Short Stories or Poems

On the last day before Christmas, I hurried to go to the supermarket to
buy the remaining of the gifts I didn't manage to buy earlier. When I saw
all the people there, I started to complain to myself: "It is going to
take forever here and I still have so many other places to go."

"Christmas really is getting more and more annoying every year. How I
wish I could just lie down, go to sleep and only wake up after it."
Nonetheless, I made my way to the toy section, and there I started to curse the
prices, wondering if after all kids really play with such expensive toys.

While looking in the toy section, I noticed a small boy of about 5
years old, pressing a doll against his chest. He kept on touching the hair of
the doll and looked so sad. I wondered who was this doll for. Then the
little boy turned to the old woman next to him: "Granny, are you sure I don't
have enough money?" The old lady replied: "You know that you don't have
enough money to buy this doll, my dear. "

Then she asked him to stay here for 5 minutes while she went to look
around. She left quickly. The little boy was still holding the doll in his
hand. Finally, I started to walk toward him and I asked him who did he want
to give this doll to. "It is the doll that my sister loved most and wanted
so much for this Christmas. She was so sure that Santa Claus would bring
it to her. " I replied to him that maybe Santa Claus will bring it to her,
after all, and not to worry.

But he replied to me sadly. "No, Santa Claus cannot bring it to her
where she is now. I have to give the doll to my mother so that she can give
it to her when she goes there. " His eyes were so sad while saying this. My
sister has gone to be with God. Daddy says that Mommy will also go to see God
very soon, so I thought that she could bring the doll with her to give it to
my sister. " My heart nearly stopped. The little boy looked up at me and
said: "I told daddy to tell mommy not to go yet. I asked him to wait until I
came back from the store. "

Then he showed me a very nice photo of himself, where he was laughing.
He then told me: "I also want mommy to take this photo with her so that
she will not forget me. " "I love my mommy and I wish she didn't have to
leave me but daddy says that she has to go to be with my little sister. "
Then he looked again at the doll with sad eyes, very quietly. I quickly reached
for my wallet and took a few notes and said to the boy, "What if we
checked again, just in case you have enough money?" "Ok" he said. "I hope that
I have enough. "

I added some of my money to his without him seeing and we started to
count it. There was enough for the doll, and even some spare money. The
little boy said: "Thank you God for giving me enough money. " Then he looked at me
and added: "I asked yesterday before I slept for God to make sure I have
enough money to buy this doll so that mommy can give it to my sister. He heard
me.  "I also wanted to have enough money to buy a white rose for my mommy,
but I didn't dare to ask God too much. But He gave me enough to buy the
doll and the white rose. " "You know, my mommy loves white roses. "

A few minutes later, the old lady came again and I left. I finished my
shopping in a totally different state from when I started. I couldn't
get the little boy out of my mind.

Then I remembered a local newspaper article 2 days ago, which mentioned
of a drunk man in a truck who hit a car where there was one young lady and
a little girl. The little girl died right away, and the mother was left
in a critical state. The family had to decide whether to pull the plug on
the life-assisting machine, because the young lady would not be able to
come out of the coma that she was in. Was this the family of the little boy?


Two days after this encounter with the little boy, I read in the
newspaper that the young lady had passed away. I couldn't stop myself and went to
buy a bunch of white roses and I went to the mortuary where the body of
the young woman was exposed for people to see and make a last wish before
burial. She was there, in her coffin, holding a beautiful white rose in
her hand with the photo of the little boy and the doll placed over her
chest.

I left the place crying, feeling that my life had been changed forever.
The love that this little boy had for his mother and his sister is still,
to this day, hard to imagine. And in a fraction of a second, a drunk man
had taken all this away from him.
 

Computer Prayer

Every night I lie in bed  

This little prayer inside my head  

God bless my Sister, Brother,

Mom and Dad  

and bless my little one.  

Take care of my husband  

who brings me so much fun.  

God there's just one more thing  

I wish that you would do  

if you don't mind me asking  

to just bless my 'puter too??  

Now I know that it's not normal  

to bless a small machine  

but listen just a second  

and I'll try to explain...  

You see, this little metal box  

holds more than odds and ends.  

Inside those small components

rest a hundred loving friends.  

Some its true I've never seen  

and most I've never met  

we've never shaken hands or  

ever truly hugged, and yet..  

I know for sure they love me  

by the kindness they give  

and this little scrap of metal  

is how I get to where they live  

by faith is how I know them  

much the same as I know you.  

