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Subject: "One day in April" - March01, 2007

"I Believe in you!"

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

By Bob Perks

************************************************

Hello, my Friend!

Okay, so I am opening my heart again. I tell you everything. In doing so

I share the good and the bad. Like old friends do.

I have struggled about this one for months now. I wanted to

tell you this last December but couldn't. Keith just called me.

It's time.

Love always and all ways,

Bob and Marianne

************************************************

Perks Pearl of Wisdom

"Miracles are always of God but expected from all of us."

Bob Perks

************************************************

Today's message:

"One day in April"

By Bob Perks

The look on his face burned into my heart. I know he's a man now, but

he'll always be my boy.

We were celebrating Christmas Eve 2006 at his house. It was the perfect

celebration. A Christmas like no other I could remember in decades. I hadn't

been this happy in years.

Nothing, but nothing could go wrong.

That is until I saw it in his face.

We were standing in his living room talking about how great things were.

Sarah's grandfather was telling us a story when someone walked in.

"I have great news to tell you," Sarah's brother announced. "We are going to have a baby!"

I stopped listening. I immediately turned toward Keith. His face melted. His body language

changed dramatically. His shoulders slumped forward and my heart began to pound. I've seen

this look before. His eyes open and close slowly. His jaw grinds and his eyes sink deep inward.

I wanted to hold him. I wanted to pick him up like I did so many times when he was just a little boy.

He'd fall off his bike and I'd run to his side. He'd miss a fly ball in little league and the world would

beat him up. I wanted to catch it for him next time, but I knew I couldn't.

So, there he stood, a boy in a man's world and I couldn't do a thing.

Days would pass before he'd begin to "get over" the pain. Then, just when he put it all in perspective,

another announcement. Sarah's other brother told the family a baby was on the way.

This time it hit him hard. He literally shut himself in his office at home. He bowed out of participating in

family things.

I know I have shared this story with you before. My son had cancer at 18. The odds

were he would not survive. He did. In April he turns 30.

Miracle enough, one might think.

The day he was told he had cancer the first thing he asked was, "Will I be able to have children?"

"No," the doctor replied. "But there are procedures, steps to take before you have your first treatment.

But that is the least of your worries."

He didn't know my son. He was 18 and worried about having children. It was the biggest of dreams for him

not the least of his worries.

Having done all the right things before his chemo began they waited until 2005 to try.

Samples were limited and every attempt failed. It was devastating for him.

Now two years later the time has come for his very last try. This time he really needs a miracle.

How much do miracles cost? Nothing. But medical miracles in this case cost $9,000 for the first try,

$6,000 for the second and then $9,000 for the very last attempt. If needed.

But I believe in miracles. So does he.

He called me a short time ago to tell me that they just left the doctor's office. The same specialist they used

before.

"It's time, Dad. I have been fighting this for two years. But I promised my wife we'd have a baby by the time I was 30,"

he said as his voice welled up and he edged on tears.

He turns 30 on April 10.

"I need to get a loan for $9,000," he said.

I swallowed and said, "What can we do to help?"

"Pray!"

"But I want to offer..."

He interrupted me. "This is our thing to do."

He won't take money from me for this. So I came up with a plan.

I call it "One day in April." I am giving myself away. One day at a time.

I recently produced a new poster featuring my piece, "In this day..." It's beautiful.

Measures 12" x 18" on poster quality paper...comes rolled, unmatted and ready

to be framed or simply posted on a bulletin board or wall.

I offered him money and he wouldn't buy into it.

So, I'm selling myself to anyone who wants a piece of this medical miracle. Make a gift

in any amount and I'll send you an autographed copy of "In this day..."

It is no longer available in my store. It is exclusively for this.

Go to the link below for more information. But please hurry. He's about to go into big debt

so that they can begin this final procedure sometime in April..."One day in April"

If you can help in any way, I will be forever grateful.

My plan is to raise half of what he needs. He needs a miracle that costs $9,000.

He just called again, the fifth time today...this time he said, "You're going to be a grandfather."

I'm scared. I'm afraid for him. I can't run out and catch the ball this time. If it doesn't work again,

I can't pick him up from this fall. But I can sell myself for a dream.

The dream when a boy becomes a Dad..."One day in April"

http://bobperks.com/donations.htm

Please share this story with anyone you can. My offer stands

until I reach that goal.

"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.

*********************************************

Comments:

Have a comment about today's story?

please write to "2 believe @ comcast .com"

(spaces were placed between words in email address for security)

RE: "Sometimes rain"

Hi Bob

Thanking you for sharing this wonderful and touching story with me, I am

planning on getting married soon and thankfully I still have both my parents,

in good health, God is good. This story made me teary eyed, I could never

imagine my wedding day without my daddy. I am 30 years old and he is still

and always will be my Daddy. He reminds me of all the wonderful things a

childhood can be... ice-cream cones, walks on the beach, train rides and boat rides,

flying kites, looking at the stars on a clear summer’s night. You make me cry and

count my blessings. Your ministry is a blessing to people everywhere and its holy

spirit inspired, you send out what we need when we need it. God bless you my

friend and I’ll see you and Marianne in my prayers.

Love Maria (Durban, South Africa)

Bob,

I loved today's story. We have a similar one. My brother-in-law had cancer for several

years and during his last year it was obvious that he wouldn't be there for his step-daughter's

wedding. He told his wife that he would be there. There would be a rainbow.

She forgot about his promise and her daughter's day was bright and sunny. Then she

heard people talking about how unusual that was. There is the perfect sky was a

beautiful rainbow. We too have pictures, and call it Eddie's rainbow.

God bless you and Marianne.

Janet

Reading Kimberley's story brought tears and memories for me. My husband didn't get a

chance to even propose before my father died. But I'm so glad they met and loved each

other from the start. Sometimes waiting for that "right moment" isn't very RIGHT!! Thank

you for reminding me of the special bonds between father and daughters on their wedding

day. By the way, do you use a new email address now?

God Bless... Nancy, Ocklawaha, Florida

Bob,

I am so glad Kim let you share this story with all of us! So many thoughts – I just can’t find

the right words to explain how it made me feel!! I am so happy for her that her Pa was

there to share her very special day!! Happy tears too!!

Thanks again for sharing!

Lynn from Missouri

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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March06, 2007 - "You'll never know" >>

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