Larry's Bits and Pieces

Thoughts

• There is no greater challenge than to surpass one's self.
• A hundred years from now - It will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove . . . . But the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child.
• No one is a failure who is enjoying life.
• GOD, grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can and the Wisdom to know the difference.
• A problem is nothing more than a wake-up call for creativity.
• You are a loser only when you fail to try.
• If you only do what you have always done, you'll only have what you have now.
• We are each of us angels with only one wing, and we can only fly by embracing one another.

^^^^^ ^^^^^ God Made Secret Friends ^^^^^ ^^^^^

It isn't a secret to God

Why you're so special,

And though I can't tell you

Who I am ... God knows.

You're in my thoughts,

You're in my prayers,

You're in my heart ...

And in his also !

May your day be brighter and

Your load lighter today,

Just knowing God and your

Secret friend both care !

All I Ever Really Needed to Know

I Learned in Kindergarten

Most of what I really need to know about how to live, and what to do, and how to be, I learned in kindergarten. Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate school mountain but there in the sandbox at nursery school.

These are the things I learned: Share everything. Play fair. Don't hit people. Put things back where you found them. Clean up your own mess. Don't take things that aren't yours. Say your sorry when you hurt somebody. Wash your hands before you eat. Flush. Warm cookies and milk are good for you. Live a balanced life. Learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some.

Take a nap every afternoon. When you go out into the world, watch for traffic, hold hands and stick together. Be aware of wonder. Remember the little seed in the plastic cup. The roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows how or why, but we are all like that.

Goldfish and hamsters and white mice and even the little seed in the plastic cup -- they all die. So do we.

And then remember the book about Dick and Jane and the first word you learned, the biggest word of all : LOOK. Everything you need to know is in there somewhere. The Golden Rule and love and basic sanitation. Ecology and politics and sane living.

Think of what a better world it would be if we all -- the whole world -- had cookies and milk about 3 o'clock every afternoon and then lay down with our blankets for a nap. Or if we had a basic policy in our nation and other nations to always put things back where we found them and cleaned up our own messes. And it is still true, no matter how old you are, when you go out into the world, it is best to hold hands and stick together.

101 Ways to Praise a Child

Wow - Way to go - You're special - Outstanding - Excellent - Great - Good - Neat - Well done - Remarkable - I knew you could do it - I'm proud of you - Super star - Nice work - Looking good - You're on top of it - You're catching on Now you've got it - How smart - Good job - That's incredible - Hot dog - Remarkable job - You're beautiful - You're a winner - You make me happy - Hip hip hooray - You're important - Magnificent - Beautiful - Fantastic - You're on target - You're on your way - How nice - You're Spectacular - You're darling - Super - Super job - Beautiful work - Good for you - Nothing can stop you now - Dynamite - You're fantastic - Awesome - You're precious - Fantastic job - You've discovered the secret - Bingo - Great discovery - You are responsible - You are exciting - You are fun - you're a real trooper - Marvelous - Terrific - You're growing up - Outstanding performance - You tried hard - You figured it out What a good listener - You're a treasure - You mean a lot to me - You're a good friend - That's correct - A big hug - What an imagination - You learned it right - You're incredible - Now you're flying - Bravo - Beautiful - I like you - I respect you - You're sensational - Phenomenal - A+ job - Hooray for you - You're unique You care - Creative job - You belong - You brighten my day - Super work - That's the best - You made my day - Say I love you - Beautiful sharing - You mean the world to me - You're important - You've got a friend - You're a joy - You make me laugh - You're a-OK my buddy - I trust you - You're perfect - You're wonderful - A big kiss - Exceptional performance - P.S. Remember, a smile is worth 1000 words.

Jokes

• I'm not losing my mind, it's backed up on disk somewhere.
• I still miss my ex, but my aim is improving.
• It's not the pace of life that concerns me, it's the sudden stop at the end.
• The only time the world beats a path to your door is if you're in the bathroom.
• Health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die.
• It's not hard to meet expenses....they're everywhere.

