Stories Inside My Mailbox

More Than Just the Money

2005-03-01T18:20:00.000+08:00

Martha was busy with her job. She believed she had to work harder because she loves her father who is sick of cancer. She has to provide for his expensive medicines. Her brothers and sisters meanwhile stayed with their father most of the time. They bathed him, sang for him, spoon-fed him or simply kept him company.

One day Martha was hurt. She overheard her father telling her mother, "All our children love me except Martha." "How can this be?" Martha thought. "Am I not the one killing myself in my work to have money to buy for his medicines? My brothers and sisters do not even provide their share in the expenses as much as I do."

One night, as Martha was as usual late in going home, she peeped for the first time in the room where her father was lying. She noticed that her father was still awake. She decided to come close at his bedside. Her father held her hands and said, "I miss you. I don't have much time. Stay with me." And she stayed with her father holding his hand the whole night.

The next morning Martha said to everybody, "I have taken a leave of absence. I would like to be with father. I will bathe him and sing for him from now on." Her father had a beautiful smile. He knew this time Martha loves him.

* As children, we need the assuring presence of our loved ones. Adult people need no less. *

More Than Just the Gift

2005-03-01T18:17:00.000+08:00

A man going abroad to work leaves his fiancee crying. "Don't worry, I will write you everyday," he said. For years he did write her. But since he was happy with his job, he had no immediate plans of going home. One day, he received a wedding invitation. His girl friend was scheduled to be married. To whom? To the mailman bringing regularly the letters of her boy friend! Indeed, distance does make hearts flounder.

The poor boyfriend surely explained, "What went wrong? I sent her letters, chocolates, and flowers." When relationships go wrong, the list of things given and done for the person usually crops up. We say, "I have given you this and that...I have done these things for you." It seems that love is simply proven by the bestowal of gifts and favors.

But while presents are important, love demands what is basic: presence of the beloved. I have observed for instance, the orchids of my mother. When she's away for a long time, they are unhealthy and many of them wither. But when she is around, they bloom with beautiful flowers. My mother does nothing exceptional. She just spends much time talking and caressing them.

I guess persons all the more require a caring presence. Love is fundamentally a commitment to a person. We may be committed to our business, job, hobby, sports and clubs, but strictly speaking, they cannot love us back. Only a person can love us in return, and for that matter the highest commitment as human beings is spending time with those persons we love. And since people need affection and nourishment, material things can only help up to a certain degree in fostering love. But it can never replace the greatest gift of presence.

The Picture of The Woman I Love

2005-03-01T18:08:00.000+08:00

They have been married for two years. He loves literature, and often posts his work on the net, but nobody ever reads them. He is also into photography, and he handles their wedding photos. He loves her very much. Likewise with her. She has a quick temper, and always bullies him. He is a gentleman, and always gives in to her. Today, she's being "willful" again.

Her: "Why can't you be the photographer for my friend's wedding? She promised she'd pay."

Him: "I don't have time that day."

Her: "Humph!"

Him: "Huh?"
Her: "Don't have time? Write less of those novels, and you will have all the time you need."

Him: "I... someone will definitely recognize my work some day."

Her: "Humph! I don't care; you'll have to do it for her.

Him: "No."

Her: "Just this once?"

Him: "No."

Negotiation's broken. So, she gave the final warning: "Give me a Yes within three days, or else..."

First day.

She "withheld" the kitchen, bathroom, computer, refrigerator, television, and hi-fi... Except the double bed, to show her "benevolence". Of course, she has to sleep on it too. He didn't mind, as he still has some cash in his pockets.

Second day.

She conducted a raid and removed everything from his pockets, and warned, "Seek any external help, and you bear the consequences." He's nervous now. Night. On the bed. He begs for mercy, hoping that she'll end this state. She doesn't give a damn. No way am I giving in, whatever he says. Until he agrees.

Third day.

Night. On the Bed. He's lying on the bed, looking to one side. She's lying on the bed, looking to the other side.

Him: "We need to talk."

Her: "Unless it's about the wedding, forget it."

Him: "It's something very important."

She remains silent.

Him: "Let's get a divorce."

She did not believe her ears.

Him: "I got to know a girl."

She's totally angry, and wanted to hit him. But she held it down, wanting to let him finish. But her eyes already felt wet.
He took a photo out from his chest. Probably from his undershirt pocket, that's the only place she didn't go through yesterday. How careless.

Him: "She's a nice girl."

Her tears fell.

Him: "She has a good personality too."

She's heartbroken, because he puts a photo of some other girl "close to his heart".

Him: "She says that she'll support me fully in my pursue for literature after we got married."

She's very jealous, because she said the same thing in the past.
Him: "She loves me truly."

She wishes to sit up and scream at him: "Don't I?"

Him: "So, I think she won't force me to do something that I don't want to do."

She's thinking, but the rage won't subside.

Him: "Want to take a look at the photo I took for her?"

Her: ".....!"

He brings the photo before her eyes. She's in a total rage, hits his hand away and leaves a burning mark of a slap on his face. He sighs. She cries. He puts the photo back to his pocket. She pulls her hand back under the blanket. He turns off the light, and sleeps. She turns on the light, and sits up. He's asleep. She lost sleep. She regrets treating him the way she treated him. She cried again, and thought about a lot of things. She wants to wake him up. She wants to have an intimate talk with him. She doesn't want to push him anymore. She stares at his chest. She wants to see how the girl looks. She slips the photo out. She wanted to cry, and she wanted to laugh. It's a nicely taken photo of her. A photo he took for her. She bends down, and kissed him on his cheek. He smiled. He was just pretending to be asleep.

The Beggar King

2005-02-28T17:44:00.000+08:00

Once there was a time, according to legend, when Ireland was ruled by a king who had no son. The king sent out his couriers to post notices in all the towns of his realm. The notices advised that every qualified young man should apply for an interview with the king as a possible successor to the throne. However, all such candidates must have these two qualifications: They must (1) love God and (2) love their fellow human beings.

The Young man about whom this legend centers saw a notice and reflected that he loved God and, also, his neighbors. One thing stopped him, he was so poor that he had no clothes that would be presentable in the sight of the king. Nor did he have the funds to buy provisions for the long journey to the castle. So the young man begged here, and borrowed there, finally managing to scrounge enough money for the appropriate clothes and the necessary supplies.

Properly attired and well-suited, the young man set out on his quest, and had almost completed the journey when he came upon a poor beggar by the side of the road. The beggar sat trembling, clad only in tattered rags. His extended arms pleaded for help. His weak voice croaked, "I'm hungry and cold. Please help me... please?"

