Archives at Zinester: "Life in a candy bar". "I Believe in You!".

Subject: "Life in a candy bar" - February21, 2007

"I Believe in you!"

A message of Hope...stories from the road.

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It is Wednesday and this week is flying by at the speed of...I guess,

time...always seconds away from another gift, another opportunity

to appreciate all this day has to offer.

It happens every time. I am still amazed that my writing reaches places

I have never been. I continue to gain new "friends I've never met" from

South Africa, Germany, Australia, India and other great places.

Someday I hope to see you all.

Love, Bob and Marianne

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Perks Pearl of Wisdom

"If you could hold a day in your hand what good would you do with it?

Pick up a calendar and make plans now." Bob Perks

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Would you help us, please?

It is a mission of the heart completely supported by my

"friends I've never met"...You!

We have a great collection of cards, posters, mugs,

shirts, and gifts for your dog, too.

Or...Make a d o n a t i o n to help support our efforts

to "Touch the world one person at a time."

This link will take you to my web page for more information,

shopping, and ways you can help.

I humbly thank you in advance...

Love always and all ways,

Bob and Marianne Perks

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"Life in a candy bar"

Dust off the memory. Clean out my mind. Add a little worldly wisdom gained

through time and suddenly I see life in a candy bar.

"Like a kid in a candy store." How appropriate.

I stood there in front of a long display of candy bars, each one calling my name,

taunting me, tempting me.

"I'm ChunkyŽ...you know you love me. I'm a ChunkyŽ bar that's healthy to eat. Nuts

and raisins are good for you, Bob."

"Hey, Kit KatsŽ are light and easy to eat."

"SnickersŽ are the perfect treat at this time of the day."

Then I saw it. I haven't had one in years. It is a candy bar of my childhood.

"But Bob, you've grown up and far beyond the call of childish temptations," the voice of logic said.

"No, I haven't!" I replied, quickly grabbed one and headed to the checkout.

Seated in my car, my eyes now transfixed on this sweet treat from heaven,

I slowly open one end and slide the first of two treats into my palm.

"Wait! I forgot about that. They still do this?" I said out loud.

What could possibly be more important than a taste of my youth?

Collectible points. Play money. The chance to save up for even more of these

creamy wonders. Or maybe something from their prize catalog!

Go away you 57 year old man of the world. I am once again a kid and all the world I need

These milk chocolate, coconut, and "Whipped Creme Center" cups always came

with a bonus. The cardboard on the bottom was always printed with Mallo CupŽ points

redeemable for cash or prizes. Okay, you need 500 to get a dollar. The amounts varied from

5 to 50 as I remembered it. Mostly fives. But, as a child I saw that as no obstacle at all.

Today's treat only gave me 5, but the value of the moment is immeasurable.

Then it came to me. There I go again. Now in this 57th year of my childhood, I saw something more.

Since we have faced so many life challenges in recent years, each day is a treat for me.

Waking up to the rising sun I face the dawn and slowly unwrap it.

Standing in the open doorway of my home, I inhale the fresh clean air of another new beginning.

Still another chance to get it right, make it right or simply try to appreciate it more, I smile at the

thought that God has something for me to do this day.

All wrapped in brilliant colors and filled with the best ingredients life has to offer, I begin to

consume each morsel, minute by minute.

What about the points?

Ah, yes! The points.

I believe that each day comes with the same value for each of us. Time is like a commodity and how

we "spend" each day is a reflection on how much we value it.

I will be the first to admit that I have all too often wasted moments, hours and days not

seeing the value in it at the time. Like eating the candy bar and throwing away the points,

I took from it only what I wanted and chose not to fully appreciate all those days had to offer.

But death, illness and loss have a way of putting these in perspective.

Now, I gather up everything I can. I consume the sweetness of life and set aside the gifts each

day brings for those times ahead when perhaps I have once again lost focus, feel beaten down, or

on the verge of giving up.

Then, one day when I have collected a lifetime, I will stand before my God.

"What have you gained? What do you bring of value to this final day?" he might ask.

"Nothing," I will reply.

"Father, you have given me the gift of time and I have spent it well."

"Welcome home, my son."

I bit into the first candy cup and the creamy center dripped down my chin.

I guess you can say..."My cup runneth over," like my "life in a candy bar."

I encourage you to share my stories but I do ask that you keep my name and

contact information with my work.

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Have a comment about today's story?

please write to Bob@BobPerks.com

RE: "Quite the Character"

Hi Bob once again you did it! Well I'm still referring to "A swipe and a promise". Just

shows how much your stories means to many of us.

It is truly amazing how someone's experience can change other peoples life's just by

the mere sharing of it. It definitely touches me even though I'm thousands of

kilometres away( I'm from the west coast South Africa)

Thanks again.

Lots of love to u and your family

Zane

Bob,

CHARACTER. REPUTATION. This 'epiphany' of yours brought to my mind the book "The

Golden Gems of Life or, Gathered Jewels for the Home Circle" printed in 1884. The key words

to your story "Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your

character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely

what others think you are." - Dale Carnegie ---was a wonderful summation of a 607 page book.

And your statement of "If one focuses on their character, one need not worry about their reputation."

simplified it further as you are wont to do, being the character you are. And me--Daffy Holder--tries

to see the beauty in it all for as we all know "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder" and

I happen to be HOLDER.

By the way, Bob, you look quite dapper yourself today. Daffy

Bob,

You charmer you! Saying I look wonderful with me in my nightgown & hair
sticking out at all angles!! You got it right,of course. Thanks.I
appreciate you & your great character. Jennifer

Hi Bob!

I really loved today's message. I just got home from the Cleveland Clinic. I had

"Open reduction Internal Fixation" another fancy term for repair of a broken clavicle.

I am home now & in a lot of pain. But I can go online.

I re-took my Dad's last name when I divorced in '82, so I felt this applied to me. I value

my reputation highly, and I have it in tact and in good standing. My Dad would be proud.

And so would God.

Please pray for a speedy recovery!

Thanks!

Debbie

Hello Bob,

i loved your story today. I have been married to charmers which what
attracted me I suppose but they did not have character. God wants us all
to have a charming character for Him. So I guess that is the way you can
combine them both. Margo

RE: "Something in your Eyes"

Dear Bob,

my friend, Karin in Indiana, suggested I write to
you. She often sends me your articles and I love to read
them. I always hesitate to comment - because I am sure you
know just what we want to say. But in this case, I'll write
you exactly what I wrote her.

I can't help but comment to this one! Bob Perks' articles
are always very good. But even if one just asks "how are
you?" I think one should be interested in the person and
the answer. Whether one can really help when an answer
comes is another matter. But I think just listening helps a
lot! His statement about seeing heaven in a newborn's eyes
- maybe that's why we love to see and cuddle babies so
much! Their innocence (that is heaven!) always impresses us
- we love it, even if we don't admit it.

Bob Perks should do hospital work! But he has experience
from his family history, so I am sure he said some
comforting words to this lady!

And now I hear you do hospice work - I should have known!
Otherwise you wouldn't be so feeling and realize what
people think and hope. I am a hospital volunteer myself.
Here in Germany they call them "green ladies" because of
the robes we wear. Probably that color was chosen to give
the sick a bit of hope! I work in the geriatric division
because I think our senior citizens are among the most
forgotten people and need care and love. It gives me a lot
of satisfaction too - and the older people are always so
grateful!

Keep up the good work and I look forward to many more of
your articles.

Christa, Germany

"I Wish You enough!"

2001Š Bob Perks

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."