Archives at Zinester: "How did I do?". "I Believe in You!".

Subject: "How did I do?" - September30, 2005

"I Believe in You!"

A message of Hope, stories from the road.

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Hello, my friend!

I have 4,521 "friends I've never met" on this list.?

I hope you are well and surrounded by love.

Fall has arrived with the sweet smell of pumpkin pie and a fresh pot of chili.? There's a chill in the air and I could only think of comfort food.? So, I made the chili and baked the pie.?

Thanks to those of you who found it in your heart to send along a message to my friend Mike.? 30 of them arrived today along with about 20 email messages from people too far away to get a note here in time.

On Monday I will deliver all? to him.? Perhaps I can talk him into letting me take a picture.? If so, I will share the moment with you next week.

In case you forgot, here's the link to the last message explaining everything:

Love always and all ways,

Bob and Marianne Perks

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Perks Pearl of Wisdom

"I'm in debt over my head.? Everything I have, everything I love, everything I am and everything I ever will be, I owe to God."? Bob Perks

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Today's Message:

"How did I do?"

By Bob Perks

The hospice I work with held a staff retreat in the woods again this year.? We played games, held competitions, and generally mixed and mingled with people we don't normally get to see.

We were? told to bring along a copy of our high school graduation picture.? They would place them on a poster for all to see.? You were asked to guess which picture belonged to whom.

This story isn't about the obvious.? I am not going to whine about the fact that I am white haired, balding and heavier, or that I don't look at all like that picture.

Okay, I just did.

I won't mention the fact that some of the people there looked just like their graduation picture because they are so young, it seems like they graduated yesterday.

Okay, I just did.

No, what this message is about is simply asking the question, "How did I do?"

You see, late the night before this event I had to crawl up into the attic to the farthest corner, in the very last box, under a few hundred tons of things we have collected along the way, to find that picture.

Okay, I'm still whining.

But wait, there is a more important point here.

Finally finding that box, I pulled it on top of all the other things, opened it and spent at least an hour looking through the past.

More specifically, the pictures of my friends from high school.?

Back in the "old days,"? (you'll note I didn't refer to it as the "Good" old days) we all had black and white photos? that we exchanged with classmates.? On the back you would write some punched out, kind words of praise and silliness in remembrance of the times we spent together.?

Turning them over one by one, I read their words once more.? Each held their own prediction of how I would do in life.

"To a great guy, who will go far in life."

"To a friend I will cherish forever.? You'll make it big with your band one day."

"To a kid who will go far in life.? You have a great personality and winning ways.? Look out world!"

"You'll be famous one day, Bobby!"

I stood there for a few minutes finally resting on boxes behind me.? One by one I held the pictures, turned them over and sighed.

I wish I could gather them all together in one place and give each of them a hug.? I'd like to know what I wrote to them on my photo and how they felt about it today.? I'd like to tell them how much they truly affected my life even to this day.

I think mostly I'd like to ask them "How did I do?"

For some who wrote glorious things about me, I'd like to apologize for not quite living up to their expectations.

We were the best of friends.? A few of the girls tickled my heart and they never knew it.? I had high hopes for a few of them? to rise above the peer pressures of high school and become more than most thought they could.

But me?? I'm still working on it.? Don't count me out yet, fellow? class mates.? ?

You see, life is a classroom and one day before my final school bell rings, I hope to see some of you from Wyoming Valley West class of 1968 and ask, "How did I do?"?

"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 from the author.

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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:? "White socks and slippers"

Bob,

I am so glad I am not the only one.? HA!? I'm not old in any meaning of
the word.? As the fall term began I told my wife I was taking a weight
training course, not because I felt I was out of shape but because I
have to for my degree plan ;) .? She said "What will you wear?"? I
pulled out a few t-shirts, my white socks & some comfortable shorts.?
She just shook her head... when I got home that night I found she'd
bought more "suitable clothing" for me.? Some new shorts, a new pair of
sneakers, and some ankle sox.? I held them up & said "these look like
large baby booties" she laughed at me and said I could not wear my
other white sox because I would look like her dad.? "What's wrong with
that?" I asked.? She said... "Rick he's 60 he can get away with it!"?
Ha!? I am glad that I don't care what others think of what I wear.? But
my wife does & it makes her happy (or at least she doesn't bother me
about it) if I wear the "work-out" clothes she bought me.? God bless
Bob!

Bob,

You made me laugh and cry with today's story. You made me think of my ex mother in law that I don't see anymore, because I don't get along with the rest of her family. She would wear men's black socks and slippers around the house. She's been ill and I've not called her because of the family rift, but did send my wishes with my girls when they visited her with their dad. Today I will send her flowers and bugger what the rest of the family thinks of me.

Marg Australia

Sheesh,Bob, if I had known that is an age modifier, I'd never wear them. But being 19 with 46 years experience, I say if you don't like my slippers and white socks, tuff! LOL You go Mr.Perks! You and Marianne are always in my prayers!

Hugs,

Sami

Hi Bob,

I just love that story!!!? It made me laugh and I needed that today.? Thanks and have a great week.? Hugs always and all ways to Marianne and you.?

Loretta

Oh Bob, YOU are so funny!? Old indeed.? Now Me_____________ I stick on a jacket over my T shirt so I don't have to put on my bra when I run to the store, but white socks and slippers are a must.? LOL!? ? Just think what you will be like when YOU get to be 71.? LOL!? I sure do love ya, my nutty friend.? ? Betty

RE:? "Because of him"

I'm happy that you had a George Bailey in your life, Bob!? ? ? Just wrote and will mail note to Mike tomorrow!

God bless you!!

Myrna

OK Bob the card or note will be in the mail first thing in the morning.? And the prayers are storming heaven too.

Hugs Loretta

Bob, I just wanted you to know I am mailing Mike's
letter today. When I read your message I felt your
pain intensely.? I understand what it can be like to
face losing someone who has has so much impact on your
life.? My closest friend/mentor/confidante of over 35
years died last Wednesday and I am absolutely
devastated. His name was Warren Smiley, (Smiley -
isn't that a GREAT name!!!) but everyone knew him as
Bud. While I am grieving his loss very deeply, I am
also so very thankful for all the lives he touched,
and for the deep friendship we shared. I know he truly
influenced who I am today, and like Mike did for you -
Bud believed in me- and so many others.? Literally
thousands of students, never mind friends, co-workers,
family..? If you'd like to look, check out the
messages written in his "book of condolences" on this
website:http://www.db-ancaster.ca/? Click on Smiley, (Sept
22)Warren "Bud" Edward and then read the book.
Bud was never one to want to be in the limelight, but
I know we talked about this a few times, and he always
hoped that his life work was meaningful. I wish he
could have read alot of the messages while he was
alive - and so I understand your urgency for Mike to
have that same blessing.
Thanks for "listening"
I'll see you in my prayers.
Cathie (Kate)

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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
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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."