Extra Days




	WRITE 2 THE HEART Stories that are aimed "Write 2 the Heart" June 8, 2004 Cheryl Speir, Editor, moderator @ write2theheart.com. Welcome to your latest issue of "Write 2 the Heart." All new subscribers will receive a free downloadable copy of the e- cookbook, "Write 2 the Heart of the Chocolate Lover." To join, send an e-mail with subscribe written in the subject line to: subscribe-me @ write2theheart.com. *Advertisement* Tired of high cable bills? You may want to consider Dish Network. Right now you get free installation and free equipment when you sign up for one year of programming. You can get more programming than what is offered by most cable companies for less. Compare what you now have with the Dish Network programming packages at: http://cognigen.net/dish/?cbspeir Do you have a heart-touching or inspiring story to share? Send it in the body of a plain email, no graphic or colorful back- grounds please. Write 'submission' in the subject line. Don't forget to write a brief bio to introduce yourself to our readers. You may include your family friendly websites, information on your books, newsletters, and upcoming projects. Email your submission to: moderator@write2theheart.com. We always love to hear stories from new, first time writers. Until the end of June, I have a writer’s appreciation gift of a bookmark and pin for each writer whose story appears in Write 2 the Heart. There is a limit of three per author. There will be a new appreciation gift offered in July. Philip survived a heart attack and his life has been forever changed. He has learned how to make the most of his days and to cherish his memories. One Thousand Extra Days By Philip Jones The day dawns when I realize the sun has risen more than 1,000 times since my heart attack. A thousand days added to a life that could easily have been ended by that 99% arterial blockage. Too often the sun is up and about before I am. With my leisurely schedule, I enjoy more sunsets than sunrises. One thousand extra days. One thousand extra nights. They have seen their share of ups and downs. I have experienced fear and frustration, as well as joy and satisfaction. Anxiety and loneliness have come my way, alternating with exhilaration and fellowship. Boredom and futility have touched my life, as have vigor and vitality, accomplishment and resolve. Pessimism has occasionally encroached upon the territory of its more optimistic rival. Painful hurts and warm memories ebb and flow in the swirling ocean of my mind. A special gift In some ways, life goes on much as it had during the preceding 22,000 days that had elapsed since my birth. But there is now a more acute awareness of the value of this special gift of life. A thousand bonus days. Undeserved but appreciated. Time is available for reading, relaxation and contemplation. Time to consider where I have been, where I am now, and where I may be headed. Time to learn from my mistakes. Time to heal. Time to write. Time to raise questions like this one: Do you occasionally take time to think about where you’ve been, where you are now, and where you may be headed? Photographic memories Various framed photographs adorn my office. My wife, Faye. My sons, Russell and Graham. Our dog, Chambo. These names are arranged in age sequence. Please do not ask me to list them in any kind of priority sequence! Here are my brothers and sisters, David and Eunice, Sheila and Mark. This picture was taken in the summer of 2000, on one particularly memorable occasion. We were all together for the first time in 25 years. During earlier visits to Britain, I had seen each of them many times, but not as a group. David is our host for dinner at a world- class hotel overlooking the ocean in Cardiff, Wales. This will be a costly treat. He’s the only wealthy one among us. For three of us, this is the city where we were born. This event marks the start of a most enjoyable vacation. Shortly before the heart attack. Special relationships Here’s another picture. Faye took this one in 1983. My mother, Eileen, and I are seated at the table in her home in Newport, Wales. We lingered and chatted for hours over what started out as breakfast. I was blessed with one more visit, in 1986, a few months before she died. This black and white photograph records an occasion when my grandfather, Harry Baker, took me to a sporting event at the Pontllanfraith Athletic Grounds. I kid you not. That is the name of the small town in the mining valleys of South Wales where my grandparents lived, where my mother spent her childhood years. I am about ten years old. The distinguished-looking gentleman is wearing a dark, three-piece suit with pin-striped pants, a dark, neatly-patterned tie, and a dark, formal hat. A folded pocket handkerchief protrudes tastefully from his suit-coat pocket. Across his buttoned vest hangs a chain attached to the pocket watch that rests in his vest pocket. All this for a sporting event. Casual clothing has not yet been invented. Time passes It comes as a bit of a shock to realize I am now about the same age as this elderly gentleman was on this occasion. Things sure have changed over the past 50 years. I myself am nowhere near being elderly. Not even close. I could not have wished for a better mother or a better grandfather. But I do wish they had lived longer. So many warm memories. We are still making memories, you and I . . . for a while. Life is short. Make good memories. Cherish those relationships that are closest to your heart. Philip Jones philip-jones @ shaw.ca Philip Jones is a motivational speaker and author based in Calgary, Canada. E-mail: philip-jones @ shaw.ca This article is an extract from his book, “How to Fit a Heart Attack into Your Busy Schedule! Humor, Wit and Wisdom For a Healthier Heart and a Happier Life.” http://www.filbertpublishing.com/heart.htm Also at Amazon.com and Walmart.com You are encouraged to write to the authors to let them know what you think of their story. Have a comment on today's story? Send it to: moderator @ write2theheart.com. Letters From Our Readers Shirley Cox's story was so touching. I lost my mother in 1997 to death but to Alzheimer's several years before that. I would wish that all of these stories would remind all who still have their mothers with them to cherish each day. Barbara Deming Author of "The Quilt Maker” Thank you for such a beautiful reminder ofmy own mom's phrases......and how I now tell them to my grandchildren, who if we're lucky, will continue to turn those phrasesto their children & grandchildren. Military Prayer Reminder As you read over this list of names, please take a moment to pray for these young people and their families: Chris Speir Tim Speir Alan Todd Holland Graham William Julie Sagel Jessie Marshal Thompson Jason Eric Hernandez Kristin Danielson Ken Prieur Ryan Larry Miele Daniel Amy John Joanne Gary Boardwine Josh Hadassah Chanz Wackerly Please continue to pray for our country, our leaders, and our troops at this time. If you have loved ones in the military, or who are being called to go overseas, send their names (first and last or first only) to be included in our prayer reminder. Advertisement** Imagine my surprise and dismay to open my e-mail program only to find over 1500 e-mails. (That is not a typo!) All of them were spam and each had a virus attached. I knew I had to do something to get a handle on this or I would be constantly swamped with spam and worried about accidentally opening a virus, trojan or a worm. I purchased MailWasher Pro. I can check and delete e-mail on the server before it hits my computer. It tells me if the e-mail is from a friend, a known spammer or has a possible virus. I love bouncing e-mails from spammers telling them they have the wrong address! Try it free for 30 days at: http://entier.ecosm.com/link/?wybyoww Copyright © 2004, Write 2 the Heart Nothing may be reproduced or published without the written permission of the individual author or copyright owner. All rights belong to the authors.