pal19's blog: "thinkers"

Some years ago, on a hot summer day in South Florida, a little boy >>> >decided >>> >to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house. In a >>> >hurry to dive >>> >into the cool water, he >>>ran out the back door, leaving behind >>> >shoes,socks, >>> >and shirt as he went. He flew into the water, not realizing that as >>> >he swam >>> >toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward >>> >theshore. >>> > >>> >His father, working in the yard, saw the two as they got closer and >>> >closer >>> >together. In utter fear, he ran toward the water, yelling to his >>> >son as loudly >>> >as he could. Hearing his voice, the little boy became alarmed and >>> >made a >>> >U-turn to swim to his father. It was too late. Just as he reached >>> >his father, >>> >the alligator reached him. From the dock, the father grabbed his >>> >little boy >>> >by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs. That began an >>> >incredible >>> >tug-of-war between the two. The alligator was much stronger than >>> >the father, >>> >but >>>the father was much too passionate to let go. A farmer >>> >happened to drive >>> >by, heard his screams, raced from his truck, took aim and shot the >>> >alligator. >>> >Remarkably, after weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little boy >>> >survived. >>> >His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack of the >>> >animal. And, on >>> >his arms, were deep scratches where his father's fingernails dug >>> >into his >>> >flesh in his effort to hang on to the son he loved. The newspaper >>> >reporter who >>> >interviewed the boy after the trauma, asked if he would show him >>> >his scars. >>> >The boy lifted his pant legs. And then, with obvious pride, he said >>> >to the >>> >reporter, "But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too. >>> >I have them >>> >because my Dad wouldn't let go." >>> >You and I can identify with that >>>little boy. We have scars, too. No, >>> >not >>> >from an alligator, but the scars of a painful past. Some of those >>> >scars are >>> >unsightly and have caused us deep regret. But, some wounds, my >>> >friend, are >>> >because God has refused to let go. In the midst of your struggle, >>> >He's been there >>> >holding on to you. The Scripture teaches that God loves you. You >>> >are a child >>> >of God. He wants to protect you and provide for you in every way >>> >But >>> >sometimes we foolishly wade into dangerous situations, not knowing >>> >what lies ahead. >>> >The swimming hole of life is filled with peril - and we forget that >>> >the enemy >>> >is waiting to attack. That's when the tug-of-war begins - and if >>> >you have the >>> >scars of His love on your arms, be very, very grateful. He did not >>> >and will >>> >not ever let >>>you go. >>> > >>> >Please pass this on to those you love. God has blessed you, so that >>> >you can >>> >be a blessing to others. You just never know where a person is in h >>> >is/herlife and what they are going through. Never judge another >>> >person's >>> >scars, because you don't know how they got them. Also, it is so >>> >important >>> >that we are not selfish, to receive the blessings of these >>> >messages, without >>> >forwarding them to someone else. Right now, someone needs to know >>> >that God >>> >loves them, and you love them, too- enough to not let them go . >>> >Always Tell Your >>> >Family And Friends How Much You Love Them!!! >>> > >>> >FRIENDS ARE ANGELS WHO LIFT US TO OUR FEET WHEN OUR WINGS HAVE >>> >TROUBLE >>> >REMEMBERING HOW TO >>>FLY.

You may have already known the history behind ‘Taps’. What I found interesting is that there are 3 verses (lyrics) to this piece of music. AN INTERESTING HISTORY If any of you have ever been to a military funeral in which taps were played; this brings out a new meaning of it. Here is something Every American should know. Until I read this, I didn't know, but I checked it out and it's true: We in the United States have all heard the haunting song, "Taps." It's the song that gives us that lump in our throats and usually tears in our eyes. But, do you know the story behind the song? If not, I think you will be interested to find out about its humble beginnings. Reportedly, it all began in 1862 during the Civil War, when Union Army Captain Robert Ellicombe was with his men near Harrison's Landing in Virginia. The Confederate Army was on the other side of the narrow strip of land. During the night, Captain Ellicombe heard the moans of a soldier who lay severely wounded on the field. Not knowing if it was a Union or Confederate soldier, the Captain decided to risk his life and bring the stricken man back for medical attention Crawling on his stomach through the gunfire, the Captain reached the stricken soldier and began pulling him toward his encampment. When the Captain finally reached his own lines, he discovered it was actually a Confederate soldier, but the soldier was dead. The Captain lit a lantern and suddenly caught his breath and went numb with shock. In the dim light, he saw the face of the soldier. It was his own son. The boy had been studying music in the South when the war broke out. Without telling his father, the boy enlisted in the Confederate Army. The following morning, heartbroken, the father asked permission of his superiors to give his son a full military burial, despite his enemy status. His request was only partially granted. The Captain had asked if he could have a group of Army band members play a funeral dirge for his son at the funeral. The request was turned down since the soldier was a Confederate. But, out of respect for the father, they did say they could give him only one musician. The Captain chose a bugler. He asked the bugler to play a series of musical notes he had found on a piece of paper in the pocket of the dead youth's uniform. This wish was granted. The haunting melody, we now know as "Taps" used at military funerals was born. The words are: Day is done. Gone the sun. From the lakes From the hills. From the sky. All is well. Safely rest. God is nigh. Fading light. Dims the sight. And a star. Gems the sky. Gleaming bright. From afar. Drawing nigh. Falls the night. Thanks and praise. For our days. Neath the sun Neath the stars. Neath the sky. As we go. This we know. God is nigh I too have felt the chills while listening to "Taps" but I have never seen all the words to the song until now. I didn't even know there was more than one verse. I also never knew the story behind the song and I didn't know if you had either so I thought I'd pass it along. I now have an even deeper respect for the song than I did before. Remember T hose Lost and Harmed While Serving Their Country. Also Remember Those Who Have Served And Returned; and for those presently serving in the Armed Forces.

TO MY KEEPERS! I grew up in the 40's/50's/60's with practical parents. A mother, God love her, who washed aluminum foil after she cooked in it, then reused it. She was the original recycle queen, before they had a Name for it... A father who was happier getting old shoes fixed than buying new ones. Their marriage was good, their dreams focused. Their best friends lived barely a wave away. I can see them now, Dad in trousers, tee shirt and a hat and Mom in a house dress, lawn mower in one hand, and dish-towel in the other. It was the time for fixing things. A curtain rod, the kitchen radio, screen door, the oven door, the hem in a dress Things we keep. It was a way of life, and sometimes it made me crazy. All that re-fixing, eating, renewing, I wanted just once to be wasteful. Waste meant affluence. Throwing things away meant you knew there'd always be more. But then my mother died, and on that clear summer's night, in the warmth of the hospital room, I was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn't any more. Sometimes, what we care about most gets all used up and goes away...never to return. So... While we have it... it's best we love it... And care for it.... And fix it when it's broken..... And heal it when it's sick. This is true... For marriage.... And old cars.... Especially old airplanes...And children with bad report cards..... Dogs and cats with bad hips.... And aging parents.... And grandparents....and dear, dear friends. We keep them because they are worth it, because we are worth it. Some things we keep. Like a best friend that moved away or a classmate we grew up with. There are just some things that make life important, like people we know who are special.... And so, we keep them close! I received this from someone who thinks I am a 'keeper', so I've sent it to the people I think of in the same way... Now it's your turn to send this to those people that are "keepers" in your life. Send it back to the person that sent it to you if they too are a keeper. Good friends are like stars.... You don't always see them, but you know they are always there. Keep them close