Laugh




	WRITE 2 THE HEART Stories that are aimed "Write 2 the Heart" May 11, 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 @ write2theheart.com. 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. How we respond to various situations in life is our choice. Do we get angry and explode, making the people around us miserable? Or can we learn to laugh? I agree with Janet and Rachel, I choose to laugh. I Choose to Laugh By Janet Seever Awakened by the phone ringing at 11:35 p.m., I fumble for the receiver beside my bed. Who would be calling at this time of night? "Hello," I mumble. "Mom, I'm not in jail" The voice at the other end belongs to my 21-year-old daughter, Rachel. "What?" My heart is beginning to race. "I'm not actually. I'm fine. It's my car." "What's the matter?" "My car was impounded. I found out that since it's registered in your name, you have to be the one to get it out." I knew earlier in the day that her car had been towed and she had been trying to locate it. Now she was at the city car impoundment lot that closed at midnight, or so I thought. It's located in the industrial area of a city of 900,000 people. I wasn't at all familiar with that part of the city and I avoid even in daylight. Travel it alone at night? Certainly not. I awaken my husband, explaining the situation. Fortunately his concern for our daughter wins out over his disgust at being awakened. The two of us drive down the darkened streets together. "I hope some day that she will believe the signs she reads," I say wistfully. She parked in the half-empty parking lot of an apartment building to visit a friend this morning and ended up visiting for three hours. She ignored the sign that said 'unauthorized vehicles will be towed at the owner's expense' A college student, Rachel had a penchant for parking in unauthorized places in the cramped lots at school, but this was her first towing experience. When we arrive at the impoundment lot, Rachel and her room- mate are waiting for us and are in a good mood. In fact, she got me laughing too. The woman at the desk stares at us in disbelief. No doubt she had seen a good many confrontations between angry parents and children in similar situations. "Why are you laughing?" I ask. "It was a choice between crying and laughing" Rachel says. "I choose to laugh." "And why did you wait until 11:30 to pick up your car?" I ask. She explains that although she had gotten off work at 8 p.m., she had chosen to watch her favorite T.V. program at 10 p.m. as a way to de-stress before she and her friend left in search of her car. All it takes is my husband's drivers license for identification, and she was free to take her rusted 1991 Chevy Sprint home. She still had a hefty fee to pay, but that's now her problem. As my husband and I drive home, a little short of sleep, I think of other parents who get phone calls in the night from their children who really are in jail, or from police reporting that their child was in an accident, or worse. A jailed car is trivial in comparison. So many things in life are irritating, annoying, and inconvenient at the time, but are of no lasting consequences. I think my daughter's philosophy is a good one. I, too, choose to laugh. © Janet Seever 2004 jseever1 @ shaw.ca The mother of two adult children, Janet Seever lives in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, with her husband, Dennis. She writes for ‘Word Alive’ magazine and has had articles published previously in magazines and on the Web. You can reach her at: jseever1@ shaw.ca or read more of her writing at www.inscribe.org/janetseever 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. Write 2 the Heart now has an affiliate program with Cognigen. They have several long distance plans to chose from; I personally use the PowerNet Global 4.5¢ Per Minute Plan. I love having my own toll free number for my family to be able to call home when they are out of town. I have used it more times than I care to remember over the last three years in emergency situations. Cognigen has more than just great long distance rates; they have calling cards, internet access, web hosting services and much more. You can check out all of their telecommunication products and services at http://ld.net/?cbspeir. Letters From Our Readers Dear Cheryl, Thanks so much for the bookmarks and pins that arrived last week. I'm so glad you were able to use my stories. I'm thrilled whenever the Lord uses me and my stories to bless other people. Blessings, Janet Seever Laura Lowe has lived such a rich and diverse life. Her stories always tug at my heartstrings. Her stories are like reading Little House on the Prairie, but southern style. I really enjoy her peeks into the past. Keep up the good work. Jean W. 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 Thaddeaus Todd Holland Graham William Julie Sagel Jessie Marshal Thompson Jason Eric Hernandez Kristin Danielson Ken Prieur Ryan Jonathan P. Wells Larry Miele Daniel Amy John Joanne Gary Boardwine Josh Hadassah 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. Cheryl’s Corner My Mother’s Day weekend started out on a bright note, with all of the boys coming home. But, Saturday afternoon, a dark cloud was cast over it. Tim received the call that we knew would come sooner or later. He is now officially on alert. The caller would not give him any details as to when they are leaving or where they are going. He had to leave right then and drive home to make sure all of his gear was together and ready to leave at a moments notice. His main concern was that he had two final exams to take this week in order to be finished with this semester of college. Since the last one was today and he has not heard any more, I know he is relieved. When I heard the news, all I could do was hug him. I told him that the one good thing I could think of was that God could and would protect him no matter where he was. Of course I have all of the motherly worries and concerns. But I hang on to the fact that his two older brothers prayed Tim into existence when they were very small. This tells me that God had His hand on him even before he was placed in my womb. This knowledge gives me comfort, hope, and faith. May God bless each of you my friends. Cheryl 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.