I share in what life brings them  

so if it's ok with you..  

just take an extra minute  

from your duties up above..  

to bless this little hunk of steel  

that's filled with so much love.

Death of an Innocent

I went to a party, Mom, I remembered what you said.

You told me not to drink, Mom, so I drank soda instead.

I really felt proud inside, Mom, the way you said I would.

I didn't drink and drive, Mom, even though the others said I should.

I know I did the right thing, Mom, I know you are always right.

Now the party is finally ending, Mom, as everyone is driving out of sight.

As I got into my car, Mom, I knew I'd get home in one piece.

Because of the way you raised me, so responsible and sweet.

I started to drive away, Mom, but as I pulled out into the road,

the other car didn't see me, Mom, and hit me like a load.

As I lay there on the pavement, Mom, I heard the policeman say,

the other guy is drunk, Mom, and now I'm the one who will pay.

I'm lying here dying, Mom, I wish you'd get here soon.

How could this happen to me, Mom? My life just burst like a balloon.

There is blood all around me, Mom, and most of it is mine.

I heard the medic say, Mom, I'll die in a short time.

I just wanted to tell you, Mom, I swear I didn't drink.

It was the others, Mom. The others didn't think.

He was probably at the same party as I.

The only difference is he drank and I will die.

Why do people drink, Mom? It can ruin your whole life.

I'm feeling sharp pains now. Pains just like a knife.

The guy who hit me is walking, Mom, and I don't think it is fair.

I'm lying here dying, Mom, and all he can do is stare.

Tell my brother not to cry, Mom. Tell Daddy to be brave.

And when I go to heaven, Mom, put "Daddy's Girl" on my grave.

Someone should have told him, Mom, not to drink and drive.

If only they had told him, Mom, I would still be alive.

My breath is getting shorter, Mom, I'm becoming very scared.

Please don't cry for me, Mom. When I need you, you were always there.

I have one last question, Mom, before I say good bye.

I didn't drink and drive, Mom, so why am I the one to die?

My little boy came into the kitchen this evening while I was fixing supper and he handed me a piece of paper he'd been writing on.

So, after wiping my hands on my apron, I read it, and this is what it said:

For mowing the grass, $5.
For making my own bed this week, $1.
For going to the store $.50.
For playing with baby brother while you went shopping, $.25
For taking out the trash, $1.
For getting a good report card, $5.
For raking the yard, $2.

I looked at him standing there expectantly, and a thousand memories flashed through my mind.So, I picked up the paper, and turning it over, this is what I wrote:

For the nine months I carried you, growing inside me: No Charge.
For the nights I sat up with you, doctored you prayed for you: No Charge.
For the time and the tears, and the cost through the years: No Charge.
For the nights filled with dread, and the worries ahead: No Charge.
For advice and the knowledge, and the cost of your college: No Charge.
For the toys, food and clothes, and for wiping your nose: No Charge Son.
When you add it all up, the full cost of my love: No Charge.

Well, when he finished reading, he had great big tears in his eyes he looked up at me and he said, "Mama, I sure do love you. "Then he took the pen and in great big letters he wrote : PAID IN FULL

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 saying good-bye.
But at home a difference 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.
As 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 children 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,
and 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 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 love you anyway."
I said, "Son, I love you too,
and I do like the flowers, especially the blue."

Are you aware that if we died tomorrow, the company that we are working for would easily replace us in a matter of days. But the family we left behind will feel the loss for the rest of their lives. And come to think of it, we pour ourselves more into work than to our own family an unwise investment indeed, don't you think? So what is behind the story? Do you know what the word FAMILY means?

Heroin

Behold my friends I am 'Heroin' known to ALL as the destroyer of men.
From where I come from no one knows - a far off land where the poppy grows?
I came to your countries without getting caught,
since that very first day - I've been hunted and sought!
Whole nations have gathered to plot my reduction,
they call me the breeder of crime and destruction!
I am more potent than whiskey - far deadlier than wine,
yes I am the scrooge of the entire mankind!
My little white grains are nothing but waste,
I am soft and I'm fluffy - but bitter with taste.
I am white, I am brown I am deadly to use
and once your addicted I REALLY abuse!
I'm known in China, Iraq and Iran,
I'm welcomed in Turkey and of course Amsterdam.
In small sachet bags I make my way,
to men in the office and children at play.
From heads of state - to the lowest of bums,
The richest estates - to the dirtiest of slums.
I take a rich man and make him poor,
I will take a lady and make her a whore!
I can make you steal, borrow or beg,
and will search for a vein in your arm or your leg!
I'm well known to the selfish and those filled with greed,
all faceless regardless of religion or creed.
MY gift is illusion - my blessing is fact,
I will make you lie down on your belly or back.
In the lives of death and to all that I touch,
I will start as a gift and end as a crutch.
My friends there are many - but I am loyal to NONE,
I come to destroy you - my works NEVER done!

