A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....09-15-03....Military Monday

Aquamarine; Billie

[Aquamarine]

I received this nice story thru my e-mail and wanted to share it with all of the special people here.

Too Busy for a Friend...

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 student’s 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 pallbearer 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 pocketbook, 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 forget 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.

[MEG33]

Good morning all.God Bless Our Armed Forces.Thanks to all who created this tribute.I am also praying for all who will be in the path of the storm.The storm is slightly weaker(to 140mph).

[Billie]

Good morning, Aqua. Thank you so much for posting Military Monday today. I know you have a busy day ahead of you. This little boy waving the flag is adorable, and I've already saved him! It will make such a sweet pledge graphic. :)

I need to get some things done and will try to get back early this afternoon. Have a wonderful day!

[MEG33]

Tears,Aqua.You have shared a beautiful story.

[MEG33]

Tears,Aqua.You have shared a beautiful story.

[MEG33]

Tears,Aqua.You have shared a beautiful story.

[dixie sass]

Morning, afternoon and evening!!!!

[dixie sass]

I need lots of caffeine this morning.

[dixie sass]

Art makes life... life is art, in everything we do or say. We are all artists, muscians, poets - some just a little better than others.

Freezie, you disappeared the other night - did you get banished to the boondocks?

[dixie sass]

I feel the same way Aquamarine.

[dixie sass]

I'm terrified. After Hugo and the destruction that it did to the Low-Country...

[MEG33]

Good morning,Dixie.My posting seems to have a hiccup!

[dixie sass]

Morning Dansy. How goes it?

[dixie sass]

Morning jwfiv.

[MEG33]

Prayers sent(((((dixie sass))))))

[dansangel]

(((((((dixie sass)))))))

Hanging in there. Thank you for asking. How goes it for you?

[dixie sass]

You know, everytime I receive that email or find it posted somewhere - it's always at a time when I need to see those words -

Love Y'all.

[dixie sass]

lol, I noticed. Let's see - hide under the desk then jump out and say boo, I bet it will stop hiccuping then!

[dansangel]

What an adorable photo of that little boy waving the flag!

I hope you have a splendid Monday (((((jwfiv)))))

[dansangel]

Hey there, ((((((Cal))))))

Hoping things are going well for you today!