FOODFORTHOUGHT

"Be the gift"

We get them everyday.

"This is being sent to you...you must send it on to as many
people...and one back to me..."

I never do.

I guess that means, I should be dead by now because something good
was supposed to happen "If" I sent it out. Something bad if I
didn't.

I still love God even though one message told me if I didn't send it
out I didn't believe in God. And on and on.

The other day I received one of those messages from a friend. It was
a story about a man who found something marked "For a special
occasion" in his wife's dresser drawer. She died and never got to
enjoy it. The point was...don't wait...make every day a "special
occasion."

I didn't send the message on or send it back to my friend as
directed. I thanked her in person for sending it.

She's an incredible spirit. A real joy to share ideas with. One of
those people you can talk about life with and you know she
understands. Insightful, caring and so full of life. A great, hard
working mother and a loving wife. I wish I could give her the
world. She deserves it.

We talked about how important that was to make everyday special.
Then she told me a story that really hit home.

Someone she knew was putting together a gift basket of sorts for a
friend who was seriously ill. Every few days she'd add something but
hold onto it because it just wasn't right yet. She wanted to make
it very special so she kept on looking, kept on adding, kept on
waiting to give her the very best gift she could. She loved her that
much.

You know what I'm going to say. Yes, that person died and never got
to see the gifts.

It is a true story.

If you have anything to give, give it now. If you have nothing to
give, give yourself. If you can't be there, call. If you can't
call, send a card. If you can't send a card pray for them.

But make it a point to "be the gift."

Today I am doing just that with you.

If you have been on this list for a year or more, I need to thank you
for something you did for me.

I cannot believe it, but one year ago this Saturday we found out my
wife Marianne had breast cancer.

One year.

On November 5th I wrote a message to you..."The most difficult thing"
and sent it out.

Over this past year you have held me in your arms, permitted me to
weep as I am doing right this moment as I write this and lifted us up
in prayer without ceasing.

You sent more than 1,200 cards gifts, notes, and emails. You spread
her story all over the world, person to person and church to temple
to mosque to simple prayer alone in the privacy of your homes and for
others compassionate concern.

To say thank you seems so insignificant. To tell you I love you all
falls short of how very much I value our "friendship."

When I wrote that story, God whispered in your ear and you responded.

You didn't wait to make it more, add a little, make it perfect, you
responded when He spoke...

"Be the gift."

From the deepest part of my soul...I humbly thank you all!
"I believe in You!"
Bob Perks
Bob@BobPerks.com

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PRAYER
Lord, you are the life of the Father. Help us open ourselves more fully to you, especially through our worthy reception of your Sacraments, and our love and care for our sisters and brothers.

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