The young man was so moved by this beggar's need that he immediately stripped off his new clothes and put on the tattered threads of the beggar. Without a second thought he gave the beggar all his provision as well. Then, somewhat hesitantly, he continued his journey to the castle dressed in the rags of the beggar, lacking provisions for his return trek home. Upon his arrival at the castle, a king's attendant showed him in to the great hall. After a brief respite to clean off the journey's grime, he was finally admitted to the throne room of the king.
The young man bowed low before his majesty. When he raised his eyes, he gaped in astonishment. "You... it's you! You're the beggar by the side of the road."

"Yes," the king replied with a twinkle, "I was that beggar."

"But...bu...bu... you are not really a beggar. You are the king for real. Well, then, why did you do this to me?" the young man stammered after gaining more of his composure.
"Because I had to find out if you genuinely love God and your fellow human beings," said the king. "I knew that if I came to you as king, you would have been impressed by my gem-encrusted golden crown and my royal robes. You would have done anything I asked of you because of my regal character. But that way I would never have known what is truly in your heart. So I used a ruse. I came to you as a beggar with no claims on you except for the love in your heart. And I discovered that you sincerely do love God and your fellow human beings. You will be my successor," promised the king. "You will inherit my kingdom."

A Girl In The CD Store

2005-02-28T17:37:00.000+08:00

There was once a guy who suffered from cancer... a cancer that can't be treated. He was 18 years old and he could die anytime. All his life, he was stuck in his house being taken cared by his mother. He never went outside but he was sick of staying home and wanted to go out for once. So he asked his mother and she gave him permission.

He walked down his block and found a lot of stores. He passed a CD store and looked through the front door for a second as he walked. He stopped and went back to look into the store. He saw a young girl about his age and he knew it was love at first sight. He opened the door and walked in, not looking at anything else but her. He walked closer and closer until he was finally at the front desk where she sat.

She looked up and asked, "Can I help you?"

She smiled and he thought it was the most beautiful smile he has ever seen before and wanted to kiss her right there.

He said, "Uh... Yeah... Umm... I would like to buy a CD."

He picked one out and gave her money for it.

"Would you like me to wrap it for you?" she asked, smiling her cute smile again.

He nodded and she went to the back.

She came back with the wrapped CD and gave it to him. He took it and walked out of the store. He went home and from then on, he went to that store everyday and bought a CD, and she wrapped it for him. He took the CD home and put it in his closet. He was still too shy to ask her out and he really wanted to but he couldn't. His mother found out about this and told him to just ask her.

So the next day, he took all his courage and went to the store. He bought a CD like he did everyday and once again she went to the back of the store and came back with it wrapped. He took it and when she wasn't looking, he left his phone number on the desk and ran out...

!!!RRRRRING!!!

The mother picked up the phone and said, "Hello?"

It was the girl!!! She asked for the boy and the mother started to cry and said, "You don't know? He passed away yesterday..."

The line was quiet except for the cries of the boy's mother. Later in the day. The mother went into the boy's room because she wanted to remember him. She thought she would start by looking at his clothes. So she opened the closet. She was face to face with piles and piles and piles of unopened CDs. She was surprised to find all those CDs and she picked one up and sat down on the bed and she started to open one.
Inside, there was a CD and as she took it out of the wrapper, out fell a piece of paper. The mother picked it up and started to read it.

It said: Hi... I think U R really cute. Do u wanna go out with me? Love, Jacelyn

The mother opened another CD...

Again there was a piece of paper. It said: Hi... I think U R really cute. Do u wanna go out with me? Love, Jacelyn

Love is... when you've had a huge fight but then decide to put aside your egos, hold hands and say, "I Love You"

Style's Of Courtship According To...

2005-02-24T17:25:00.000+08:00

THE VARSITY DUDE
Opening line: "You know what, every time you watch me play, I feel so inspired "
His game plan: He's gonna wink at you or point at you whenever he scores
First move: He'll give you free tickets to his games
First gift: His team jacket or a UST growling tigers yellow jacket....
First date: He's gonna take you to a UAAP game between ATENEO and BARANGKA HIGH SCHOOL
Phone habit(s): He always talks about his great heroic game saving shots
Courting endurance: Really depends on how long the off-season is
How he will propose: After a game and winning the MVP award, he'll ask you to be his girlfriend

THE COMPUTER KID
Opening line: Hi!!! ASL
His game plan: He's gonna give you all the anti-nuking devices to keep you protected
First move: He'll give you a cyber flower
First gift: New software especially made for you
First date: He's gonna take you to Cyber Cafe and you're gonna chat and surf together
Phone habit(s): He always talks about computer jargons, you never understand them though
Visiting hours: Whenever your computer breaks down, he'll be there
Courting endurance: It really depends on how much more free Internet hours he has left
How he will propose: He's gonna ask you over one of the chat channels

THE GEEK FREAK
Opening line: "Hey groovy chick!!"
His game plan: He's gonna do all your homework until you realize! his importance
First move: He's gonna do all your reports and term papers
First gift: A book on Chemistry made easy starring Big Bird and Pong Pagong
First date: He's gonna take you to a very silent place... the library
Phone habit(s): He always tries to review you for upcoming tests and quizzes
Visiting hours: Everytime you have work that requires him to go to your house
Courting endurance: As long as you need someone to do your school load
How he will propose: He's gonna ask you in between the bookshelves in the library

THE RICH KID
Opening line: "So whatta you want?" (flips the wallet open with all the dangling credit cards)
His game plan: He's gonna give you anything money can buy
First move: He'll take you for a joy ride in his two-seater roadster
First gift: Anything with a price tag not lower than 10,000
First date: He's gonna take you in his yacht for a cruise
Phone habit(s): He keeps on asking if there's anything you need, and he means ANYTHING
Visiting hours: whenever you're available
Courting endurance: usually lasts long enough for you to be as rich as he is
How he will propose: He'll rent TIME SQUARE and propose on the big screen

MR. SMOOTH
Opening line: Usually he'll call the girl and make her "bola"
His game plan: He'll be friends with you first and then he'll go for the kill afterwards
First move: He'll be callin' you ever night to try to be as close to you as possible
First gift: He'll give you roses or a teddy bear
First date: He's gonna take you for a stroll at the mall
Phone habit(s): He always makes you "bola"
Visiting hours: Whenever he can think of an excuse to go to your place
Courting endurance: As long as he doesn't get that famous line "let's be friends na lang"
How he will propose: Over the phone (around midnight in most cases)

THE HEADBANGER
Opening line: "Pank's nat ded!!"
His game plan: He's gonna keep on asking you to watch his gigs
First move: He'll give you tickets just for you to watch his gigs
First gift: Some heavy metal CD you can't seem to appreciate
First date: He's gonna take you to Club Dredd
Phone habit(s): He keeps on playing the guitar over the phone, heavy metal stuff of course!
Visiting hours: Everytime he doesn't have a gig
Courting endurance: As long as you don't say No!
How he will propose: He's gonna dedicate this song to you and propose afterwards

THE PLAYBOY
Opening line: "You're my one and only."
His game plan: As far as he's concerned, you're just one of his many options
First move: He's gonna call you EVERY OTHER NIGHT (guess who he calls on those other nights?!?!?)
First gift: A Parker pen, the ones that can be bought in packs (guess where the other pens went?!)
First date: He's gonna take you to a place where he's sure that he can't be spotted by his other girls...someplace like... McDonalds, Laguna
Visiting hours: Every other day (I wonder why?!?)
Courting endurance: As long as he gets away with it
How he will propose: Like how he asks every other girl. Can you be my girlfriend??"

