SPECIAL PEOPLE The special people in this world are the most precious and the most appreciated people of all. No matter what happens, they always seem to understand. They go a million miles out of their way. They hold your hand. ������� They bring you smiles, when a smile is exactly what you need. They listen and they hear what is said in the spaces between the words. They care, and they let you know you're in their prayers. ������� Special people always know the perfect thing to do. They can make your whole day just by saying something that no one else could have said. Sometimes you feel like they share with you a secret language that others can't tune into. ������� Special people can guide you, inspire you, comfort you, and light up your life with laughter. ������� Special people understand your moods and nurture your needs, and they lovingly know just what you're after. ������� When your feelings come from deep inside and the need to be spoken to someone; you don't have to hide from, you share them... with special people. ������� When good news comes, special people are the first ones you turn to, and when feelings overflow and tears need to fall, special people help you through it all. ������� Special people bring sunlight into your life. They warm your world with their presence, whether they are far away or close by your side. ������� Special people are gifts that bring happiness, and treasures that money can't buy.

UNIVERSAL Rx No moving parts, no batteries, No monthly payments and no fees; Inflation proof, non-taxable, In fact, it's quite relaxable; It can't be stolen, won't pollute, One size fits all, do not dilute. It uses little energy, But yields results enormously. Relieves your tension and your stress Invigorates your happiness; Combats depression, makes you beam, And elevates your self-esteem! Your circulation it corrects Without unpleasant side effects. It is, I think, the perfect drug: May I prescribe, my friends . . . the hug! (And, of course, fully returnable!) By Henry Matthew Ward from A Cup of Chicken Soup for the Soul Copyright 1996 by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen & Barry Spilchuk

May you find serenity and tranquillity in a world you may not always understand. May the pain you have known and the conflict you have experienced give you the strength to walk through life facing each new situation with optimism and courage. Always know that there are those whose love and understanding will always be there, even when you feel most alone. May you discover enough goodness in others to believe in a world of peace. May a kind word, a reassuring touch, a warm smile be yours every day of your life, and may you give these gifts as well as receive them. Remember the sunshine when the storm seems unending. Teach love to those who know hate, and let that love embrace you as you go into the world. May the teaching of those you admire become part of you, so that you may call upon them. Remember, those whose lives you have touched and who have touched yours are always a part of you, even if the encounters were less than you would have wished. May you not become too concerned with material matters, but instead place immeasurable value on the goodness in your heart. Find time in each day to see the beauty and love in the world around you. Realise that each person has limitless abilities, but each of us is different in our own way. What you may feel you lack in one regard may be more than compensated for in another. What you feel you lack in the present may become one of your strengths in the future. May you see your future as one filled with promise and possibility. Learn to view everything as a worthwhile experience. May you find enough inner strength to determine your own worth by yourself, and not be dependent on another's judgements of your accomplishments. May you always feel loved.

ALWAYS HAVE A DREAM Forget about the days when it's been cloudy, but don't forget your hours in the sun. Forget about the times you've been defeated, but don't forget the victories you've won. Forget about the mistakes that you can't change now, but don't forget the lessons. Forget about the misfortunes you've encountered, but don't forget the times your luck has turned. Forget about the days when you've been lonely, but don't forget the friendly smiles you've seen...... Forget about the plans that didn't seem to work out right, but don't forget to always have a dream. - Author Unknown

God must have known there would be times We'd need a word of cheer Someone to praise a triumph Or brush away a tear. He must have known we'd need to share The joy of "little things" In order to appreciate The happiness life brings. I think he knew our troubled hearts Would sometimes throb with pain At trials and misfortunes Or some goals we can't attain. He knew we'd need the comfort Of an understanding heart To give us strength and courage To make a fresh, new start. He knew we'd need companionship Unselfish...lasting...true, And so God answered the heart's great need With a CHERISHED FRIEND....like you. - Author Unknown

Thank you for believing in me when I found it difficult to believe in myself... for saying what I've needed to hear sometimes, instead of what I've wanted to hear... for siding with me... and for giving me another side to consider. Thank you for opening yourself up to me... for trusting me with your thoughts and disappointments and dreams... for knowing you can depend on me and for asking my help when you've needed it. Thank you for putting so much thought and care and imagination into our friendship... for sharing so many nice times and making so many special memories with me. Thank you for always being honest with me being kind to me...being there for me. Thank you for being a friend to me in so many meaningful ways. -- by Larry S. Chengges

