{Straight From the Heart} *Serious Business* 1/19/00
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Serious Business
By: Ryan Hoover
Let me take you back a couple years. Come with me as we relearn a
lesson; one that has stuck with me, in my present memory, and inspires
me yet. I don't remember exact conversation, but bear with me as I
supply something that would sound normal.
We walk into Elida Road Hardware. An old fashioned hardware store.
No automatic door, not a computer in the building. Nothing unusual
about the day, or the fact that we go to that store. It is one that
I go to fairly often. As we enter the door, two sounds greet us.
The sleigh bells of yesteryear, the ones that make that sweet, peaceful
tinkle as we open the door. The other sound is the electronic beeper
that alerts Andy of our presence.
"Good afternoon, Ryan," comes the cheerful acknowledgment.
Andy Bianco is a very friendly sort of proprietor. He is of medium
build and height, we'll say about 50, and the smile on his face
welcomes us. We walk across the old wood floor -- destitute of stain
or varnish, and worn smooth -- with its squeaky spots, and uneven
joints. Andy asks us what he can help us with. I tell him we are
looking for a spring. He very patiently replies "I carry lots of
springs, you're going to need to be more specific."
"Beats me what they're called; just a spring for an old-fashioned
screen door."
"That's it. A screen door spring. Right down there." We turn to where
he is pointing, and sure enough, there they are. Andy knows his
store, and his products. That's why I come here instead of Meijer.
The service can't be beat. The price, Yes. But service and
satisfaction; No. I pick up one and follow him to the counter. A
keg of peanuts sits beside the counter, and beside it, another
for the hulls. Let me know when Lowes does that. Covering the
counter is a piece of Plexiglas, and under it, all manner of
business cards.
"Hey got a card? Put one under here. Free advertising space."
"Thanks Andy, but I already have one. See, over here."
"Well, I'll be; you do."
He figures up the price, doing the math in his head. "$1.88,
with Uncle Sam's share comes to $1.99"
"Put it on Pop's account."
He nods and smiles, remembering that this is the third item this
week that received that verdict.
"Good ole' Pop's account." He chuckles. "I don't know what you
boys would do without Pop's account!"
He hands me the ticket and as I sign it I ask rhetorically,
"You really trust my signature?"
His reply startles, yet gladdens me. "When I can't trust Jerry
Hoover's boys; I can't trust nobody!"
We leave, and the brain immediately starts to forget things, in
order of importance. But what Andy Bianco said that day, rang in
my ears. And it rings in my ears today. That's a tall order to
live up to. It's a high standard of integrity. My father made a
reputation for that name, and I get to enjoy the benefits thereof.
But by the same token, I must maintain that reputation. And that's
serious business.
Ryan J. A. Hoover
rjahoover@juno.com
I am 16 and live in N.W. Ohio. I am going to finish school this
year. I come from a family of 6 children. Pop died 3 and a half
years ago, from V-fib. (Vetricle Fibrillation.) I work after school
as a trim carpenter. I enjoy writing, and love to read. God bless you!
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Can You Ever Love Me for Me?
Can you ever love me for me?
For the me that I am true and true
Can you love me with my imperfections?
Can you see me as I am and not as what you want me to be?
Can you ever love me for me?
For the me that makes mistakes and speaks without thinking
Can you love me even when I am unreasonable?
Can you see me as I am and not for the Angel you seek?
Can you ever love me for me?
For the me that cries when a stranger child is hurt
Can you love me when I am sad without me having a reason to be?
Can you see me as I am not as what I once was?
Can you ever love me for me?
June 1999 by Miriam Campo
************* A little about Miriam*************
Miriam lives in Miami, Florida with her husband Phil. She was born
in Cuba and migrated to the U.S. with her parents and two sisters
when she was six years old. She has lived in Miami ever since.
Miriam loves to write poetry and has also written several stories
about experiences in her life. If you would like to read more of
her poetry, you are invited to check out her webpage.
http://www.heartwarmers4u.com/members/?miry316
REQUEST:
From: sparrow@atlantic.net (June)
A REQUEST MY 80 YR. OLD SISTER NEEDS PRAYER.SHE HAD A STROKE
18 MONTHS AGO AND WAS DOING REAL GOOD UNTIL LAST WEEK. SHE HAD A
HEART ATTACK, WAS HOSPITALIZED FOR 4 DAYS AND WAS BEING
RELEASED TO GO HOME WHEN SHE HAD ANOTHER SMALL STROKE AND A HEART
ATTACK. THEY KEPT HER IN THE HOSPITAL AND THAT NIGHT SHE HAD A MASSIVE
STROKE. 1/7/00. SINCE THEN SHE HASN'T MOVED A MUSCLE OR BLINKED AN
EYE. I AM PRAYING FOR HIS WILL BE DONE. I DON'T WANT HER TO JUST LIE
THERE. IF SHE CAN'T GET WELL I AM PRAYING FOR HER RELEASE ON THIS
WORLD SO SHE CAN GO TO A MUCH BETTER PLACE.BUT I DON'T KNOW IF THAT
IS PROPER THING TO PRAY FOR. I AM SO CONFUSED. I DON'T THINK SHE IS
SUFFERING BUT HOW CAN WE TELL.SHE IS LOCKED IN A BODY THAT DON'T
RESPOND TO ANYTHING. PLEASE PRAY FOR HER IF YOU WILL. PRAY FOR ME
AND HER FAMILY ALSO.
THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS.
JUNE sparrow@atlantic.net
From: patty@lawtonok.net (Patty Patterson)
4-year-old Jasmine Tilton is suffering from terrible burns after
her dress caught fire Sunday morning. For more info (picture of the child, updates,
and where cards can be sent) go to:
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Ridge/7715/
And this one is from a friend of mine:
The daughter (Jessica) of the couple we went on vacation with just got
married two weeks ago and they just found out that he (Josh) has an incurable brain
illness and has seven to twelve months to live.
Thanks!
Patty
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Thought For The Day:
"Urgent things are seldom important. Important things are seldom urgent."
Verse for the Day:
"Every prudent man deals with knowledge."
Proverbs 13:16
Kid's Thought For The day:
"Silence can be an answer."
Parent's Thought For The Day
"The persons hardest to convince they're at the retirement age are
children at bedtime."
Coach's Thought For The Day
"Tact is rubbing out a teammate's mistake instead of rubbing it in."
Deep Thought For The Day:
"You have to watch out for yourself, because nobody else is
going to. Especially during dodgeball."
_
/_/\/\ MICHAEL T. POWERS
\_\ / THUNDER27@aol.com http://members.aol.com/Thunder27/index.html
/_/ \ "For I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but
\_\/\ \ Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body I live for the Son
\_\/ of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20
"I thought of you first after my family sat down to watch the video
we gave them. They loved it, to say the least! Within thirty
seconds my mom was crying and my dad did too. They said it was
the best Christmas gift we could have given them!! You did such
a beautiful job! They were so suprised and so touched---they
really, really, really loved it. Thanks for helping to make it so
special to us all. My mom mentioned how the songs were perfect for
the video too! Thanks again!"
Kelli (RKaGe@aol.com) College Station, TX
Let me make you a video from your pictures or home movies!
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Video Imagery
http://members.aol.com/Videoimg/index.html