THE FLASH
Opening line: "Will you be my girlfriend?"
His game plan: He'll ask you as soon as possible
First move: He's gonna ask you
First gift: Oh yah , while he's asking you he's gonna give you roses
First date: (You have to give him an answer first before he takes you out
Phone habit(s): (You never really never got ! to talk to him. He is so goddamn fast!!)
Visiting hours: The only time he's gonna visit is when he's gonna ask you
How he will propose: refer to opening line

THE JOLOGS
Opening line: "I CRUSH YOU" (what he means is, he likes you very much!)
His game plan: He's gonna collect coins so he can call you from the payphone
First move: He's gonna follow you around like some goon and then he's gonna pick your pocket to get info about you.
First gift: He's gonna give you a pirated tape of the Streetboys' latest album with the special participation of Aiza Seguerra
First date: He's gonna take you to Ever Gotesco Commonwealth to watch a tagalog movie
Phone habit(s): He tries to make you bola by comparing you to Sabrina M. and Nora Aunor
Visiting hours: As long as the jeepneys are not on strike
Courting endurance: As long as..."He Crushes You"
How he will propose: "I lab u, puwede ba kitang maging syota?!?!" (---Jologs tlga)

Installing Love

2005-02-24T16:40:00.000+08:00

Customer: Well, I'm not very technical, but I think I'm ready to install it now. What do I do first?

Tech Support: The first step is to open your HEART. Have you located your HEART, ma'am?

Customer: Yes, I have, but there are several other programs running right now. Is it okay to install while they are running?

Tech Support: What programs are running, ma'am?

Customer: Let's see... I have PAST-HURT.EXE, LOW-ESTEEM.EXE, GRUDGE.EXE, and RESENTMENT.COM running now.

Tech Support: No problem. LOVE will gradually erase PAST-HURT.EXE from your current operating system. It may remain in your permanent memory, but it will no longer disrupt other programs. LOVE will eventually overwrite LOW-ESTEEM.EXE with a module of its own called HIGH-ESTEEM.EXE. However, you have to completely turn off GRUDGE.EXE and RESENTMENT.COM. Those programs prevent LOVE from being properly installed. Can you turn those off, ma'am?

Customer: I don't know how to turn them off. Can you tell me how?

Tech Support: My pleasure. Go to your Start menu and invoke FORGIVENESS.EXE. Do this as many times as necessary until it's erased the programs you don't want.

Customer: Okay, now LOVE has started installing itself automatically. Is that normal?

Tech Support: Yes. You should receive a message that says it will reinstall for the life of your HEART. Do you see that message?

Customer: Yes, I do. Is it completely installed?

Tech Support: Yes, but remember that you have only the base program. You need to begin connecting to other HEARTs in order to get the upgrades.

Customer: Oops. I have an error message already. What should I do?

Tech Support: What does the message say?

Customer: It says, "ERROR 412-PROGRAM NOT RUN ON INTERNAL COMPONENTS." What does that mean?

Tech Support: Don't worry, ma'am, that's a common problem. It means that the LOVE program is set up to run on external HEARTs but has not yet been run on your HEART. It is one of those complicated programming things, but in non-technical terms it means you have to "LOVE" your own machine before it can "LOVE" others.

Customer: So what should I do?

Tech Support: Can you pull down the directory called "SELF-ACCEPTANCE"?

Customer: Yes, I have it.

Tech Support: Excellent. You're getting good at this. Now, click on the following files and then copy them to the "MYHEART" directory: FORGIVE-SELF.DOC, REALIZE-WORTH.TXT, and ACKNOWLEDGE-LIMITATIONS.DOC. The system will overwrite any conflicting files and begin patching any faulty programming. Also, you need to delete SELF-CRITIC.EXE from all directories, and then empty your recycle bin afterwards to make sure it is completely gone and never comes back.

Customer: Got it. Hey! My HEART is filling up with new files. SMILE.MPG is playing on my monitor right now and it shows that PEACE.EXE, and CONTENTMENT.COM are copying themselves all over my HEART. Is this normal?

Tech Support: Sometimes. For others it takes a while, but eventually everything gets downloaded at the proper time. So, LOVE is installed and running. You should be able to handle it from here. Ah, one more thing.

Customer: Yes?

Tech Support: LOVE is freeware. Be sure to give it and its various modules to everybody you meet. They will in turn share it with other people and they will return some similarly cool modules back to you.

Customer: I will! Thanks for your help!

The Blind Man

2005-02-23T18:40:00.000+08:00

Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room. One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room's only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back. The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, their involvement in the military service, where they had been on vacation.

Every afternoon when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would pass the time by describing to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window. The man in the other bed began to live for those one-hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.

The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance. As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine the picturesque scene.

One warm afternoon the man by the window described a parade passing by. Although the other man couldn't hear the band - he could see it. In his mind's eye as the gentleman by the window portrayed it with descriptive words.

Days and weeks passed. One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the lifeless body of the man by the window, who had died peacefully in his sleep. She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.

As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone. Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed.

It faced a blank wall. The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window. The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall.

She said, "Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you."

Growing Older and Growing Up

2005-02-23T18:18:00.000+08:00

The first day of school our professor introduced himself and challenged us to get to know someone we didn't already know. I stood up to look around when a gentle hand touched my shoulder. I turned around to find a wrinkled, little old lady beaming up at me with a smile that lit up her entire being.

She said, "Hi handsome. My name is Rose. I'm eighty-seven years old. Can I give you a hug?" I laughed and enthusiastically responded, "Of course you may!" and she gave me a giant squeeze. "Why are you in college at such a young, innocent age?" I asked. She jokingly replied, "I'm here to meet a rich husband, get married, have a couple of kids.." "No seriously," I asked. I was curious what may have motivated her to be taking on this challenge at her age. "I always dreamed of having a college education and now I'm getting one!" she told me.

