WORRY

Is there a magic cutoff period when 
Offspring become accountable for their own 
Actions?

Is there a wonderful moment when 
Parents can become detached spectators in 
The lives of their children and shrug, 'It's 
Their life,' and feel nothing?

When I was in my twenties , I stood in a hospital 
Corridor waiting for doctors to put a few 
Stitches in my daughter's head..  I asked, 'When do 
You stop worrying?'  The nurse said, 
'When they get out of the accident stage..'  My 
Dad just smiled faintly and said nothing.

When I was in my thirties, I sat on a little 
Chair in a classroom and heard how one of my 
Children talked incessantly, disrupted the class, 
And was headed for a career making 
License plates.  As if to read my mind, a teacher 
Said, 'Don't worry, they all go through 
This stage and then you can sit back, relax and 
Enjoy them.'  My dad just smiled 
Faintly and said nothing.

When I was in my forties, I spent a lifetime 
Waiting for the phone to ring, the cars to come 
Home, the front door to open.  A friend said, 
'They're trying to find themselves.  Don't! worry, 
In a few years, you can stop worrying..  They'll be 
Adults.'  My dad just smiled faintly 
And said nothing.

By the time I was 50, I was sick & tired of being 
Vulnerable.  I was still worrying over my 
Children, but there was a new wrinkle.  There 
Was nothing I could do about it.  My 
Dad just smiled faintly and said nothing.  I 
Continued to anguish over their failures, be 
Tormented by their frustrations and absorbed in 
Their disappointments.

My friends said that when my kids got married I 
Could stop worrying and lead my own 
Life.  I wanted to believe that, but I was 
Haunted by my dad's warm smile and his 
Occasional, 'You look pale.  Are you all right?  
Call me the minute you get home.  Are 
You depressed about something?'

Can it be that parents are sentenced to a 
Lifetime of worry?  Is concern for one another 
Handed down like a torch to blaze the trail of 
Human frailties and the fears of the 
Unknown?  Is concern a curse or is it a virtue 
That elevates us to the highest form of life?

One of my children became quite irritable 
Recently, saying to me, 'Where were you?  I've been 
Calling for 3 days, and no one answered I was worried.'

I smiled a warm smile.  
The torch has been passed. 

Warning

                             from police (NOT a joke)

                             Warning..!!!!   

Warning..!!!!   

                             Warning..!!!!

Just last weekend on Friday night we parked in a public parking area. As we

drove away I noticed a sticker on the rear window of the car. When= I took it

off after I got home, it was a receipt for gas. Luckily my friend told

me not to stop as it could be someone waiting for me to get out of the

car. Then we received this email yesterday:

WARNING FROM POLICE

THIS APPLIES TO BOTH WOMEN AND MEN BEWARE OF PAPER ON

 

 THE BACK WINDOW OF YOUR VEHICLE-- NEW WAY TO DO

 

CARJACKINGS (NOT A JOKE)'

Heads up everyone! Please, keep this circulating.. You walk across the

 

parking lot, unlock your car and get inside You start the engine and

shift into Reverse. When you look into the rearview mirror to back out of your

parking space, you notice a piece of paper stuck to the middle of the rear

 

window. So, you shift into Park, unlock your doors, and jump out of your car

 

to remove that paper (or whatever it is) that is obstructing your view. When

 

you reach the back of your car, that is when the car jackers appear out

of nowhere, jump into your car and take off. They practically mow you down

 

as they speed off in your car. And guess what, ladies? I bet your purse is

still in the car. So now the car jacker has your car, your home address, your

money, and your keys. Your home and your whole identity are now

 

compromised!

BEWARE OF THIS NEW SCHEME THAT IS NOW BEING USED.

If you see a piece of paper stuck to your back window, just drive away. Remove the paper later. And be thankful that you read this e-mail. I hope you will forward this to friends and family, especially to women. A purse 
contains all kinds of personal information and identification documents,
and you certainly do NOT want this to fall into the wrong hands.
Please keep this going and tell all your friends

Here's a Smart Car.......
 

 
Below is a photo of a wreck in Jefferson Parish, LA (near New Orleans ) between two trucks and a Smart Car.  Think I'll pass on the Smart Car.

This is from an article in the St. Petersburg Times Newspaper on Sunday.  The Business Section asked readers for ideas on "How Would You Fix the Economy?"  I think this guy nailed it!

Dear Mr. President:

Please find below my suggestion for fixing America 's economy.  Instead of giving billions of dollars to companies that will squander the money on lavish parties and unearned bonuses, use the following  plan.

You can call it the Patriotic Retirement Plan:

There are about 40 million people over 50 in the workforce.  Pay them each $1 million severance for early retirement with the following stipulations:

1) They MUST retire.  Forty million job openings - Unemployment fixed.

2) They MUST buy a new American car.  Forty million cars ordered - Auto industry fixed.

3) They MUST either buy a house or payoff their existing mortgage - Housing crisis fixed.

It can't get any easier than that!  If more money is needed, have all members of Congress pay their taxes.

If you think this would work, please forward to everyone you know.  If not, please disregard.