Archives at Zinester: "In my world...". "I Believe in You!".

Subject: "In my world..." - June05, 2007

"I Believe in you!"

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

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A great week ahead for you...if you make it so.

I received so many replies to "Civil" that I couldn't possibly

share all of them here. Thanks for writing!

My best to you always.

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Perks Pearl of Wisdom

"Do the right thing and you'll never be wrong."

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Appreciate what I do?

Here's how you can help me:

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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"In my world..."

I live in a fantasy world. I come outside once in a while, look around and

hurry back to the comfort of my imagination.

I love stand up and cheer stories on the big screen that warm your heart,

make you sigh and shed tears of joy.

I love come-from-behind moments just when the bad guys are about to win

and the "do-the-right-thing" guy crosses the finish line first.

Even when you know it's going to happen anyway, it still feels good.

I wanted this story to be that way. I wanted to write this one and make you stand up

and cheer. It's still a good ending but not the one I wanted.

It's that time of year again when youngsters hit the fields of baseball dreams and

home run wanna be's step to the plate with good intentions.

Johnny is one of those go getters who would spend all his waking hours playing

sports. Soccer is #1 with him, but baseball is a close second.

Competitive sports are good for kids whether they win or lose. It teaches them how to

play by the rules, set goals, never quit and everyone gets a chance no matter how good

Johnny knew that last part wasn't true. You see, he had been playing every game

but noticed his friend Jake would only be in for two innings.

"He's a good player. He just needs a chance," he told his mom.

Game after game it was the same story. Two innings and he was through.

"Mom, it's not fair," he said.

"Well, according to the rules the each player must be permitted to play at least two innings," she said.

"That stinks! We should all play as much as possible," he insisted.

That evening he told his mom that he was going to talk to the coach about Jake. She supported him

and encouraged him to do it the next game.

That day Johnny nervously paced back and forth near the dug out. His mom could tell he was nervous

about bringing this up, but still felt obligated.

He wanted to do the right thing on behalf of his buddy.

"Coach, I noticed that Johnny doesn't get to play much," He said.

"Why is it he only plays two innings and sits the rest of the game?"

"He's not a good hitter," said the coach.

"I think you need to let him play more. How's he gonna get better at it if he doesn't play?"

"We're here to win, Johnny," he said and walked away.

This bothered him the rest of the evening. The next morning he told his mom he had a plan.

"I spoke to Jake and told him that I wasn't going to play the next game so that he

would have a chance."

"Jake thanked my a hundred times," he said smiling.

That afternoon he called the coach to tell him.

Okay, so this is where my fantasy world bubble gets popped. This is the moment in the big

movie when an adult sees the wonderful, caring compassion of a fellow team player and

gives that "rah, rah, rah" speech that causes him to discover the hidden strength in the boy

who kept the bench warm.

No. Instead he chastises Johnny for even considering this. He berates him for trying to tell him

how to coach. He even tells him that if he doesn't show up he will "let his team down."

What a powerful moment lost. How incredible it would have been if the coach praised him for

caring. Supported him for offering to sacrifice his own self so his friend would have a chance.

And in the "Disneyland in my mind" the coach would then offer to put Jake in an extra inning and

work with him so he could improve.

When the conversation ended Johnny was greatly disappointed.

"I can't believe it. But I made a promise to Jake to stay out so he could play."

The story up to this point was told to me by Johnny's mom. I loved it! I was so excited to discover

a young boy who would care that much for a friend. It was playing right before my eyes and I couldn't

wait to hear how it ended.

It wouldn't be until the next day that I would learn the outcome.

I was like a kid at Christmas. I love this stuff. I wanted to jump up and clap my hands when I heard how

it really turned out. I wanted to hear a happy ending.

In the mean time, mom was struggling with it all. She felt the need to make her son play. Personally, I wanted to see

a stand off like the scene from "High Noon." The coach at one end, Johnny at the other.

It turns out that Jake called Johnny and told him to play anyway. I'm not sure how true that was, but Johnny

No High Noon. In fact, in my eyes it got worse.

In my fantasy world, this would have been the great twist in the plot. The boy shows up. The coach praises him for supporting the

team and promises to use Jake more.

In reality, the boy shows up for the game. The coach tells he and his mom afterwards that he had decided that if Johnny hadn't played

he would have told him to turn in his uniform and kicked him off the team.

I hated this ending. I was in need of a good real life happy ending story and was left empty.

The only real joy is in knowing that the young man cared that much. It gives me hope. I only pray that the coach didn't squash his

That evening I asked God to fan the spark that made Johnny care for his friend so that he will one day do even greater things in a world that

needs more compassion and caring.

Oh, yes. I was told this is the coach's last year.

Roll the end credits.

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 "2 believe @ comcast .net"

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

dear Bob & Marianne,
do you suppose speaking to the managers
will make a difference? I don't know how
the world has gotten to this rudeness,but
I too wish people were nicer. but one thing to be thankful for , not all
people are
rude, it's just that we may meet them all
on the same day. :) nancy

Hey Bob and Marianne:

A hello was just wonderful tonight, made my day.

Hugs and Love

Laverne

Bob,

This was great story. We all need to be more civil to each other. I try to be pleasant to

everyone, but get rejected many times. Thanks for the important reminder!

Will be in PA in July. Can't wait to see my family.

Keep up with the good stories!

