I got home from the hospital on Wednesday morning and am recovering at home very nicely. I was out for a couple of short walks yesterday and again today. I'm obviously not hitting on all 8 cylinders yet, but I'm on my way. Thank you all for your prayers. The doctor said it was the smoothest and cleanest procedure he's ever done. He specializes in gastric bypass surgery.

Bob

 I have Multiple Sclerosis. It has been my companion and teacher for well over 30 years. I detest its imposition into my life, yet I welcome it??™s awaking of my determination and perseverance. I appreciate its lessons of humanity in strangers, friends and loved ones, especially the children.

Small children are one of my favorite examples of goodness in this world. They stare with curiosity at my three wheel motorized cart and ask point blank, ???What is that, why do you have to ride on that, can I ride it? ???  Some parents excuse their child??™s curiosity with apologies others ignore the normal inquisitiveness of their off spring all together. Others use the opportunity to inform their child about the hardships of others and strike up a conversation. I love the latter. Often it is a child who holds a door open for me. I always try to praise them for their kindness and thoughtfulness.

A child and adults too for that matter are curious when they encounter someone different from themselves. I much prefer honest questions from the inquisitive, it gives me the opportunity to educate and inform not to mention my desire to converse.

???Can you walk???? often a youngster will ask. What honesty and interest lies within the mind of a child. We all as adults would have to admit those and other questions cross our mind when we see like situations. But often we pass on by, too embarrassed to ask, uninterested or oblivious to the person or situation.

My body may not posses the abilities it once had but my mind is in tact and my spirit still soars. I still dream though I??™m sixty. I??™m still adventurous; I fly in an aerobatic glider. I still believe in God and do not blame Him for this imposition. I??™m still inquisitive and desire learning; I surf the net, read and venture out. I??™m not all that I used to be, but in some ways I??™m more.

MS has taught me compassion and endurance; it has deepened my faith. It has showed me the love and compassion in others. Patience is still not my virtue but I??™ve come along way. I??™ve learned new ways of doing what at first seemed impossible. Everyone has problems I??™ve found, they are just different.

My grandchildren will never remember me as the vibrant active person I once was but they will know what it??™s like to ride in a wheelchair or a three-wheel motorized scooter. . They love rides around the block. My Lucite canes carry permanent scratches from their playing with them.

My first grandchild, the daughter of my first-born son in all her innocents at three, took my hand and asked; ???You walk??™n better grand-maw???? Those were the early years of the worsening of the disease when my abilities varied. She was offering to help as she held my hand and wondering if today was any better than the day before. Today as a high school student she is still as compassionate and understanding as ever.

Children often times are ignored or admonished when they should be admired. They can teach us much in the dealing with adversities. Watch a child who has disabilities; they adjust. Watch a child as they relate to someone with disabilities; they??™re inquisitive, compassionate and not afraid to converse. I for one am thankful for children.

I continue to live and enjoy life the best that I can. Children have taught me much. ???Hey, you can??™t walk but you??™ve got a neat set of wheels.???  I like their attitude! They make my life more fun. Look into the eyes of a child; perhaps you too will see the reflection of God.

---------------------------------------------

My name is Betty King; I live in Phoenix AZ. with my husband Bill. MS has been a presence in my body for at least 35 years. I have truly found that when God closes a door He opens a window. When some of my desires and abilities were taken from me, he gave me the desire to write; I have and I do write about my life??™s experiences and have been fortunate enough to see several of them published.

I have been published in magazines, newsletters, newspapers, several internet sites including Starfish, Heartwarmers, Petwarmers, Warm Fussy Stories and 2TheHeart, etc. I have signed a contract with Chicken Soup for the Soul and have a story coming out in Red Rock Press Book of Faith. You have also asked permission to print my writing, If Only Life Could Be Lived in Reverse.

Betty King   (c) 1/5/02
baking2 @ msn.com

Re:  The Sound of Love 

I loved your story, Jennifer   as I too have r ead Roger Kiser's story "Orphan".  I have also battled the demons of my past but I always  end up thanking God for sending me my husband who is my very own guardian angel. Thank you for sharing.
Nanci Stroupe

Re: Step Babies 

Our family too faced a similar situation.  My 10 year old son was quite upset at the idea of a "brother".  He felt he wouldn't matter any more to his step dad.   Now 23 years later guess who was the best man for "little brother". 
Donna B.

Re:  Information about Windows XP Service Pack 2

Thanks for the information concerning Windows XP.....have not downloaded it because some of my friends have and have had NUMEROUS problems......like mega work on their computers.  Thanks for sharing this information with us.  Each communication from you just measures what a super guy you are.
Carol M. 

Re: Special Thoughts

Bob,
An act of kindness, an act of love, may be the spark that is needed when all else doesn't work. That was great story by Caris Lauda.
Bill

Re: Sassafras, by Loren Moore 

Loren,

Such an enjoyable read; warm memories to be sure.

Women with Heart has a new addition called "Home, Heart, and Family."  You might be interested in visiting us and checking that out.
God bless -
Lori Anton

Re: World Situation, A Letter to My Sons (Retired attorney)

Although this article claims no liberal or republican bias it is blatantly republican trying to understand why those that are not could think the way they do.  Pro Bush, Pro war, Pro retaliation. 

Carol Roach

--- --- --- --- --- ---
Bob - Thoughts and prayers are with you as you prepare for your hospital stay and surgery.  God bless you and keep His hand on you. 

Thank you for this tremendously insightful and well-written "letter" in today's Starfish.
Yours -
Lori Anton

--- --- --- --- --- ---

Bob, I was so touched by this issue of Starfish.  I sent my letter to Target.  I do hope it will help.  Taking away the bell ringer is like taking away a tradition - a Christmas tradition - one that causes each of us to think a little bit more of giving and forgetting ourselves.

Below is an introduction I wrote for my weekly Blueprint4Living Newsletter in Dec. 2001that will express my feelings somewhat about the Bell Ringers.

Merry Christmas, dear friends. I hope you all love Christmas. I love everything about it and especially the way Christmas seems to soften hearts and turns each of us from ourselves and have more concern for others. I love the miracles of Christmas. Look around, what is different ? Are you seeing kindness extended in areas you haven??™t noticed before. I love the light in children??™s eyes, I love the joy I see on grown-ups faces when they stop long enough from the mundane to truly notice, and feel the excitement of Christmas. I love the bell ringer who stands in the cold, ringing the bell to remind each of us to forget ourselves and think of another.

My daughter in-law and my 2 year old grandson and I were approaching a store to do some Christmas shopping when Mary, his mother reached into her purse to give him some money to put into the pot by the bell ringer. As instructed, when we approached the bell ringer, he placed his money in the designated spot. As he drew his hand back, the kind lady thanked him and then asked if he would like to ring the bell. His eyes lit up and with a big wide smile, he grasped the bell and began to shake it, turning from side to side, looking at each person who came near. It was easy to see he wanted everyone to see and hear the bell. Perhaps this was a small act of kindness from the bell ringer but a giant impression was made on a special two year old, named Wyatt. 

Thanks for the information, Bob.
Dorothy Casper

---  --- --- --- --- ---

What a shame the author is "unknown."  This simply says it all and makes one proud to be an American!

Kathy Baker