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February27, 2007 - "Sometimes rain..." >> |
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"I Believe in you!"
A message of Hope...stories from the
road.
By Bob Perks
************************************************
Hello, my Friend!
My best to you today and always.
It isn't overwhelming, but I have suddenly become aware of
a number of my "friends" struggling with loss and I
immediately
felt this need to write. I have long ago recognized
the Source
of such an "urging" and have chosen to respond
as quickly as possible.
Thus, today's Friday story a day early.
Perhaps it is for you.
"I'll see you in my prayers!"
Bob and Marianne
************************************************
Perks Pearl of Wisdom
"When I die, bury me not in a cold dark grave. Bury me deep within
your heart.
I will live forever there." Bob Perks
************************************************
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Shop "Wishes" our online store and help
us to keep these message free.
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Our mission... "To touch the world one
person at a time."
It is a ministry of the heart.
If you'd like to help, why not make a
donation?
Can't help financially then please remember us in your
prayers.
It would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Bob and Marianne
********************************************
All stories copyright 2007 Bob Perks
Today's message:
"Love and the joy of hurting"
By Bob Perks
"Do you like what you do?" she asked me.
"I write about happy things," I said.
"Wait a minute. I've read your work. You made me cry
sometimes," she said.
"That makes me happy," I replied.
"Well, that's sick," she said smiling.
"I don't make people cry by hurting them. They often cry from the
hurt they have already.
When I first started writing, people would reply telling me that they
cried. I wrote back every
time to apologize until I one day realized what a privilege it was."
She still looked at me oddly.
"You see, something I was inspired to write touched someone in such a way
as to draw from
them an emotion. They, the reader, actually permitted me, trusted me
to enter into their very
being that day and release the pain or joy associated with my story."
"So, I let you in?"
"No, God did. He used that moment to connect us. There was
something you needed to feel and
something He wanted me to say."
"Then why do we hurt so much?"
"Love."
How much we hurt is often in relationship to how much we love. The
same can be said about
happiness. How much happiness there is in our lives depends on how
much love we have not
only for those around us, but for life itself.
Like the death of a loved one.
Such loss is a pain we all endure many times in our
lives. Why? Because we love.
But the great thing about love is, it never ceases, even
after the final goodbye.
Love continues. It does not cease to exist because someone has
died. I believe it is not
the memory of someone gone, but the love of someone that sustains us.
Love is more than
remembering. Love is first a decision of the mind and then a
commitment of the heart.
A few years ago, someone wrote to me asking "When will I stop
hurting?"
At that time there seemed to be a number of people who were struggling with
loss.
I have recently become aware that some of my "friends I've never met,"
are hurting.
Permit me to share that story with you again:
When will I stop hurting?
By Bob Perks
"I lost a loved one nearly a year
ago. When will I stop hurting?"
The question was simple but difficult
to answer. She was challenging me.
I wanted to help her, but I knew that
only she could answer that question.
Whenever someone writes to tell me
about a death, I always talk about
the difficult months ahead. I refer
to it as a "Year of Firsts." The first holiday,
birthday, anniversary, summer picnic
or other personal event without that loved one.
Then there are those little things
you never really paid attention to before, but now
find a gaping hole right in the
middle of your day. Like the time they woke up each
morning, how they had their coffee,
the sound the door made around dinner time
when they arrived home and the way
they said "hello."
But there was something about this
message today that made me stop and really
think about what I needed to say.
Oddly, I decided that the pain she was feeling
was a good thing, but I wasn't sure
she wanted to know that.
Here is exactly what I wrote to
her:
When will you stop hurting? That is a
measure of the love you shared and how does
one measure love? By remembering them
long after they are gone. "Memories" are
the shadows of a life well lived that
remain long after the light of their being has gone out.
May you never forget. "Pain" is the
echo of remembering those special moments
when all the world belonged to the
both of you. The day will come when the pain of
remembering turns into understanding
the privilege of ever having them in your life at all.
Remembering will be a joy. Although
the pain is great at times you are reminded still,
how very much you loved and were
loved.
May the rest of your life be a
reflection of that love and when your time comes
may your passing cast long shadows for all who loved you, too. Bob Perks
###
My final thought...
When I die...
Bury me not in a cold dark grave. Bury me deep within your
heart. I will live forever there.
"I believe in you!"
Bob
I encourage you to share my stories but I do ask
that you keep my name and
contact information with my work.
*********************************************
Picture perfect...my photo gallery
of friends, family, and places related to
my stories. I would love to add your picture,
too.
*****************************************
Comments:
Have a comment about today's story?
please write to Bob@BobPerks.com
Bob Perks is a professional speaker, author, and
vocalist.
Member - Pennwriters 10 year member National Speakers Association 1996-2006 Inspirational Columnist for Beliefnet
http://www.beliefnet.com/author/author_148.html Visit http://www.BobPerks.com
"I Wish You enough!"
©2001 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." |
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| << February21, 2007 - "Life in a candy bar" |
February27, 2007 - "Sometimes rain..." >> |
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