Run from me and I will NEVER give chase,
for sooner or later you WILL return for your taste!
Once in your bloodstream - you will think me not mean,
You'll praise me the monster who nods off in your dream!

You've heard my WARNING - but won't take any heed,
so put your foot in my stirrup and mount this great steed!
Get right in my saddle - hold on tight and real well,
for the great white horse HEROIN will take you to HELL

Witness for Breast Cancer
 A handsome, middle-aged man walked quietly into a cafe and sat down. Before he ordered, he couldn't help but notice a group of younger men at the table next to him. It was obvious they were making fun of something about him, and it wasn't until he remembered he was wearing a small pink ribbon on the lapel of his suit that he became aware of what the joke was all about.  The man brushed off the reaction as ignorance, but the smirks began to get to him. He looked one of the rude men square in the eye, placed his hand beneath the ribbon and asked, quizzically, "This?".  With that the men all began to laugh out loud. The man he addressed said as he fought back laughter, "Hey, sorry man, but we were just commenting on how pretty your little ribbon looks against your blue jacket!"  The middle aged man calmly motioned for the joker to come over to his table and invited him to sit down. As uncomfortable as he was, the guy
obliged, not really sure why.  In a soft voice, the middle aged man said, "I wear this ribbon to bring awareness about breast cancer. I wear it in my mother's honor."  "Oh, sorry dude. She died of breast cancer?"   "No, she didn't. She's alive and well. But her breasts nourished me as an infant, and were a soft resting place for my head when I was scared or lonely as a little boy. I'm very grateful for my mother's breasts, and her health."   "Umm," the stranger replied, "yeah."  "And I wear this ribbon to honor my wife," the middle aged man went on.  "And she's okay, too?", the other guy asked.  "Oh, yes. She's fine. Her breasts have been a great source of loving  pleasure for both of us, and with them she nurtured and nourished our beautiful daughter 23 years ago. I am grateful for my wife's breasts, and for her health."   "Uh huh. And I guess you wear it to honor your daughter, also?"   "No. It's too late to honor my daughter by wearing it now. My daughter died of breast cancer one month ago. She thought she was too young to have breast  cancer, so when she accidentally noticed a small lump, she ignored it.  She  thought that since it wasn't painful, it must not be  anything to worry about."  Shaken and ashamed, the now sober stranger said, "Oh, man, I'm so sorry mister."   "So, in my daughter's memory, too, I proudly wear this little ribbon, which allows me the opportunity to enlighten others. Now, go home and talk to your wife and your daughters, your mother, and your friends."  "And here .......... "  The middle-aged man reached in his pocket and handed the other man a little pink ribbon.   The guy looked at it, slowly raised his head and asked, "Can you help me put it on?"  Do regular breast self exams and have annual mammograms if you are a woman over the age of 40. And encourage those women ( and men) you love to do the same.

A CANDLE LOSES NOTHING BY LIGHTING ANOTHER CANDLE.

Here's a question posed by a student to God:

Dear God, Why didn't you save the school children in Littleton, Colorado?
Sincerely, Concerned Student
Dear Concerned Student, I am not allowed in schools. Sincerely, God
...Now, read below for how this has unfolded in an incredibly short period of
time:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Let's see, I think it started when Madeline Murray O'Hare complained she
didn't want any prayer in our schools. And we said, OK...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Then, someone said you better not read the Bible in school, the Bible that
says "thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, and love your neighbor as
yourself."
And we said, OK...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dr. Benjamin Spock said we shouldn't spank our children when they misbehave
because their little personalities would be warped and we might damage their
self- esteem.
And we said, an expert should know what he's talking about so we won't spank
them anymore...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Then someone said teachers and principals better not discipline our children
when they misbehave. And the school administrators said no faculty member in
this school better touch a student when they misbehave because we don't want
any bad publicity, and we surely don't want to be sued.
And we accepted their reasoning...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Then someone said, let's let our daughters have abortions if they want, and
they won't even have to tell their parents.
And we said, that's a grand idea...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Then some wise school board member said, since boys will be boys and they're
going to do it anyway, let's give our sons all the condoms they want, so they
can have all the fun they desire, and we won't have to tell their parents
they got them at school.
And we said, that's another great idea...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Then some of our top elected officials said it doesn't matter what we do in
private as long as we do our jobs.
And we said, it doesn't matter what anybody, including the President, does in
private as long as we have jobs and the economy is good...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