After class we walked to the student union building and shared a chocolate milkshake. We became instant friends. Every day for the next three months we would leave class together and talk nonstop. I was always mesmerized listening to this "time machine" as she shared her wisdom and experience with me.

Over the course of the year, Rose became a campus icon and she easily made friends wherever she went.. She loved to dress up and she reveled in the attention bestowed upon her from the other students. She was living it up.

At the end of the semester we invited Rose to speak at our football banquet. I'll never forget what she taught us. She was introduced and stepped up to the podium. As she began to deliver her prepared speech, she dropped her three by five cards on the floor. Frustrated and a little embarrassed she leaned into the microphone and simply said, "I'm sorry I'm so jittery. I gave up beer for Lent and this whiskey is killing me! I'll never get my speech back in order so let me just tell you what I know."

As we laughed she cleared her throat and began, "We do not stop playing because we are old; we grow old because we stop playing. There are only four secrets to staying young, being happy, and achieving success. You have to laugh and find humor every day. You've got to have a dream. When you lose your dreams, you die. We have so many people walking around who are dead and don't even know it! There is a huge difference between growing older and growing up. If you are nineteen years old and lie in bed for one full year and don't do one productive thing, you will turn twenty years old. If I am eighty-seven years old and stay in bed for a year and never do anything I will turn eighty-eight. Anybody can grow older. That doesn't take any talent or ability. The idea is to grow up by always finding the opportunity in change. Have no regrets. The elderly usually don't have regrets for what we did, but rather for things we did not do. The only people who fear death are those with regrets."

She concluded her speech by courageously singing "The Rose." She challenged each of us to study the lyrics and live them out in our daily lives. At the year's end Rose finished the college degree she had begun all those years ago. One week after graduation Rose died peacefully in her sleep. Over two thousand college students attended her funeral in tribute to the wonderful woman who taught by example that it's never too late to be all you can possibly be.

A Love Letter of Goodbye

2005-02-23T18:12:00.000+08:00

Dear Friend,

Do you remember the first time we met? You were trying to reach that science book on the topmost shelf of the library when you lost your balance and I happened to pass by. I caught you just in time to break your fall.

Do you remember the time we were talking about our English project and I suddenly smiled for no particular reason at all? I smiled because a gentle breeze swept through your hair and I was able to capture that beautiful picture in my mind.

Do you remember the time I walked you home when you sprained your ankle? I carried you all the way to your room because you couldn't walk up the stairs by yourself. When you collapsed on your bed and closed your exhausted eyes, I held your hand for a moment and kissed it gently because I was thankful you were all right.

Do you remember our first big fight? You were telling me about Gary, that basketball player who invited you to the school dance, and I suddenly snapped at you and told you to stop your endless chatter. You looked at me with confusion then said you were sorry for wasting my time. Then you walked away and we did not speak for a week. I walked after you, but you never looked behind your back. I wanted to tell you I was jealous, but I did not have the guts to say it.

Do you remember the day Gary broke your heart and I rushed to your side as soon as I heard? When you told me how hurt you felt, my heart ached just as well because I did not want to see you cry over him. I wanted to hold you and tell you things will be fine, but I was afraid you'd push me away.

Do you remember our graduation day when I had to run after your car when you didn't even say goodbye? I felt so insignificant, as if I didn't matter to you at all. But when you kissed me on the cheek and apologized for forgetting to bid me farewell, all the hurt disappeared. Before you sped away, you gave me your class ring and told me to keep it forever. I did.

I am getting married on Sunday but the memory of what has been still lingers in my mind. I wish I did not let you go without telling you how much you really meant to me. I wish I did not force a smile when you told me you found the love of your life. I wish I did not hold you in my arms pretending I was happy you were with somebody else. Above all, how I wish it were you who will be walking down the aisle towards me.

It is already too late.

Goodbye, my love.

Paano Ba Nagsisimula Ang Crush???

2005-02-23T17:41:00.000+08:00

STAGE 1: :"ALIW AKO!"

it goes like this... lalapit ka sa friend mo.. tapos you'll say, "ei! kilala mo ba si ______(mark, joseph, john, mike... or whatever his damn name is!)? wala lang...aliw lang talaga ako sa kanya..." sabay smile... "hindi ko sya crush ha!!! talagang nakakatuwa lang sya! "kaya nga eh... tuwang tuwa ka... it shows... naaliw ka nga talaga... grabe!!! di mo ba alam na dyan nagsisimula yan...

STAGE 2: "NAKAKA-MISS SYA"

ayan na po... hinahanap mo na... ung dialouge naman nyan ganito... "uy, nasan kaya si ______? matagal ko na syang di nakikita eh... wala lang naninibago lang ako..." sigurado ka bang yun lang... aba! bago mo naman sya nakilala eh okay lang sayo na he does not exsist... eh bakit ngayon hinahanap-hanap mo... cgurado ka bang NANINIBAGO KA LANG????

STAGE 3: "CUTE PALA SYA!" a.k.a "the denial of reality"

hay... ayaw pa kasing aminin eh...paka totoo kana noh!!! "ei, alam mo cute pala si ______! pag tiningnan mong mabuti... " o kaya... "ang cute naman nyang magsmile... tapos ang bouncy ng hair nya..." tpos biglang sasabihin... "hindi ko sya crush ha... ung hair (smile or whatever na bagay na related sa kanya) lng nya ang gusto ko! " SIGURADO KA LANG??? eh bakit sa tinagal-tagal na magkasama kayo ngayon mo lang narealize... hm... something's fishy...

STAGE 4: "ALAM MO CRUSH KO NA YATA SYA..."

Hay naku!!! may pa yata-yata ka pang nalalaman... ilang months or years mo inipon ang courage mo para aminin yan... when in fact it's so obvious... alam na ng buo mong barkada bago mo pa man sinabi.... at least di ba "HONEST" kna sa sarili mo...

STAGE 5: "TODO NA TO!"

eto na siguro yung part na pinaka maraming complications... kasi alam na ng barkada mo... at ikaw... kilig effect ka sa isang tabi.... eto na yung stage na may sub levels... ayon sa iyong mga kabaliwang gagawin just for the sake of your so-called love life:

a. shy effect daw

okay... nandyan ka lang sa isang tabi ...nagmumuni-muni kahit within 1 meter radius lang ang crush mo... kunwari walang reaction... tanong lang ha? HANGGANG KAILAN???

b. kababawan

ung bang tipong nadikitan mo lang sya by a quarter of a second sa hibla ng damit nya eh hanggang langit na yung tuwa mo... ung bang pwede ka nang mamatay... hay grabe ha... o kya naman makasalubong mo lang sya eh papasa kana sa exams.... hm... wag sobrahan!!!

c. non stop talk

well... it just means na wala ka nang ibang kinuwento kundi sya... "he's like this... blah blah blah." it's all about him...

d. stalker

in short... your a walking encyclopedia about him... alam mo lahat ng dapat malaman tungkol sa kanya... schedule nya, address, phone numbers... san sya tumatambay... lahat ng favorites nya... pangalan ng parents nya... size ng
pants, shoes, shirts nya... pati yata brand ng brief nya alam mo na... tsk!tsk!tsk! freaky..

e. obsession

hm, kailangan pa bang i-explain yan????

