

The next day the 85-year-old man reappeared at the doctor's office and gave him the jar, which was as clean and empty as on the previous day.

The doctor asked what happened and the man explained, 'Well, doc, it's like this--first I tried with my right hand, but nothing. Then I tried with my left hand, but still nothing.

'Then I asked my wife for help. She tried with her right hand, then with her left, still nothing. She tried with her mouth, first with her teeth in, then with her teeth out, still nothing.

'We even called up Arleen, the lady next door and she tried too, first with both hands, then an armpit, and she even tried squeezing it between her knees, but still nothing.'

The doctor was shocked! 'You asked your neighbour?'

The old man replied, 'Yep, none of us could get the jar open.'

.

A FIRST FOR MY COUSIN ED

THIS WEEKEND WAS MY COUSIN EDS FIRST VISIT TO OUR FAVORITE FISHING HOLE. AND HE DID GOOD. HE CAUGHT HIS FIRST GOLDEN AND I THINK THAT HE ENJOYED HIMSELF. I WAS SO GLAD THAT HE GOT TO COME AND VISIT. WAY TO GO ED.

WHAT A WAY TO SPEND A BIRTHDAY

SATURDAY WAS MY UNCLE BUTCHS BIRTHDAY AND WHAT A WAY TO SPEND IT. HE GOT TO GO FISHING. I AM SO VERY THANKFUL THAT I GOT TO SPEND SOME TIME ON HIS BIRTHDAY DOING SOMETHING WITH HIM THAT HE ENJOYS.I LOVE YOU UNCLE BUTCH AND AM GLAD THAT YOU GOT TO DO SOMETHING THAT YOU ENJOY ON YOUR BIRTHDAY.

A GOLDEN WEEKEND

THIS WEEKEND WE HAD A VISIT FORM MY AUNT KERRY UNCLE BUTCH COUSIN DEE AND COUSIN ED.ON SATURDAY THE GUYS GOT TOGETHER AND MET OUT AT OSTER LAKES FOR A LITTLE FISHING RELAXATION. IT WAS A LITTLE SLOW OUT THERE THIS WEEKEND BUT WE HAD A LOT OF FUN. IT WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT MY COUSIN ED HAS BEEN THERE AND HGIS FIRST FISH WAS A GOLDEN TROUT. HIP HIP HOORAY FOR YOU ED. MY DAD AND MY UNCLE BUTCH ALSO CAUGHT SOME NICE GOLDENS AS WELL. WAY TO GO GUYS I HAD A BLAST AND AM LOOKING FORWARD TO THE NEXT TIME WE GET TO GO OUT THERE.

JOKE OF THE DAY

Morris and his wife Esther went to the state fair every year, and every year Morris would say, 'Esther,I'd like to ride in that helicopter.'
Esther always replied, 'I know Morris, but that helicopter ride is fifty dollars, and fifty dollars is fifty dollars'
One year Esther and Morris went to the fair, and Morris said, 'Esther, I'm 85 years old. If I don't ride that helicopter, I might never get another chance.'
To this, Esther replied, 'Morris that helicopter ride is fifty dollars, and fifty dollars is fifty dollars.'
The pilot overheard the couple and said, 'Folks I'll make you a deal. I'll take the both of you for a ride. If you can stay quiet for the entire ride and don't say a word I won't charge you a penny! But if you say one word it's fifty dollars.'
Morris and Esther agreed and up they went. The pilot did all kinds of fancy maneuvers, but not a word was heard. He did his daredevil tricks over and over again, but still not a word.
When they landed, the pilot turned to Morris and said, 'By golly, I did everything I could to get you to yell out, but you didn't. I'm impressed!'
Morris replied,

'Well, to tell you the truth, I almost said something when Esther fell out, but you know, fifty dollars is fifty dollars!'

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY

I JUST WANTED TO TAKE A LITTLE TIME AND WISH ALL THE BEAUTIFUL WOMEN IN MY LIFE A VERY HAPPY MOTHERS DAY.
MOM GRANDMA AUNT KERRY AUNT KAYE MY SIS KATHY AND LAST BUT DEFINATLY NOT LEAST MY COUSIN DEE. YOU ALL HAVE HAD AN IMPACT ON MY LIFE AND I AM A BETTER PERSON FOR IT. I LOVE YOU ALL VERY MUCH AND WISH YOU ALL THE VERY BEST DAY POSSIBLE.

MORE ON THE DECK

I SPENT SATURDAY YARD SALING AND THRIFT STORING FOR ITEM FOR MY DECK AND FOUND SOME GREAT STUFF. WHAT DO YOU THINK

DON'T JUMP

ON THE WAY HOME TONIGHT THERE WERE A COUPLE OF B.A.S.E. JUMPERS ON THE BRIDGE. SO I STOPPPED TO TAKE A COUPLE OF PICTURES.

