Someone shared this lovely and touching post with me, via email (original author unknown), so I needed so much to share it with all of you.

Please take  couple of minutes to read the full text, and I promise you will not regret it.

This post convinced me that actions speak louder than words, and that time is precious to everyone in a different way.

Give a hug to someone special today, and offer a smile to those who have none to give back.

THE CAB RIDE
I
arrived at the address and honked the horn.
After waiting a few minutes
I walked to the
door and knocked.. ‘Just a minute’, answered a
frail, elderly voice. I could hear something
being dragged across the floor.
After
a long pause, the door opened. A small woman in
her 90’s stood before me. She was wearing a
print dress and a pillbox hat with a veil pinned
on it, like somebody out of a 1940’s
movie.
By her side was a small nylon
suitcase. The apartment looked as if no one had
lived in it for years. All the furniture was
covered with sheets.
There were no
clocks on the walls, no knickknacks or utensils
on the counters. In the corner was a cardboard
box filled with photos and
glassware.
‘Would you carry my bag
out to the car?’ she said. I took the suitcase
to the cab, then returned to assist the
woman.
She took my arm and we walked
slowly toward the curb.
She kept
thanking me for my kindness. ‘It’s nothing’, I
told her.. ‘I just try to treat my passengers
the way I would want my mother
treated’.
‘Oh, you’re such a good
boy’, she said. When we got in the cab, she gave
me an address and then asked, ‘Could you drive
through downtown?’
‘It’s not the
shortest way,’ I answered
quickly..
‘Oh, I don’t mind,’ she
said. ‘I’m in no hurry. I’m on my way to a
hospice’.
I looked in the rear-view
mirror. Her eyes were glistening. ‘I don’t have
any family left,’ she continued in a soft
voice.. ‘The doctor says I don’t have very
long.’ I quietly reached over and shut off the
meter.
‘What route would you like me
to take?’ I asked.
For the next two
hours, we drove through the city. She showed me
the building where she had once worked as an
elevator
operator.
We drove through the
neighborhood where she and her husband had lived
when they were newlyweds She had me pull up in
front of a furniture warehouse that had once
been a ballroom where she had gone dancing as a
girl.
Sometimes she’d ask me to slow
in front of a particular building or corner and
would sit staring into the darkness, saying
nothing.
As the first hint of sun was
creasing the horizon, she suddenly said, ‘I’m
tired. Let’s go now’.
We drove in
silence to the address she had given me. It was
a low building, like a small convalescent home,
with a driveway that passed under a
portico.
Two orderlies came out to
the cab as soon as we pulled up. They were
solicitous and intent, watching her every move.
They must have been expecting her.  I
opened the trunk and took the small suitcase to
the door. The woman was already seated in a
wheelchair.
‘How much do I owe you?’
she asked, reaching into her
purse.
‘Nothing,’ I
said
‘You have to make a living,’ she
answered.
‘There are other
passengers,’ I responded.
Almost
without thinking, I bent and gave her a hug. She
held onto me tightly.
‘You gave an
old woman a little moment of joy,’ she
said.
‘Thank you.’
I squeezed her
hand, and then walked into the dim morning
light.. Behind me, a door shut. It was the sound
of the closing of a life..
I didn’t
pick up any more passengers that shift. I drove
aimlessly lost in thought. For the rest of that
day, I could hardly talk. What if that woman had
gotten an angry driver, or one who was impatient
to end his shift?
What
if I had refused to take the run, or had honked
once, then driven away?
On a quick
review, I don’t think that I have done anything
more important in my life.
We’re
conditioned to think that our lives revolve
around great moments.

But great
moments often catch us unaware-beautifully
wrapped in what others may consider a small
one.

PEOPLE MAY NOT REMEMBER EXACTLY
WHAT YOU DID, OR WHAT YOU SAID ~BUT~THEY WILL
ALWAYS REMEMBER HOW YOU MADE THEM
FEEL.

photo credit: evelynishere

If you are one of those people who do not really set any New Year’s Resolutions for themselves, I am one of them, then you will enjoy this post and have a fresh look at what’s important in LIFE, not just in the New Year.

“Life is not measured

by the number of breaths we take.

but by the moments

that take our breath away,”

Think about this.

You may not realize it, but it’s 100% true.