How to know you are growing older

• Everything hurts and what doesn’t hurt, doesn’t work.
• The gleam in your eye is from the sun hitting your bifocals.
• You feel like the night before and you haven’t been anywhere.
• Your little black book contains only names ending in MD.
• You get winded playing cards.
• Your children begin to look middle aged.
• You join a health club and don’t go.
• A dripping faucet causes an uncontrollable bladder urge.
• You know all the answers, but nobody asks you the questions.
• You look forward to a dull evening.
• You need glasses to find your glasses.
• You turn out the lights for economic rather than romantic reasons.
• You sit in a rocking chair and can’t get it going.
• Your knees buckle but your belt won’t.
• Your back goes out more than you do.
• You have too much room in the house and not enough in the medicine cabinet.
• You sink your teeth into a steak and they stay there.
• You are wondering why more people aren’t using this size print

  ---

  10 COMMANDMENTS FOR REDUCING STRESS

  1. Thou Shalt Not Be Perfect, Or Even Try To Be.

  2. Thou Shalt Not Try To Be All Things To All People.

  3. Thou Shalt Sometimes Leave Things Undone That Ought To Be Done.

  4. Thou Shalt Not Spread Thyself Too Thinly.

  5. Thou Shalt Learn To Say No.

  6. Thou Shalt Schedule Time For Thyself And For The Supportive Network.

  7. Thou Shalt Switch Off And Do Nothing Regularly.

  8. Thou Shalt Be Boring, Untidy, Inelegant, And Unattractive At Times.

  9. Thou Shalt Not Even Feel Guilty.

  10. Especially, Thou Shalt Not Be Thine Own Worst Enemy But Be Thine Own Best Friend.

Toddler’s Creed

If I want it, It’s mine.

If I give it to you and change my mind later, It’s mine.

If I take if away from you, it’s mine.

If I had it a little while ago, it’s mine.

If it’s mine, it will never belong to anybody else, no matter what.

If we are all building something together, all the pieces are mine.

If it looks just like mine, It is mine.

---

Top 15 best things to say if you get caught sleeping at your desk:

15. "They told me at the blood bank this might happen."

14. "This is just a 15 minute power-nap like they raved about in the last time management course you sent me to."

13. "Whew! Guess I left the top off the liquid paper"

12. "I wasn't sleeping! I was meditating on the mission statement and envisioning a new paradigm!"

11. "This is one of the seven habits of highly effective people !"

10. "I was testing the keyboard for drool resistance"

9. "Actually doing a "Stress Level Elimination Exercise Plan" (SLEEP) you learned at the last mandatory seminar you made me attend.

8. "I was doing a highly specific Yoga exercise to relieve work-related stress. Are you discriminatory towards people who practice Yoga?"

7. "Darn! Why did you interrupt me? I had almost figured out a solution to our biggest problem."

6. "The coffee machine is broken...."

5. "Someone must've put decaf in the wrong pot."

4. "Boy, that cold medicine I took last night just won't wear off!"

3. "Ah, the unique and unpredictable circadian rhythms of the workaholic!"

2. "Wasn't sleeping. Was trying to pick up contact lens without hands."

And the #1 best thing to say if you get caught sleeping at your desk:

1. "Amen"

---

Dr. Seuss Explains Computers

If a packet hits a pocket on a socket on a port,

and the bus is interrupted as a very last resort,

and the address of the memory makes your floppy disk abort,

then the socket packet pocket has an error to report.

If your cursor finds a menu item followed by a dash,

and the double-clicking icon puts your window in the trash,

and your data is corrupted 'cause the index doesn't hash,

then your situation's hopeless and your system's gonna crash!

If the label on the cable on the table at your house,

says the network is connected to the button on your mouse,

but your packets want to tunnel on another protocol,

that's repeatedly rejected by the printer down the hall,

and your screen is all distorted by the side effects of gauss,

so your icons in the window are as wavy as a souse,

then you may as well reboot and go out with a big bang,

'cause as sure as I'm a poet, the sucker's gonna hang!

When the copy of your floppy's getting sloppy on the disk,

and the microcode instructions cause unnecessary risk,

then you have to flash your memory and you'll want to RAM your ROM.

Quickly turn off the computer and be sure to tell your mom.

---

These are examples of why I think God loves kids so much! Actual prayers of children!

Dear God,

I didn't think orange went with purple until I saw the sunset you made on Tuesday. That was cool!

Eugene

Dear God,

Did you mean for the giraffe to look like that or was it an accident?

Norma

Dear God,

Instead of letting people die and having to make new ones, why don't you just keep the ones you have now?