I LOVE YOU It is very rare to fall in love with someone like you who is so sensitive, yet strong so caring and understanding so stable, yet spontaneous so kind and considerate so creative, yet practical I feel like the luckiest person in the world because of you and though my mind may be occupied with all the events of the day you are always at the forefront of my thoughts I am always thinking about how wonderful you are and how much I would like to be with you at that moment I am always thinking about how much I appreciate you how much I want to thank you and how much I love you. - Susan Polis Schutz

HUGS It's wonderous what a hug can do, A hug can cheer you when you're blue. A hug can say, "I love you so", or, "Gee! I hate to see you go". A hug is, "Welcome back, again!" and, "Great to see you!" or "Where've you been?" A hug can smoothe a small child's pain And bring a rainbow after rain. The hug! There's just no doubt about it, We scarcely could survive without it. A hug delights and warms and charms, It must be why God gave us arms. Hugs are great for fathers and mothers, Sweet for sisters, swell for brothers, and chances are some favourite aunts love them more than potted plants. Kittens crave them. Puppies love them. Heads of state are not above them. A hug can break the language barrier, And make the dullest day seem merrier. No need to fret about the store of 'em. The more you give, the more there are of 'em. So stretch those arms without delay and give someone a hug today. - Author Unknown

SLOW DANCE Have you ever watched kids on a merry-go-round, or listened to rain slapping the ground? Ever followed a butterfly's erratic flight, or gazed at the sun into the fading night? You'd better slow down, don't dance so fast, time is short, the music won't last. Do you run through each day on the fly, when you ask "How are"? do you hear the reply? When the day is done, do you lie in your bed, with the next hundred chores running through your head? You'd better slow down, don't dance so fast, time is short, the music won't last. Ever told your child, we'll do it tomorrow, and in your haste, not seen his sorrow? Ever lost touch, let a good friendship die, 'cause you never had time to call and say "hi". You'd better slow down, don't dance so fast, time is short, the music won't last. When you run so fast to get somewhere, you miss half the fun of getting there. When you worry and hurry through your day, it is like an unopened gift...thrown away. Life is not a race, so take it slower, hear the music before the song is over. -Author unknown

CHILDHOOD DOESN'T WAIT I was sitting on a bench while in a nearby mall, When a noticed a young mother with two children who were small. The youngest one was whining, "Pick me up,", I heard him beg but the mother's face grew angry as the child clung to her leg. "Don't hang on to me," she shouted as she pushed his hands away, I wish I'd had the courage to go up to her and say..... "The time will come too quickly when those little arms that tug, Won't ask for you to hold them or won't freely give a hug. "The day will sneak up subtly just as it did with me, When you can't recall the last time that your child sat on your knee. "Like those sacred, pre-dawn feedings when we cherished time alone, Our babies grow and leave behind those special times we've known. "So when your child comes to you with a book that you can share, Or asks that you would tuck him in and him him say his prayer... "When he comes to sit and chat or would like to take a walk, Before you answer that you can't 'cause there's no time to talk "Remember what all parents learn so many times too late, That years go by too quickly and childhood doesn't wait. "Take every opportunity, if one should slip away Reach hard to get it back again, don't wait another day." I watched that mother walk away her children followed near, I hope she'll pick them up before her chances disappear. by Kathie Davis

ANGEL FRIENDS Some people doubt that each of us Have angels to protect us, Assigned by God when we were born, To love us and direct us. And though we cannot see them They're always at our side, Companions while we're living, And after we have died. God knew we needed someone To watch us night and day, To guide us down the narrow path, And keep all harm away. Someone of endless wisdom, Whom He could always trust To guard us every minute, And take good care of us. So carefully He chose each one, For every living soul, Some with wings of silver, And some with wings of gold. But all filled with a burning love That never has an end, And each of us is blessed to have, ...... A Special Angel Friend. by Grace E. Easley

Mothers, touch your children, Fathers, hug them tight, Let them know you love them morning, noon, and night. Put your arms around them, hold them near to you, Feel the beating of their hearts, the life that you made new. Roll around the floor with them, tease and laugh and play, Listen to what they'll tell you, they have so much to say. Take time to get to know them, see the colors in their eyes, Appreciate that person that deep inside them lies. Let them run their fingers through your hair and down your face, Fill their hearts with words of praise, make home their favorite place. Cuddle with them on the couch and watch a t.v. show, Sing with them or share a book and help their world to grow. Take a walk into the park, hold each other's hand, Smell the flowers, feed the ducks, build castles in the sand. Mothers, touch your children, Fathers, hug them tight, Show them what a gift they are, to love them feels so right. by Kathie Davis