1. At least 2 people in this world love you so much, they would die for you.
2. At least 15 people in this world love you in some way.
3. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don’t like you.
4. Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep.
5. You mean the world to someone.
6. If not for you, someone may not be living.
7. You are special and unique.
8. When you think you have no chance of getting what you want, you probably won’t get it, but if you trust God to do what’s best, and wait on His time, sooner or later you will get it, or something better.
9. When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good can still come from it.
10. When you think the world has turned its back on you, take a look; you most likely turned your back on the world.
11. Someone that you don’t even know exists, loves you.
12. Always remember the compliments you received. Forget about the rude remarks.
13. Always tell someone how you feel about them; you will feel much better when they know, and you’ll both be happy.
14. If you have a great friend, take the time to let them know that they are great.

photo credit: sara.atkins

Marriage has lots of meaning and symbolism, and everyone has his/her unique opinion and interpretation of it.  In addition to your own opinion of what is the definition of marriage, you can check out the secular meaning of marriage , or a Biblical definition of marriage .

Our immediate family celebrated three wedding anniversaries this year:  35th for my husband and I, 5th for our daughter and son-in-law, and 1st for our son and daughter-in-law.  Hence my thoughts about marriage…weddings…anniversaries.

Besides the above interpretations of marriage, here is my favorite take on the subject:  “Marriage is like a Rose Garden”, it looks beautiful and enticing from afar, but it requires lots of TLC to keep it up.  Just like a rose, it is sweet, exiting and beautiful, yet it has its share of thorns.  If you learn how to tend that garden together, you will enjoy the fruits of your labor.  This is not an easy task by any means, especially in today’s world where both spouses have their own professional responsibilities, in addition to their family life together.  It requires lots of understanding, support, and excellent communication skills.  Some people are able to work through their rough terrains, others give up easily, and then there are those with irreconcilable differences, which even professionals are unable to resolve successfully.

Someone forwarded me a link to a very nice article (click here) about this very strong minded wife who used a very unique approach to save her marriage, when her husband of many years, expressed his feelings for her:  “I don’t love you anymore. I’m not sure I ever did”. She was not ready or willing to accept his statement, or “throw in the towel” as one would say, but had her own idea of truly testing it out.

After I read this article, I was so amazed by her courage, her faith in her husband (since she obviously knew him better than he knew himself), and her determination, I was inspired to write this post to share her story with you. I think it was a big gamble on her part, but I guess she felt very confident about her decision, and at the end it worked out to their advantage.

This of course does not mean that it will work for everyone, or even would have worked out for her, had there been other variables involved in this scenario (infidelity, physical/mental abuse, etc).  I don’t think most of us could be this strong and patient, to implement such approach.  But if anyone knows their spouse this well, and feels it is only a phase they are going through, it would not hurt to give it a try.  After all, there will be nothing to lose, and perhaps everything to gain.

I would like to hear your comments.

photo credit: //amy//

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, there is no better time than now to think about friendships, relationships, love, and marriage.  Of course everyone wants to be loved and appreciated all the time, but Valentine’s Day is a perfect time to express it in a very special way.

I came across this article a very long time ago, saved it, and decided to post it at this special time of the year, when so much love is in the air.  I don’t know who the author is, or even where I originally got it from, but would love to share it with all my readers, especially my children, nieces, nephews, and their loved ones.

Twelve Rules For A Happy Marriage:

1. Never both be angry at once.
2. Never yell at each other unless the house is on fire.
3. Yield to the wishes of the other as an exercise in self-discipline, if you can’t think of a better reason.
4. If you have a choice between making yourself or your mate look good, choose    your mate.
5. If you feel you must criticize, do so lovingly.
6. Never bring up a mistake of the past.  Your silence will be greatly appreciated.
7. Neglect the whole world rather than each other.
8. Never let the day end without saying at least one complimentary thing to your life’s partner.
9. Never meet without an affectionate greeting.
10. When you’ve said or done something hurtful, acknowledge it and ask for forgiveness.
11. Remember, it takes two to get an argument going.  Invariably the one who is wrong is the one who will be doing most of the talking.
12. Never go to bed mad.

If you memorize these twelve rules (or print, frame, and display in your bedroom), and apply them to your everyday life, you both will always grow together, and never apart, you and your spouse will be best friends forever, and your home will be a happy place to live in.

Happy Valentine’s Day!!!!

“Love is Honesty”

“Without Honesty, there is no Love”