And then someone said let's print magazines with pictures of nude women and
call it wholesome down-to-earth appreciation for the beauty of the female
body.
And we said, we have no problem with that...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
And someone else took that appreciation a step further and published pictures
of nude children and then stepped further still by making them available on
the Internet.
And we said, everyone's entitled to free speech...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
And the entertainment industry said, let's make TV shows and movies that
promote profanity, violence and illicit sex... And let's record music that
encourages rape, drugs, murder, suicide, and satanic themes... And we said,
it's just entertainment and it has no adverse effect and nobody takes it
seriously anyway, so go right ahead...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Now we're asking ourselves why our children have no conscience, why they
don't know right from wrong, and why it doesn't bother them to kill
strangers, classmates or even themselves.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Undoubtedly, if we thought about it long and hard enough, we could figure it
out. I'm sure it has a great deal to do with...

"WE REAP WHAT WE SOW."

To a good friend!!

One day, when I was a freshman in high school, I saw a kid from my class he was walking home from school. His name was Kyle. It looked like he was carrying all of his books. I thought to myself, "Why would anyone bring home all his books on a Friday? He must really be a nerd." I had quite a weekend planned  (parties and a football game with my friends tomorrow afternoon), so I shrugged my shoulders and went on.   As I was walking, I saw a bunch of kids running toward him. They ran at him, knocking all his books out of his arms and tripping him so he landed in the dirt.
His glasses went flying, and I saw them land in the grass about ten feet from him.  He looked up and I saw this terrible sadness in his eyes. My heart went out to him.  So, I jogged over to him and as he crawled around looking for his glasses,  I saw a tear in his eye. As I handed him his glasses, I said, "Those guys are jerks. They really should get lives." He looked at me and said, "Hey thanks!"   There was a big smile on his face. It was one of those smiles that showed real gratitude. I helped him pick up his books, and asked him where he lived. As it turned out, he lived near me, so I asked him why I had never seen him before. He said he had gone to private school before now. I would have never hung out with a private school kid before.
We talked all the way home, and I carried his books.   He turned out to be a pretty cool kid. I asked him if he wanted to play football on Saturday
with me and my friends. He said yes. We hung all weekend and the more I got to know Kyle, the more I liked him, and my friends thought the same of him.   Monday morning came, and there was Kyle with the huge stack
of books again. I stopped him and said, "Boy, you are gonna really build some
serious muscles with this pile of books everyday!"  He just laughed and handed me
half the books.   Over the next four years, Kyle and I became best friends.
When we were seniors, we began to think about college. Kyle decided
on Georgetown, and I was going to Duke. I knew that we would always be friends, that the miles would never be a problem. He was going to be a doctor, and I was going for business on a football
scholarship.   Kyle was valedictorian of our class. I teased him all the time
about being a nerd.  He had to prepare a speech for graduation. I was so glad it wasn't me having to get up there and speak.   Graduation day, I saw Kyle. He looked great. He was one of those guys that really found himself during high
school. He filled out and actually looked good in glasses. He had more dates than I had and all the girls loved him. Boy, sometimes I was jealous.   Today was one of those days. I could see that he was nervous about his speech. So, I smacked him on the back and said, "Hey, big guy, you'll be great!" He looked at me with one of those looks (the really grateful one) and smiled. "Thanks," he said.   As he started his speech, he cleared his throat, and began. "Graduation is a time to thank those who helped you make it through those tough years. Your parents, your teachers, your siblings, maybe a coach, but mostly your friends . I am here to tell all of you that being a friend to someone, is the best gift you can give them. I am going to tell you a story." I just looked at my friend with disbelief as he told the story of the first day we met. He had planned to kill himself over the weekend. He talked of how he had cleaned out his locker so his Mom wouldn't have to do it later and was carrying all his stuff  home.
He looked hard at me and gave me a little smile. "Thankfully, I was saved. My friend saved me from doing the unspeakable." I heard the gasp go through
the crowd as this handsome, popular boy told us all about his weakest moment.
I saw his Mom and Dad looking at me and smiling that same grateful smile.
Not until that moment did I realize it's depth. Never underestimate the power
of your actions. With one small gesture you can change a person's life.
For better or for worse. God puts us all in each other's lives to
impact one another in  some way. Look for God in others.