STAGE 6: GETTING TO KNOW YOU...

Sa wakas... kilala ka na rin ng crush mo... eh di happy kana di ba.... it's your time to shine at magpakitang gilas... hehehe! kaso take note this is the most dangerous stage... remember that once you get to know him.. there might be a possibility na ma-inlove ka... o complicated na yan!!!! pero pwede rin na crush mo lang talaga sya... there also may be a chance na mawala ung pagaka crush mo sa kanya... or you two might be good friends.... friends... as in FRIENDS!!! daming possibilities... it's up to you kung what will you choose... basta make sure it's the beat for both of you...

Race Has No Color

2005-02-23T17:29:00.000+08:00

The following scene took place on a BA flight between Johannesburg and London. A white woman, about 50 years old, was seated next to a black man. Obviously disturbed by this, she called the airhostess.

"Madam, what is the matter?” the hostess asked. "You obviously do not see it then?", she responded. “You placed me next to black man. I do not agree to sit next to someone from such a repugnant group. Give me an alternative seat”. “Be calm please”, the hostess replied. “Almost all the places on this flight are taken. I will go to see if another place is available.”

The Hostess went away and then came back a few minutes later. “Madam, just as I thought, there are no other available seats in the economy class. I spoke to the captain and he informed me that there is also no seat in the business class. All the same, we still have one place in the first class”. Before the woman could say anything, the hostess continued. “It is not usual for our company to permit someone from the economy class to sit in the first class. However, given the circumstances, the captain feels that it would be scandalous to make someone sit next to someone so disgusting.” She turned to the black guy, and said. “Therefore, Sir, if you would like to, please take your hand luggage because a seat awaits you in the first class.” At the moment, the other passengers who were shocked by what they had just witnessed stood up and applauded.

The Dolls of Love

2005-02-22T18:44:00.000+08:00

I have a boyfriend who grew up with me. His name is Jin. I always thought of him as a friend until last year, when we went to a trip from a club. I found that I fell in love with him. Before that trip was over, I took a step and confessed my love for him. And soon, we became a pair of lovers, but we loved each other in different ways. I always concentrated on him only, but by his side, there were so many other girls. To me, he was the only one, but to him, maybe I was just another girl?

"Jin, do you want to go watch a movie?" I asked.

"I can't"

"Why? You need to study at home?" I felt disappointment grabbing me.

"No? I am going to meet a friend?"

He was always like that. He met girls in front of me, like it was nothing. To him, I was just a girlfriend. The word 'love' only came out from my mouth. Since I knew him, I had never heard him say 'I love you' before. To us, there weren't any anniversaries at all. He didn't say anything from the first day and it continued till 100 days? 200days?

Everyday, before we say goodbye, he would just hand me a doll, everyday, without fail. I don't know why? Then one day.

Me: Um, Jin, I?

Jin: What? Don’t drag, just say…

Me: I love you.

Jin: You? Um, just take this doll and go home.

That was how he ignored my 'three words' and handed me the doll. Then he disappeared, like he was running away. The dolls I received from him everyday, filled my room, one by one. There were many?

Then one day came, my 15th year old birthday. When I got up in the morning, I pictured a party with him, and stranded myself in my room, waiting for his call. But lunch passed, dinner passed and soon the sky was dark. He still didn't call.
It was already tiring to look at the phone anymore. Then around 2am in the morning, he suddenly called me and woke me from my sleep. He told me to come out of the house. Still, I felt joy and I ran out happily.

Me: Jin!

Jin: Here, take this.

Again, he handed me a little doll.

Me: What's this?

Jin: I didn't give it to you yesterday, so I am giving it to you now. I'm going home now, bye.

Me: Wait, wait! Do you know what today is?

Jin: Today? Huh?

I felt so sad. I thought he would remember my birthday. He turned around and walked away like nothing had happened.

Then I shouted, "Wait?"

Jin: You have something to say?

Me: Tell me. Tell me you love me?

Jin: What?!

Me: Tell me

I put my pathetic self behind and clung on to him. But he just said simple cold words and left.

"I don't want to say that I love someone so easily, if you are desperate to hear it, then find someone else."

That was what he said. Then he ran off.

My legs felt numbed and I collapsed to the ground. He
didn't want to say it easily? How could he? I felt that maybe he is not the right guy for me.

After that day, I stranded myself at home crying, just crying. He didn't call me, although I was waiting. He just continued handing me a little doll every morning outside my house. That's how those dolls piled up in my room, everyday. After a month, I got myself together and went to school. But what made the pain resurface was that I saw him on a street with another girl. He had a smile on his face, one that he never showed me as he touched the doll

I ran straight back home and looked at the dolls in my room, and tears fell. Why did he give these to me? Those dolls are probably picked out by some other girls? In a fit of anger, I threw the dolls around. Then suddenly, the phone rang. It was him.

He told me to come out to the bus stop outside my house. I tried to calm myself down and walked to the bus stop. I kept reminding myself that I am going to forget him that it's going to end. Then he came into my sight, holding a big doll.

Jin: Jo, I thought you were pissed. You really came?

I couldn't help hating him, acting like nothing had happened and joking around. Soon, he held out the doll as usual?

Me: I don't need it.

Jin: What? Why?

I grabbed the doll from his hands and threw it on the road.

Me: I don't need this doll. I don't need it anymore!! I don't want to see a person like you again!

I spitted out all the words that were inside me. But unlike other days, his eyes are shaking.

"I'm sorry" He apologized in a tiny voice. He then walked over to the road to pick up the doll.

Me: You stupid! Why are you picking up the doll? Just throw it away!!!

But he ignored me and just went to pick the doll. Then?

Honk…Honk…

With a loud honk, a big truck was heading towards him.

"Jin! Move! Move away!" I shouted?

But he didn't hear me. He squatted down and picked up the doll.

"Jin, move!"

HONK…

"Boom!" That sound, so terrifying.

That's how he went away from me. That's how he went away without even opening his eyes to say one word to me.

