I have been thinking a lot this week of the story about Rwanda I passed onto you last week. [ref Read Maryam's blog- be prepared it is hard going. http://moroccanmaryam.typepad.com/my_marrakesh/ around the beginning of October.]
Do we realise how lucky we are?...if you are reading this I would guess you live in a part of the world where you have a good idea of what dinner will be tonight,
where you will sleep tonight and an expectation that when you wake up in the morning you and yours will be in good shape.
I was thinking to suggest - make sure you tell your mates they are special, ask them to lunch, spend time hanging out, let them know.
Then I was going through costs with Ramsingh for Shakti [you know it is my current occupation, sorry if i mention it all the time- I am living and breathing ideas with them at the moment getting a workshop off the ground]
1 lunch with your mate would send a child to school for a year in India...so I was going to suggest -ask your mate to lunch, pack peanut butter sandwiches and enjoy the park.
Put the money you save in an envelope and send it to Rwanda or Shakti or perhaps even better invest it in the world's future through a microlaon at Kiva
http://www.kiva.org/ , you can meet with your friend to decide who to lend to, and watch it be repaid as that person steps forward and then relend it again.
Not only are you helping a fellow human being, you are doing it hand in hand with a friend!
Then this lovely email came to me and I knew i would be on my soapbox spouting on!
Have a read and may you have many blessings in your life- Fiona
Here's to T-bone steaks, yellow roses and friendship.
>>> READ THIS!!!! and then reread it.. Especially the last part...
>>I walked into the grocery store not particularly interested in buying >groceries. I wasn't hungry. The pain of losing my husband of 7 years was still too raw. And this grocery store held so many sweet memories.
>>He often came with me and almost every time he'd pretend to go off and look
for something special. I knew what he was up to I'd always spot him walking>down the aisle with t he three yellow roses in his hands.
>>He knew I loved yellow roses. With a heart filled with grief, I only wanted >to buy my few items and leave, but even grocery shopping was different>since he had passed on.
>>Shopping for one took time, a little more thought than it had for two.
>>>>Standing by the meat, I searched for the perfe ct small steak and>remembered how he had loved his steak.
>>Suddenly a woman came beside me. She was blonde, slim and lovely in a soft>green pantsuit. I watched as she picked up a large package of T-bones, >dropped them in her basket... Hesitated, and then put them back. She turned>to go and once again reached for the pack of steaks.
>>She saw me watching her and she smiled. "My husband loves T-bones, but >honestly, at these prices, I don't know."
>>I swallowed the emotion down my throat and met her pale blue eyes.
>>" My husband passed away eight days ago," I told her. Glancing at the >package in her hands, I fought to control the tremble in my voice. "Buy him>the steaks. And cherish every moment you have together."
>>She shook her head and I saw the emotion in her eyes as she placed the >package in her basket and wheeled away.
>>I turned and pushed my cart across the length of the store to the dairy>products. There I stood, trying to decide which size milk I should buy. A>Quart, I finally decided and moved on to the ice cream.. If nothing else, I >could always fix myself an ice cream cone.
>>I placed the ice cream in my cart and looked down the aisle toward the>front.. I saw first the gree n suit, then recognized the pretty lady coming>towards me. In her arms she carried a package. On her face was the>brightest smile I had ever seen. I would swear a soft halo encircled her>blonde hair as she kept walking toward me, her eyes holding mine. >>As she came closer, I saw what she held and tears began misting in my eyes.>"These are for you," she said and placed three beautiful long stemmed>yellow roses in my arms. "When you go through the line, they will know >these are paid for." She leaned over and placed a gentle kiss on my cheek,>then smiled again. I wanted to tell her what she'd done, what the roses>mean t, but still unable to speak, I watched as she walked away as tears >clouded my vision.
>>I looked down at the beautiful roses nestled in the green tissue wrapping>and found it almost unreal. How did she know? Suddenly the answer seemed so>clear. I wasn't alone.
>>Oh, you haven't forgotten me, have you? I whispered, with tears in my eyes.>He was still with me, and she was his angel.
>>Every day be thankful for what you have and who you are.>(Please read all of this, it is really nice)
>>This is a simple request. If you appreciate life, send this to your>friends, including the person that sent it to you.
>>Even though I clutch my blanket and growl when the alarm rings. Thank you, >Lord, that I can hear. There are many who are deaf.
>>Even though I keep my eyes closed against the morning light as long as>possible. Thank you, Lord, that I can see. Many are blind .
>>Even though I huddle in my bed and put off rising. Thank you, Lord, that I>have the s trength to rise. There are many who are bedridden.
>>Even though the first hour of my day is hectic, when socks are lost, toast >is burned, tempers are short, and my children are so loud.
>>Thank you, Lord, for my family. There are many who are lonely.
>>Even though our breakfast table never looks like the picture in magazines >and the menu is at times unbalanced.
>>Thank you, Lor d, for the food we have. There are many who are hungry.
>>Even though the routine of my job often is monotonous. Thank you, Lord, for >the opportunity to work. There are many who have no job.
>>Even though I grumble and bemoan my fate from day to day and wish my>circumstances were not so modest.
>>Thank you, Lord, for life.
>>Pass this on to the friends you know. It might help a bit to make this>world a better place to live, right? A friend is someone we turn to when>our spirits need a lift. A friend is someone to treasure.
>>For friendship is a gift. A friend is s omeone who fills our lives with>Beauty, Joy and Grace and makes the world we live in a better and happier>place..>>YOU ARE MY FRIEND!> >God bless you and yours.
>>Now send this to every friend you have and don't forget me>>
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