Jane

Dear God,

Who draws the lines around the countries?

Nan

Dear God,

I went to this wedding and they kissed right in church. Is that okay?

Neil

Dear God,

Thank you for my baby brother, but what I prayed for was a puppy.

Joyce

Dear God,

It rained for our whole vacation and is my father mad! He said some things about you that we are not supposed to say, but I hope you will not hurt him anyway.

Your friend, (but I am not going to tell you who I am)

Dear God,

Please send me a pony. I never asked for anything before, you can look it up.

Bruce

Dear God,

I want to be just like daddy when I get big, but not with so much hair all over.

Sam

Dear God,

I think about you sometimes, even when I’m not praying.

Elliott

Dear God,

I bet it is very hard for you to love all the people in the world.

There are only four people in our family and I can never do it.

Dan

Dear God,

Of all the people who worked for you, I like Noah and David the best.

Rob

Dear God,

My brothers told me about being born, but it doesn't sound right. They

are just kidding, aren't they?

Marsha

Dear God,

If you watch me in church Sunday, I'll show you my new shoes.

Mickey

Dear God,

We read Thomas Edison made light. But in Sunday school, we learned that you did it. So I bet he stole your idea.

Sincerely Donna

Dear God,

I do not think anybody could be a better God. And, I'm not just saying this because you are God already.

Charles

Dear God,

Maybe Cain and Abel would not kill each other so much if they had their own rooms. It works with my brother.

Larry

I received this award from S.T.R.I.D.E. for creating and maintaining the S.T.R.I.D.E. Home Page

Our Lives are Like a Book Our lives are like a book Turning the pages of a new day. Each page we turn together In our own loving way. This book will never end As long as love exists. Each chapter is created With a love that so insists. We read it everyday And learn something new. Every word will be ours Every sentence... me and you. Our love will grow As will this book of ours. Every page, a thought. Every thought, Years, months, weeks, and hours... Dedicated to My Love		Prejudices I have spent each and every day Facing prejudices of our times. People use their hateful words to break this heart of mine. To them it's more important to be cruel and just fit in. Than really get to know me as the person I am within. I am not dumb or stupid just because I'm sitting down. I am not hard of hearing or blind or one that is home bound. People look at me with fear most do not understand. That the looks the stares and the words do cause a hurtful tear. Some may call me different I call myself unique. For those who do not see it their opinions they should keep. By Michelle Gagnon
My Flower One flower came into my life And with it offered me happiness. I haven’t let it fade, and beautiful flowers Have grown near by to give even more happiness Day by day. If my flower should wilt, my heart and soul shall die with it. By Larry Gagnon

If I Knew it would be the Last Time

	Good night and sweet dreams, The angels of God will cradle your soul and watch over you as you sleep, Peaceful sleep, And in the morning your eyes will twinkle of angel dust and your hair of heavenly dew. By Larry Gagnon

Angels When Angels sense you need them And Angels always do. They come, unseen, from everywhere To help and comfort you. They hover close beside you Till all your cares are gone Till they can see you’re ready Once again to carry on. Then some of them may fly away And take their gentle touch To other hearts that need The love of Angels very much. But one, at least, stays with you As your constant friend and guide, For GUARDIAN ANGELS never leave They’re always at your side..

My Guardian Angel As a child, there was no doubt in my mind that an Angel watched over me. I felt Her presence continually and knew to listen for Her guidance.I have long since grown, and throughout my life Ihave continued to know She is with me always. Her presence is a source of great comfort to me. Many times, over the years, I have felt Her sadness when I ignored Her guidance in making some of my lifes choices.Additionally, many, many times,over the years, I experienced Her intervention when willfulness or carelessness placed me in harms way. Though, in living,each of us must accept our full measure of loses and sorrows, injuries and pain, ultimately, your gift of life is yours to do with as you choose. My prayer for each of you has always been and will always be ~as you experience your blessing of life, I pray for you to give your Angel charge and allow your heart to see the miracles surrounding you!

Death of an Innocent

I went to a party, Mom, I remembered what you said.

You told me not to drink, Mom, so I drank soda instead.

I really felt proud inside, Mom, the way you said I would.

I didn't drink and drive, Mom, even though the others said I should.

I know I did the right thing, Mom, I know you are always right.

