Archives at Zinester: "Making Memories". "I Believe in You!".

Subject: "Making Memories" - December21, 2006

"I Believe in You!"

A message of Hope, stories from the road.

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Hello, my friend!

Christmas is rushing toward me like a freight train which

caused me to write this story today. I hope you enjoy it and

join me in an effort to slow it down.

Also...Pastor Nathaniel responded to my message offering the following.

I asked for his permission to share it with you here:

I hope you visit his website.

Make it a great day!

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Perks Pearl of Wisdom

"You cannot stop time, but you can capture special moments in

it that you can hold onto for a lifetime." Bob Perks

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Thanks to those who purchased our products

from our store to give as gifts this year.

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Thanks also to those who made a donation so we

can continue to "Touch the world one person at

a time."

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Today's Message:

"Making Memories"

"The time has come...and gone," I said.

Marianne looked at me and knew what I was saying was true.

Still, she felt obligated to remind me of all the time that remains

"Think about the memories you are making now and all the possibilities

of all the tomorrows that are ahead of us," she said.

It is that time to remember, to reflect back on special moments

gathered through the years. I will tell you that I am learning to

filter out anything that may tarnish the brilliance of so many glorious

memories of Christmases past. It is not easy. Those difficult to

accept life challenges, losses and painful moments in my life sneak into my

thinking. I push them away and redirect my thoughts to the things

I treasure most now.

It's like I have installed a "virus filter" on this old model brain of my mine.

And it works most times.

Up until this year, I have collected stuff, adding to, never subtracting from,

the number of boxes in my attic marked, "Christmas."

I had every good reason to do so. My two boys, Keith and Evan. They were

my excuse to add more decorations, include another Santa to my collection,

expand my outside light decorating and buy more train cars for the "O"

gauge Lionel train I still have from my childhood.

So, why have things changed?

I won't say, "I'm getting older and I can't do the things I've done when I was young."

I refuse to say, "Well, Christmas is for kids, you know." I always hated that

one because I believe a child lives inside each of us. It is waiting for us to

say, "Can you come out and play?"

No, I will not admit to any of that. I simply have found that it is time to go

I will always decorate. I will always display my Santas. I will always light up

the night with the twinkle of lights and as long as I am physically able, I will

crawl under my tree and carefully lay the tracks of 56 years, calling on the

child inside myself to yell, "All aboard!" one more time. Then blowing the whistle, I clear the

way to another trip around "Plasticville."

What can I possibly be doing that has caused me to be concerned?

I began giving some of my treasures to my children. I have justified passing on to

them, the things of their youth. The pieces of their childhood they now only get to visit while

"Evan, would you like your train set for under your tree this year?" I heard myself say.

"Keith, why don't you pick some ornaments, from our tree to put on yours."

"Let's give Evan his Advent Calendar. The one we filled with 24 small candies each

year when he was little."

I thought about all of this the other day while going through the boxes in the attic.

Surprised, confused and a bit concerned, my immediate response was, "Am I

on the down slide? Am I "Getting my life in order?" readying myself for the last

The "virus filter" I installed in my thinking kicked in.

"No, you are giving them their Christmas. The one you have painstakingly created

for them through the years. Now, they can enjoy it everyday. What a great thing to do!"

Yes, it is a marvelous time in my life when I can accept that, "the time has come...and gone."

But as my wife so beautifully stated...

"Think about the memories you are making now and all the possibilities

of all the tomorrows that are ahead of us," she said.

I need to go put my train up...bake some cookies...wrap gifts...bake some more cookies.

I'm making memories, you know.

"I believe in You!"

I encourage you to share my stories with your friends but, when

copying I ask that you keep my name and contact information

attached so that new readers can find their way here. Use of this

story for commercial use is prohibited without direct permission

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May I Suggest...

Visit my photo album:

Why not send me your picture to be added to

"My Friends I've never met"

Think you missed a message from me?

Here are the archives...

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Your Comments... If you would like to share brief comment

about today's message, please write to Bob@BobPerks.com

I will use only first names and no email addresses.

RE: "I helped you again"

I got the job that you encouraged me to apply for with the words below.

I have been reading your stories and sharing them all along. I finally took

the words to heart and did the right thing for me. Thanks for all the

encouragement and growth you have afforded me.

Be well

Fran

"The one thing I learned about life. There are rules. Break them.

There are limits. Challenge them. There are chances take them."

Bob Perks

Dear Mr Perks,

Thank you for helping me again. Sometimes we have to take

the attitude of gratitude. I forget that at times.

Have a happy and blessed Christmas.

June

Hi, Bob

Friend you have lifted my spirits many times. i wish you joy and peace
in the new year. Stay strong know others care even though we have never
meet.

all the best, Noreen

Merry Christmas Marianne and Bob and family

and may the New Year bring you all

good health, peace and happiness. You already have love which is the greatest of all.

I have been in touch with you Bob for many years. My grandson Hayden we prayed

for is six and doing well as is his brother Linden. Also I am the "green banana" gal in

her 92 year, (Bob's note...her attitude of growing older...she told me to always "Buy green bananas!")

but this could be my last one but happy to know where I will be. So if

tomorrow starts without me please do not worry or care, the home I am going to

God created for all of us to share.

You are a good man Bob so no more depression, think positive always and in all

ways, your messages have helped thousands of people I am sure and it has been

great sharing with. God Bless you and family

Love Nancy

Merry CHRIST mas Bob and Marianne. Thanks for the many blessings you have

bestowed upon me thru your website and the many stories that have touched my heart.

Thanks for listening to God so that we may hear His word thru you. Thanks for being you.

glad you are feeling better. I believe in YOU!!! Dianne

Bob,

Wow AWESOME message and I thank you. I haven't written you in such a long time,

and you may not remember me, but I asked your permission to use your messages on my

prayer group as they are so heartwarming, and you replied yes its ok, as long as I used your

Copy write..............and I always do.

I am so happy to know your wife and son are Cancer free..............Praise the Lord!!

So sorry to know they had it in the first place. Cancer is not pretty and I have lost

several family members to this horrible disease, please know you all are in my prayers.

Love,
Cissy

thanks Bob

your message today encouraged me to reach out for help too, so I too submitted

a request to Mountain Wings. Thank you for that.

Cathie

(Please say a prayer for her needs and all who sent requests to Pastor Nathaniel)

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"I wish you enough!"
Bob

Bob Perks is a professional speaker, author and vocalist.
Member National Speakers Association.
Visit http://www.BobPerks.com

Visit Bob's story site: http://www.IWishYouEnough.com
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"I wish you enough!"
written by Bob Perks (c) 2001

"I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.
I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish you enough "Hello's" to get you through the final "Goodbye."