After that day, I had to go through everyday with guiltiness and the sadness of losing him.

And after spending two months like a crazy person, I took out the dolls. Those were the only gifts he left me since the day we started going out. I remembered the days I spent with him and started to count the days when we were in love.

"One. Two. Three…"

That was how? I started to count the dolls?

"Four hundred and eighty four. Four hundred and eighty five."

It all ended with 485 dolls. I then started to cry again, with a doll in my arms. I hugged it tightly, then suddenly…

"I love you… I love you…"

I dropped the dolls shocked.

"I love you…"

I picked up the dolls and pressed its stomach.

"I love you… I love you…"

It can't be!

I pressed all the dolls' stomach as it piled on the side.

"I love you…"

"I love you…"

"I love you…"

Those words came out non-stop.

"I love you…"

Why didn't I realize that his heart was always by my side, protecting me? Why didn't I realize that he love me this much?

I took out the doll under the bed and pressed its stomach. That was the last doll. The one that fell on the road. It had his bloodstain on it. The voice came out, the one that I was missing so much.

"Jo, do you know what today is? We've been loving each other for 486 days. Do you know what 486 is? I couldn't say I love you since I was too shy. If you forgive me and take this doll, I will say that I love you everyday, till I die. Jo, I love you."

The tears came flowing out of me. Why? Why? I asked god, why do I only know about all this now? He can't be by my side, but he loved me until his last minute. For that, and for that reason to me, it became courage to live a beautiful life.

The Treasured List

2005-02-22T18:05:00.000+08:00

One day a teacher asked her students to list the names of the other students in the room on two sheets of paper, leaving a space between each name.

Then she told them to think of the nicest thing they could say about each of their classmates and write it down. It took the remainder of the class period to finish their assignment, and as the students left the room, each one handed in the papers.

That Saturday, the teacher wrote down the name of each student on a separate sheet of paper, and listed what everyone else had said about that individual.

On Monday she gave each student his or her list. Before long, the entire class was smiling. "Really?" she heard whispered. "I never knew that I meant anything to anyone!" and, "I didn't know others liked me so much," were most of the comments.

No one ever mentioned those papers in class again. She never knew if they discussed them after class or with their parents, but it didn't matter. The exercise had accomplished its purpose.

The students were happy with themselves and one another. That group of students moved on. Several years later, one of the students was killed in Vietnam and his teacher attended the funeral of that special student.

She had never seen a serviceman in a military coffin before. He looked so handsome, so mature. The church was packed with his friends. One by one those who loved him took a last walk by the coffin. The teacher was the last one to bless the coffin.

As she stood there, one of the soldiers who acted as pallbearer came up to her.

"Were you Mark's math teacher?" he asked.

She nodded: "Yes."

Then he said: "Mark talked about you a lot."

After the funeral, most of Mark's former classmates went together to a luncheon. Mark's mother and father were there, obviously waiting to speak with his teacher.

"We want to show you something," his father said, taking a wallet out of his pocket. "They found this on Mark when he was killed. We thought you might recognize it."

Opening the billfold, he carefully removed two worn pieces of notebook paper that had obviously been taped, folded and refolded again and again.

The teacher knew without looking that the papers were the ones on which she had listed all the good things each of Mark's classmates had said about him.

"Thank you so much for doing that," Mark's mother said. "As you can see, Mark treasured it." All of Mark's former classmates started to gather around.

Charlie smiled rather sheepishly and said, "I still have my list. It's in the top drawer of my desk at home."

Chuck's wife said, "Chuck asked me to put his in our wedding album."

"I have mine too," Marilyn said. "It's in my diary."

Then Vicki, another classmate, reached into her pocketbook, took out her wallet and showed her worn and frazzled list to the group. "I carry this with me at all times, " Vicki said and without batting an eyelash, she continued: "I think we all saved our lists."

That's when the teacher finally sat down and cried. She cried for Mark and for all his friends who would never see him again.

The density of people in society is so thick that we forget that life will end one day. And we don't know when that one day will be.

The Dreams of the Trees

2005-02-22T17:49:00.000+08:00

Sometimes we get what we need and not what we want..........

Once there were three trees on a hill in the woods. They were discussing their hopes and dreams when the first tree said, "Someday, I hope to be a treasure chest. I could be filled with gold, silver and precious gems and be decorated with intricate carvings. Everyone would see my beauty."

The second tree said, "Someday, I will be a mighty ship. I will take kings and queens across the waters and sail to the corners of other world. Everyone will feel safe in me because of the strength of my hull."

Finally, the third tree said, "I want to grow to be the tallest and straightest tree in the forest. People will see me on top of the hill and look up to my branches, and think of the heavens and God and how close to them I am reaching. I will be the greatest tree of all time, and people will always remember me."

After a few years of praying that their dreams would come true, a group of woodsmen came upon the trees. One came to the first tree and said, "This looks like a strong tree, I think I should be able to sell the wood to a carpenter," and he began cutting it down. The tree was happy, because he knew that the carpenter would make him into a treasure chest. At the second tree, one of the other woodsman said, "This looks like a strong tree. I should be able to sell it to the shipyard." The second tree was happy, because he knew he was on his way to becoming a mighty ship.

When the woodsmen came upon the third tree, the tree was frightened, because it knew that, if it was cut down, its dreams would not come true. One of the woodsmen said, "I don't need anything special from my tree, so I'll take this one," and he cut it down.

When the first tree arrived at the carpenter's, he was made into a feed box for animals, placed in a barn and filled with hay. This was not at all what he had prayed for.

The second tree was cut and made into a small fishing boat. His dreams of being a mighty ship and carrying kings had come to an end. The third tree was cut into large pieces and left alone in the dark.

The years went by, and the trees forgot about their dreams. Then on filtered day, a man and woman came to the barn. She gave birth, and they placed the baby in the hay in the feed box that was made from the first tree. The man wished that he could have made a crib for the baby, but this manger would have to do. The tree could feel the importance of this event and knew that it had held the greatest treasure of all time.

Years later, a group of men got in the fishing boat made from the second tree. One of them was tired and went to sleep. While they were out on the water, a great storm arose, and the tree didn't think it was strong enough to keep the men safe.

The men woke the sleeping man, and he stood and said "Peace," and the storm stopped. At this time, the tree knew that it had carried the King of Kings in its boat.

Finally, someone came and got the third tree. It was carried through the streets, and the crowd mocked the man who was carrying it.

Finally, the man was nailed to the tree and raised in the air to die at the top of a hill. When Sunday came, the tree came to realize that it was strong enough to stand at the top of the hill and be as close to God as was possible, because Jesus had been crucified on it.