Now the party is finally ending, Mom, as everyone is driving out of sight.

As I got into my car, Mom, I knew I'd get home in one piece. Because of the

way you raised me, so responsible and sweet. I started to drive away, Mom,

but as I pulled out into the road, the other car didn't see me, Mom, and hit

me like a load. As I lay there on the pavement, Mom, I hear the policeman

say, the other guy is drunk, Mom, and now I'm the one who will pay. I'm

lying here dying, Mom. I wish you'd get here soon.

How could this happen to me, Mom? My life just burst like a balloon.

There is blood all around me, Mom, and most of it is mine.

I hear the medic say, Mom, I'll die in a short time.

I just wanted to tell you, Mom, I swear I didn't drink.

It was the others, Mom. The others didn't think.

He was probably at the same party as I.

The only difference is, he drank and I will die.

Why do people drink, Mom? It can ruin your whole life.

I'm feeling sharp pains now. Pains just like a knife.

The guy who hit me is walking, Mom, and I don't think it's fair.

I'm lying here dying and all he can do is stare.

Tell my brother not to cry, Mom. Tell Daddy to be brave.

And when I go to heaven, Mom, put "Daddy's Girl" on my grave

Someone should have told him,Mom, not to drink and drive.

If only they had told him, Mom, I would still be alive.

My breath is getting shorter, Mom. I'm becoming very scared.

Please don't cry for me, Mom. When I needed you, you were always there.

I have one last question, Mom, before I say good bye.

I didn't drink and drive, so why am I the one to die?

Given to me in November of '96 by a Friend

This is the true Story of an Girl that died during a Car Accident with a Drunk Driver, she was on her way Home from her Prom Party. Please help not to let things like that happen again, don’t drink and drive and don’t let anybody you know drink and drive. And be careful when you out on the Road.... you never know who might be drunk and driving.

THE SPECIAL MOTHER

Most women become mothers by accident, some by choice, a few by social pressures and a couple by habit. This year nearly 100,000 women will become mothers of handicapped children. Did you ever wonder how these mothers are chosen?

Sometimes I visualize God hovering over earth, selecting his instruments for propagation with great care and deliberation. As he observes, he instructs his Angels to take notes in a giant ledger.

"Armstrong, Beth, Son, Patron Saint, Matthew."

"Forest, Marjorie, Daughter, Patron Saint, Cecelia."

"Rutledge, Carrie, Twins, Patron Saint…give her Gerard, he’s used to profanity."

Finally he passes a name to an Angel and smiles. "Give her a handicapped child."

The Angel is curious, "Why this one God? She’s so happy."

"Exactly, could I give a handicapped child to a mother who doesn’t know laughter? That would be cruel."

"But does she have patience?" asks the Angel.

"I don’t want her to have too much patience or she’ll drown in self pity and despair. Once the shock and resentment wear off, she’ll handle it. I watched her today. She has that sense of independence so rare and so necessary in a mother. You see, the child I’m going to give her has his own world. She has to make him live in her world and that’s not going to be easy."

"But Lord, I don’t think she even believes in you."

God smiles, "No matter. I can fix that. This one is perfect. She has just enough selfishness."

The Angel gasps, "Selfishness? Is that a virtue?"

God nods, "If she can’t separate herself from the child occasionally, she’ll never survive. Yes, here is a woman who I’ll bless with a child less than perfect. She doesn’t realize it yet, but she is to be envied."

"She will never take for granted a spoken word. She will never consider a step ordinary. When her child says "Mama" for the first time, she will be a witness to a miracle and know it. When she describes a tree or a sunset to her blind child, she will see it as few people see my creations."

"I will permit her to see clearly the things I see – ignorance, cruelty, prejudice – and allow her to rise above them. She will never be alone. I will be by her side every minute of every day of her life, because she is doing my work as surely as she is here by my side."

"And what about her Patron Saint?" asks the Angel, his pen poised in mid air.

God smiles, "A mirror will suffice."

When God Made Fathers

God worked throughout the night, giving the father few words, but a firm authoritative voice, eyes that saw everything, yet remained calm and tolerant. Finally... almost as an afterthought, God added tears. Then he turned to the angel and said, "Now, are you satisfied he can love as much as a mother?"

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This page was last updated on 07/08/04

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