Love to you & Marianne

Alice Ann

Dallas,TX

Hi Bob

we love our Tim Horton's coffee up here in Canada, and quite often we go through the drive

through. When my husband gives our order, he always adds:"and with that we'd like a nice

warm smile!" The results are always friendly, and sometimes hilarious. We have had smiles

painted on the covers of our coffee cups, we have had 3 teenage employees in the pick up

window, smiling from ear to ear. We have also heard :"fat chance of getting that around here!"

only to be met at the window by an employee pointing to another saying:" she is so mean, that

is why we don't smile" ( of course it was all in fun ).

One more thing, at Christmas time we always pay for the car behind us and ask the staff to tell

the driver to pass it on, It always works! I celebrated my 69 birthday yesterday - and - every day is a great day.

Our love to you and all of yours!

Johanna

"The wonderful thing about praying is
....you can do it anywhere."

Bob,

I'm fine and I hope you are too! Gracious! People can be so rude! I worked with the public for

23 years and I met some of them..... a lot of them. Shame too. It doesn't take much to make a smile.

I smile a lot. Life is a happy place when there are smiles thrown in. I'm glad you make the most of life.

Your stories are a real blessing! Keep 'em coming! Donna

Bob ~~~

I was thinking the same thing the other day. People are rude. I remember a day when they were not.

I think we have done a dis-service to the world by not encouraging the simple "hello" good-bye" "please"

thank you" in the conversation of every one. We have failed as a society in many many ways and civility is a major area.

I have had to teach friends children these words. Hey is not a greeting! I wonder if people are just

responding the way that they have always been spoken to?

I call my family "my sweetie petitey" all the time - - means "my small sweetheart" and they love it -

terms of endearment... missing in a rude world - - Oh Lord have mercy on our souls.

Fran

Dear Bob,

You always brighten my day! Civil, most do not know what it means. Keep up the great writings. So

sorry about Keith's not going to be a father, God does control everything and maybe this is not what

He has in mind for them, at least not at this time. We will continue to pray for them.

Have a blessed night and a wonderful weekend.

Beulah

Hi Bob - It is very sad that so many people don't realize how much easier and more pleasant life

would be with a little friendliness thrown in as long as it is accompanied by sincerity which comes

from within. It is so much easier to be happy than to be sad. Happiness is effortless. Misery is

drudgery. To be civil is so easy. To be more than that just requires a little effort for some but comes

so naturally to others. I am very innocent in that I can't even fathom feeling anything but friendliness

and love for others. Or maybe I am very fortunate for feeling that way. We can choose the path we

want to take in life. It is up to each individual to decide what is important to them. Nancy

Dear Bob:

I love your columns! Especially your latest on civility. Yes, that is what our world needs more of, I agree.

I am a busy mother of 4 and grandmother to two young boys (3 and 20 months). Yesterday as my

father and youngest grandson and I waited in our local DMV (Dept. of Motor Vehicles) for a title, tag and

registration change, I was told to "maintain control" of my grandson. I was amused!! Let that security

guard try that!! Justice in 26 lbs. of unbridled energy, a dynamo, and there's no stopping him! Everything

he does is at breakneck speed nowadays.... All he was doing was laughing delightedly at life, finding joy

in, well, just everything as a new discovery, a present to be unwrapped. Why can't we all be like that?! I

suppose that the employee was just doing his job, but it is one I would never wish to have....(Maybe he has

no children, sadly. Or maybe he dislikes them.) The woman at the counter smiled as I scooped him up to

go then, and said the usual, "You sure have your hands full!" to which I responded, "Full of joy!" which made

his great-grandfather cry, and touched my heart.

Love, Life & Laughter,
DawnRose

Bob,

Very good points for thinking here! It does tend to take people off guard when you smile

at them and ask how they are. Is it okay if I forward your poem around? With your name on it, of course.

Keep on writing! You are a blessing.

Diana

Dear Bob,

Your story is so true. Observing people I have made comments to friends
and family that people seem to be so rude very often. But I have this
friend and every time we speak I ask how he is. His reply is almost always
'Flawless in every detail'. We both laugh and conversation starts in a
cheery mood. Hope you have a great day, flawless in every detail!

Melinda

Bob, my immediate thought about the lady handing out cups of pasta at the store was that she is a sad soul and

I said a prayer for her. There are lots of sad souls out there and it's easy to slip there. Thanks for your story.

I'm sorry she was rude to you.

Susanne Wiora

Dear Bob,

Your message today made me smile. I'm excellent today, too. Another day - God given, a husband who

loves me, a healthy family, it's beautiful outside. Many more blessings too numerous to list. What more

could I ask? I'm one of those people who usually has a smile on my face. I work at a place where people

say "good morning" to each other before launching into what is going on with the job or their lives.

So, "HELLO" to you and Marianne. And a warm handshake and big hug from California!

Blessings,

Charlene

Thank you Bob, I am very very well. Thank you for asking.
Make it a GREAT day

Blessings,
Jim Grothaus

Hello Bob and Marianne,

How are YOU today? I'm greaaat! Be blessed.

I BELIEVE IN YOU!!

Shirley

Oh my, Bob, where do you live????

Here in Canada's capital at least, most people are still very friendly and obliging, certainly in business -

or they wouldn't have a job for very long.

I often like to tease or joke with passersby - and they always react very positively (at least so far - haha).

I guess I won't do that in your hometown, eh?

Anyhow - don't give up, keep being friendly and

"I wish you enough" as well.

Warmest greetings to Marianne.

Claus

"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."