MY FAVORITE FISHING HOLE

OSTER LAKES IS ONE OF MY FAVORITE PLACES TO FISH. OK IT IS A SMALL LAKE AND CAN GET CROWDED. BUT IST IS STILL A VERY FUN PLACE TO GO AND IS VERY RELAXING. TO ME IT IS ALSO VERY BEAUTIFUL. ESPECIALY IN THE MORNING WHEN THE SUN FIRST COMES UP.HERE ARE SOME PICTURES I WANTED TO SHARE WITH YOU ALL. OH AND IT IS FULL OF GOLDEN TROUT.

MY FISHING COMPANION

I HAD A FISHING COMPANION TODAY. THIS CUTE LITTLE (WHO AM I KIDDING THIS HUGE) ROCK CHUCK CAME INTO THE PLACE WHERE I WAS FISHING TO VISIT AND EAT THE GRASS AROUND THERE. THEY ARE SO CUTE. LAST YEAR MOM AND DAD AND I WERE FISHING AND A BUNCH OF THEM CAME IN AND WAS CLIMBING THE MULBERRY TREE TO GET THE BERRIES. AND KEEP FALLING OUT OF THE TREE. OK THEY ARE NOT THE SMARTEST CREATURE THEY COULD OF JUST EATEN THE ONES ON THE GROUND LOL BUT THEY ARE STILL CUTE. I WANT ONE.

THE FISHING GODS BLESSED ME AGAIN

YEEEEEE HAAAAAW I WENT FISHING TODAY, AND BOY WHAT A DAY. FIRST OFF I GOT UP LATE SO I DID NOT GET TO MY FAVORITE FISHING HOLE TILL AFTER DAY BREAK. SO WHEN I GOT THERE I KNEW MY FAVORITE SPOT TO FISH WAS GOING TO BE TAKEN. SURPRISE I WAS THE FIRST ONE THERE. IT STARTED OUT GOOD THE FISH WERE BITING AND I HAD THE PLACE TO MYSELF FOR ABOUT AN HOUR AND A HALF. I WAS CATCHING FISH BUT THEY WERE SMALL ONES. BUT I WAS STILL HAVING FUN. THEN IT GOT QUIET AND PEOPLE STARTED SHOWING UP. A FRIEND OF MINE PUT HIS LITTLE BOAT IN THE WATER AND AS SOON AS HE GOT OUT IN THE MIDDLE I CAUGHT MY FIRST GOLDEN WOW WHAT A FISH TO HE WAS HUGE HAD TO BE BETWEEN 2 OR 3 POUNDS AND WHAT A FIGHTER. IN THE NEXT HOUR I CAUGHT 3 MORE GOLDEN AND SOME NICE RAINBOWS AS WELL. ALL AND ALL I CAUGHT 27 FISH TODAY. YEEEEEE HAAAAAW WHAT A GREAT DAY. THE ONLY THING THAT WAS MISSING FORM TODAY WAS DAD AND UNCLE BUTCH.

ANOTHER BIRTHDAY PRESENT

I ALSO WANT TO THANK MY COUSIN DEE ED AND NICK FOR THE AWESOME CD THEY SENT ME. IT WAS ONE THAT I HAVE WANTED FOR A LONG TIME. IT IS CALLED DESPERATE SOULS SOUNDTRACK. IT HAS SOME VERY OBSCURE MUSIC. VERY HARD ROCK. AND THE MOVIE IS VERY DARK. THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH GUYS I LOVE IT AND LISTEN TO IT ALL THE TIME. YOU GUYS ROCK AND I LOVE YOU ALL VERY MUCH. I TRIED TO TAKE A PICTURE OF IT BUT IT WOULD NOT COME OUT.

MOVIE OF THE WEEK

HERE IT IS THIS WEEKS MOVIE YOUR HINT (A WOMAN PRTENDING TO BE A MAN PRETENDING TO BE A WOMAN)

THE QUILT THAT AUNT KERRY MADE

TODAY I GOT A PACKAGE FROM MY AUNT KERRY AND UNCLE BUTCH. IN IT WAS A WONDERFUL QUILT THAT MY AUNT KERRY MADE FOR ME FOR MY BIRTHDAY. IT IS BEAUTIFUL. I LOVE GETTING GIFTS THAT ARE MADE. THEY ARE MADE WITH LOVE. AWESOME JOB AUNT KERRY THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH I LOVE YOU AND UNCLE BUTCH VERY MUCH.