The moral of this story is that, when things don't seem to be going your way, always know that God has a plan for you. If you place your trust in Him, He will give you great gifts. Each of the trees got what they wanted, just not in the way they had imagined. We don't always know what God's plans are for us. We just know that His ways are not our ways, but His ways are always best.

The Black Robbers

2005-02-22T17:35:00.000+08:00

I'm sure you'll learn something from this.

This would have been the best email I've ever read... For anyone who didn't see the episode of David Letterman's which this story was told, read this: (And remember this is a true story)

On a recent weekend in Atlantic City, a woman won a bucketful of quarters at a slot machine. She took a break from the slots for dinner with her husband in the hotel dining room. But first she wanted to stash the quarters in her room.

"I'll be right back and we'll go to eat,'" she told her husband and carried the coin-laden bucket to the elevator.

As she was about to walk into the elevator she noticed two men already aboard. Both were black. One of them was very tall and had an intimidating figure. The woman froze. Her first thought was: 'These two are going to rob me.'

Her next thought was: "Don't be a bigot, they look like perfectly nice gentlemen." But racial stereotypes are powerful, and fear immobilized her.

She stood and stared at the two men. She felt anxious, flustered and ashamed. She hoped they didn't read her mind, but gosh, they had to know what she was thinking!!! Her hesitation about joining them in the elevator was all too obvious now. Her face was flushed. She couldn't just stand there, so with a mighty effort of will she picked up one foot and stepped forward and followed with the other foot and was on the elevator.

Avoiding eye contact, she turned around stiffly and faced the elevator doors as they closed. A second passed, and then another second, and then another. Her fear increased. The elevator didn't move. Panic consumed her. "My God," she thought. "I'm trapped and about to be robbed!" her heart plummeted. Perspiration poured from every pore. Then one of the men said, "Hit the floor." Instinct told her to do what they told her. The buckets of quarters flew upwards as she threw out her arms and collapsed on the elevator floor.

A shower of coins rained down on her. "Take my money and spare me," she prayed. More seconds passed. She heard one of the men say politely, "Ma'am, if you'll just tell us what floor you're going to, we'll push the button." The one who said it had a little trouble getting the words out. He was trying mightily to hold in a belly laugh.

The woman lifted her head and looked up at the two men. They reached down to help her up. Confused, she struggled to her feet. "When I told my friend here to hit the floor, I didn't mean for you to hit the floor, ma'am. He spoke genially. He bit his lip. It was obvious he was having a hard time not laughing.

The woman thought, "My god, what a spectacle I've made of myself." She was too humiliated to speak. She wanted to blurt out an apology but words failed her. How do you apologize to two perfectly respectable gentlemen for behaving as though they were going to rob you? She didn't know what to say.

The three of them gathered up the strewn quarters and refilled her bucket.

When the elevator arrived at her floor they insisted on walking her to her room. She seemed a little unsteady on her feet, and they were afraid she might not make it down the corridor. At her door they bid her a good evening. As she slipped into her room she could hear them roaring with laughter as they walked back to the elevator.

The woman brushed herself off. She pulled herself together and went downstairs for dinner with her husband.

The next morning, flowers were delivered to her room - a dozen roses. Attached to EACH rose was a crisp one hundred dollar bill. The card said, "Thanks for the best laugh we've had in years."

It was signed,

Eddie Murphy & Michael Jordan.

A Woman's Worth

2005-02-22T17:13:00.000+08:00

In a brief conversation, a man asked a woman, hewas pursuing, the question "What kind of man are you looking for?"

She sat quietly for a moment before looking him inthe eye and asking, "Do you really want to know?"

Reluctantly, he said, "Yes."

She began to expound..." As a woman in this day and age, I am in a position to ask a man what he can do for me that I can't do for myself. I pay my own bills. I take care of my household with out the help of any man...or woman for that matter. I am in the position to ask, "What can you bring to the table?"

The man looked at her. Clearly he thought that shewas referring to money. She quickly corrected histhought and stated, "I am not referring to money. I need something more. I need a man who is striving for perfection in every aspect of life."

He sat back in his chair, folded his arms, andasked her to explain.

She said, "I am looking for someone who is striving for perfection mentally because I need conversation and mental stimulation. I don't need a simple minded man.

I am looking for someone who is striving forperfection spiritually because I don't need to beunequally yoked...believers mixed with unbelieversis a recipe for disaster.

I need a man who is striving for perfectionfinancially because I don't need a financial burden.

I am looking for someone who is sensitive enough to understand what I go through as a woman but strong enough to keep me grounded.

I am looking for someone who I can respect. In order to be submissive, I must respect him. I cannot be submissive to a man who isn't taking care of his business. I have no problem being submissive...he just has to be worthy. God made woman to be a helpmate for man. I can't help a man if he can't help himself."

When she finished her spill, she looked at him. He sat there with a puzzled look on his face. He said, "You are asking a lot.

She replied, "I'm worth a lot.

What Do Women Want?

2005-02-18T13:01:00.000+08:00

Young King Arthur was ambushed and imprisoned by the monarch of a neighboring kingdom. The monarch could have killed him but was moved by Arthur's youth and ideals. So, the monarch offered him his freedom, as long as he could answer a very difficult question.
Arthur would have a year to figure out the answer and, if after a year, he still had no answer, he would be put to death. The question?

What do women really want?

Such a question would perplex even the most knowledgeable man, and to young Arthur, it seemed an impossible query. But, since it was better than death, he accepted the monarch's proposition to have an answer by year's end.

He returned to his kingdom and began to poll everyone: the princess, the priests, the wise men and even the court jester. He spoke with everyone, but no one could give him a satisfactory answer. Many people advised him to consult the old witch, for only she would have the answer. But the price would be high; as the witch was famous throughout the kingdom for the exorbitant prices she charged.

The last day of the year arrived and Arthur had no choice but to talk to the witch. She agreed to answer the question, but he would have to agree to her price first.

The old witch wanted to marry Sir Lancelot, the most noble of the Knights of the Round Table and Arthur's closest friend!

Young Arthur was horrified. She was hunchbacked and hideous, had only one tooth, smelled like sewerage, made obscene noises, etc. He had never encountered such a repugnant creature in all his life. He refused to force his friend to marry her and endure such a terrible burden, but Lancelot, learning of the proposal, spoke with Arthur. He said nothing was too big of a sacrifice compared to Arthur's life and the preservation of the Round Table. Hence, a wedding was proclaimed and the witch answered Arthur's question thus:

What a woman really wants, she answered is to be in charge of her own life.

Everyone in the kingdom instantly knew that the witch had uttered a great truth and that Arthur's life would be spared. And so it was, the neighboring monarch granted Arthur his freedom and Lancelot and the witch had a wonderful wedding.

