GOOD FRIENDS ARE GOOD MEDICINE
Our news is constantly filled with the reality of death and dying.
And each of us, if we live long enough, experiences the loss of
persons we loved.
Children ages eight through ten were asked what they thought about
death, and these are some of their answers:
"When you die, God takes care of you like your mother did when you
were alive - only God doesn't yell at you all the time." (Beth, 9)
"When you die, they bury you in the ground and your soul goes to
heaven, but your body can't go to heaven because it's too crowded up
there already." (Jimmy, 8)
"Only the good people go to heaven. The other people go where it's
hot all the time like in Florida." (Judy, 9)
"Maybe I'll die someday, but I hope I don't die on my birthday
because it's no fun to celebrate your birthday if you're dead." (Jon,
9)
"I'm not afraid to die because I'm a Boy Scout." (Kevin, 10)
"Doctors help you so you won't die until you pay their bills."
(Stephanie, 9)
I've observed that the loss of a loved one can be one of the most
difficult things we humans can face. And one of our greatest needs as
we experience such a loss is for simple, human comfort. I've known
friends of sick and dying people to sit by a bedside or in a hospital
room for hours, even days, at a time. I've sometimes heard them offer
words of prayer. I've seen food in homes of people who are dying
overflow from kitchen to dining room - food brought by comforting
friends from church and concerned neighbors. And I've observed
friends to just listen for as long as it takes. Caring friends are
needed medicine in such times.
When U.S. Congressman Sam Rayburn (1882-1961) discovered that he was
ill, he announced to the House of Representatives he was going back
home to Bonham, Texas for medical tests. Some wondered why he did not
stay in Washington D. C. where there were excellent medical
facilities -- probably some of the best in the world. His answer was
a beautiful tribute to friendship: "Bonham is a place where people
know it when you're sick, and where they care when you die."
No one wants to go through difficult times alone. So Rayburn traded
the best of medical technology for the closeness of loving friends.
He knew that good friends are good medicine. Sometimes the best
medicine there is.
Steve Goodier
With Each Day
May I positively impact the life of another, and smile more than frown;
Put service and compassion before my own renown;
Meet adversity with courage, sorrow with hope;
Have Faith to face uncertainty, and resiliency to cope;
With joy as my companion, and truth as my guide;
May I walk the path of excellence, gaining knowledge with each stride;
To see the good that lies within each person in suppression;
And through love and understanding, bring it forth into expression;
Though this day may bring new challenges, yet not manifest;
May I ever be reminded how much my life is blessed.
Robert Akers
Activity with no clear direction is little more than a waste of time and energy. Yet when you give direction to your efforts, they result in true achievement.
No matter how fast and furious you're going, if you don't have a consistent direction then you won't end up getting anywhere meaningful. Yet even the smallest, slowest steps, when they have a well-defined direction, can take you to the most ambitious and valuable goal.
Once you're clear about your direction, your thoughts and actions will begin to take you there. For your life is a swift arrow in need of a target.
Know what that target is, and that is where the arrow of your life will fly. People, places, conditions and events will work together to move you in whatever direction you have sincerely and intentionally chosen.
Your wisdom and experience, your knowledge and skills, your passions and resources all are made accessible and effective when they are well focused. Provide your life with direction, and your life will provide you with accomplishment.
Thoughtfully and lovingly choose your direction, then commit yourself to it. And each moment, each action will move you toward it.
Ralph Marston
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