The honeymoon hour approached and Lancelot, steeling himself for a horrific experience, entered the bedroom. But, what a sight awaited him. The most beautiful woman he had ever seen lay before him on the bed. The astounded Lancelot asked what had happened. The beauty replied that since he had been so kind to her when she appeared as a witch, she would henceforth, be her horrible and deformed self only half the time and the beautiful maiden the other half.

Which would he prefer? Beautiful during the day or night?

Lancelot pondered the predicament. During the day, a beautiful woman to show off to his friends, but at night, in the privacy of his castle, an old witch? Or, would he prefer having a hideous witch during the day, but by night, a beautiful woman for him to enjoy wondrous, intimate moments?

Noble Lancelot, knowing the answer the witch gave Arthur to his question, said that he would allow HER to make the choice herself.

Upon hearing this, she announced that she would be beautiful all the time because he had respected her enough to let her be in charge of her own life.

The Mayonnaise Jar and the Coffee

2005-02-18T12:35:00.000+08:00

When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day are not enough, remember the mayonnaise jar...and the coffee...

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls. He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls. He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else. He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous "yes."

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar, effectively filling the empty space between the sand. The students laughed.

"Now," said the professor, as the laughter subsided, "I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life.

The golf balls are the important things -- your God, family, your children, your health, your friends, and your favorite passions -- things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, your house, and your car.

The sand is everything else -- the small stuff.

"If you put the sand into the jar first," he continued, "there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. Take out to dinner. Play another 18. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. Take care of the golf balls first, the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand."

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented.

The professor smiled. "I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend."

The Son

2005-02-17T18:48:00.000+08:00

Every Sunday afternoon, after the morning service at their church, the Pastor and his 11-year-old son would go out into their town and hand out Gospel tracts.

This particular Sunday afternoon, as it came time for the Pastor and his son to go to the streets with their tracts, it was very cold outside as well as pouring down rain. The boy bundled up in his warmest and driest clothes and said, "Okay Dad, I'm ready."

His Pastor Dad asked, "Ready for what?"

"Dad, it's time we gather our tracts together and go out." Dad responds, "Son, it's very cold outside and it's pouring down rain." The boy gives his Dad a surprised look, asking, "But Dad, aren't people still going to Hell even though it's raining?"

Dad answers, "Son, I am not going out in this weather." Despondently the boy asks, "Dad, can I go-- Please?" His father hesitated for a moment then said, "Son, you can go. Here are the tracts; be careful son."

"Thanks, Dad!" And with that he was off and out into the rain.

This 11-year-old boy walked the streets of the town going door-to-door and handing everybody he met in the street a Gospel tract. After two hours of walking in the rain, he was soaking bone-chilled wet and down to his very last tract. He stopped on a corner and looked for someone to hand a tract to but the streets were totally deserted.

Then he turned toward the first home he saw and started up the sidewalk to the front door and rang the doorbell. He rang the bell -- but nobody answered. He rang it again and again, but still no one answered. He waited but still no answer. Finally, this 11-year-old trooper turned to leave but something stopped him.

Again, he turned to the door and rang the bell and knocked loudly on the door with his fist. He waited; something held him there on the front porch. He rang again, and this time the door slowly opened.

Standing in the doorway was a very sad looking elderly lady. She softly asked, "What can I do for you, son?"

With radiant eyes and a smile that lit up her world, this little boy said, "Ma'am, I'm sorry if I disturbed you, but I just want to tell you that JESUS REALLY DOES LOVE YOU! I came to give you my very last Gospel tract which will tell you all about Jesus and His great love."

With that he handed her his last tract and turned to leave. She called to him as he departed, "Thank you, son! And God bless you!"

Well, the following Sunday morning in church, Pastor Dad was in the pulpit and as the service began he asked, "Does anybody have a testimony or want to say anything?" Slowly, in the back row of the church, an elderly lady stood to her feet.

As she began to speak, a look of glorious radiance came from her face. "None of you in this church know me. I've never been here before. You see, before last Sunday I was not a Christian. My husband has passed on, some time ago, leaving me totally alone in this world. Last Sunday, being a particularly cold and rainy day, it was even more so in my heart . . . as I came to the end of the line where I no longer had any hope or will to live.

"So I took a rope and a chair and ascended the stairway into the attic of my home. I fastened the rope securely to a rafter in the roof then stood on the chair and fastened the other end of the rope around my neck.

"Standing on that chair, so lonely and brokenhearted, I was about to leap off when suddenly the loud ringing of my doorbell downstairs startled me. I thought, 'I'll wait a minute, and whoever it is will go away.' "I waited and waited - but the ringing doorbell seemed to get louder and more insistent and then the person ringing also started knocking loudly.

I thought to myself again, 'Who on earth could this be? Nobody ever rings my bell or comes to see me!' I loosened the rope from my neck and started for the front door, all the while the bell rang louder and louder.

"When I opened the door and looked, I could hardly believe my eyes! There on my front porch was the most radiant and angelic little boy I had ever seen in my life! His smile! Oh, I could never describe it to you! And the words that came from his mouth caused my heart, that had long been dead, to leap to life as he exclaimed with cherub-like voice, 'Ma'am, I just came to tell you that JESUS REALLY DOES LOVE YOU.'

"Then he gave me this Gospel tract that I now hold in my hand. As the little angel disappeared back out, into the cold and rain, I closed my door and read slowly every word of this Gospel tract. Then I went up to my attic to get my rope and chair. I wouldn't be needing them any more.

"You see, I am now a happy child of the KING, and since the address of your church was on the back of this Gospel tract I have come here to personally say, Thank you to God's little angel who came just in the nick of time, and by so doing, spared my soul from an eternity in Hell."

There were now no dry eyes in the church. As shouts of praise and honor to the KING resounded off the very rafters of the building, Pastor Dad descended from the pulpit to the front pew where the little angel was seated.

He took him in his arms and sobbed uncontrollably. Probably no church has had a more glorious moment and probably this Universe has never seen a Papa that was more filled with love and honor for his son, except for one:

This Father, God, also allowed His Son, Jesus, to go out into a cold and dark world. He received His Son back with joy unspeakable, and as all of Heaven shouted praises and honor to the King, the Father sat His beloved Son on a throne far above all principality and power and every name that is named.

There may be someone, reading this, who is also going through a dark, cold, and lonely time in your soul.

You may be a Christian, or you may not yet know the King. Whatever the case and whatever the problem or situation you find yourself in, and no matter how dark it may seem, I want you to know that I just want you to know, "JESUS REALLY DOES LOVE YOU!"