=======================
{SFTH} *Wilma's Bag* 3/13/01
========================
If you enjoy this free daily email service, I encourage you to
spread the word to family and friends that we may bring
inspiration into the lives of many! If you are not on the list
and this has been passed along to you, join us by sending
a blank email to: Thunder27@aol.com
I appreciate any feedback or constructive criticism, so feel free to
write me (Michael T. Powers) and let me know what you think!
Just joined us and want to see all the past stories we've run?
Visit our inspirational website at:
http://www.storiesfrommyheart.com
AOL Users click here: Straight From the Heart
==================================================
I wanted to share the following book review for you by talented writer Lynn Lombard.
Roger Dean Kiser's book, Orphan, is a must read! Roger has graced us
with many of his incredible stories in the past but his book says it all.
It touched my heart as it has with every other person who has read it. I
have written a book review on it and thought if any of your members
would like to take a look at it, they could view it at:
http://www.aristatech.com/k
You won't be sorry reading this powerful book.
-- Lynn M. Lombard <douglynn1@juno.com>
==================================================
Wilma's Bag
By Pamela R. Blaine
It was a cold winter's day when I first met her. She came into the waiting area of the automotive department at the mall where I was waiting for them to put new tires on our van. I watched her as she put down a large plastic bag that didn't seem to have very much in it. She took off her coat, hat, and gloves and immediately went to work. She was a woman with a purpose and knew exactly what she was doing as she poured the water for a fresh pot of coffee. Next, she began cleaning the counter, scrubbing it with a wet cloth and straightening up the room.
I commented on how nice she made the room look and she asked me if I would like a cup of coffee. "Sure," I said, "the coffee smells wonderful." Then I asked her how long she had worked there. "Oh honey," "I don't work here," she said. "I've gotten to know the folks here and I like to help them out." She explained, "It's just something I can do to make people smile and you never know, it just might make a difference."
"My name is Wilma," she said, "I've been retired for years." I also introduced myself to Wilma and she continued to tell me all about herself. It seems Wilma had lived several blocks from the mall in a trailer court since her husband died. She told me that she took the bus to the mall everyday and brought her plastic bag full of goodies. "Did you see Bill over at that desk?", she asked. "He just loves pretzels so I always put some of them in my bag for him. Now, Margie, over there at the drug store," she continued, "she's always so tired, she works two jobs, you know, and I just like to see her eyes light up when I bring her a Dr. Pepper." As Wilma talked on I discovered that she made the rounds everyday to many places in and around the mall where she brought cookies, candy, or whatever she had to the people that had become her friends.
"My son lives in Florida," Wilma explained, "he tells me that I shouldn't spend my money like this, but it's something I can do to make people smile and maybe it will make a difference," she said once again. "I went down there to Florida to visit my son," she smiled, "he wants me to stay there but he doesn't want me to go out alone and I'm just bored to death, but then I wouldn't want him to know that," Wilma laughed. "I have my friends here." "Why, just this morning, I stopped at the grocery store and I pushed all those carts inside for George." "He works there, you know, and he isn't getting any younger...must be at least 80 and he has to push all those carts inside by himself, so I helped him." (I had to smile to myself as I knew that Wilma couldn't be far from 80 herself)
"Do you ever enter contests?" Wilma asked. Before I could answer, she went on, "I always enter all the contests in the stores and sometimes I win," she said with excitement. "You know those life-sized cardboard figures you see in the stores?" Wilma asked, "Well, I won Patrick Swayze," she laughed, "and now I got him right in my living room!"
"Well," I winked at her, "just as long as you don't keep him in your bedroom." She threw up her hands at that and laughed harder than ever and then went on to tell me about some of the things she had won and shared with her friends. I told her what a nice thing that she was doing and again she said, "Oh, it's just something I can do to make people smile and you never know, it just might make a difference."
It was time for Wilma to catch her bus and my van was ready to go. Wilma's bag was about empty except for some M&Ms for her next door neighbor. I told Wilma I hoped we would meet again sometime.
As I left, I thought about Wilma's bag and all the good that she was doing for others. It might seem to some as insignificant, but it's often the little things that count and make life easier. I thought you should know about Wilma because, "It's just something I can do to make people smile and you never know, it just might make a difference."
"Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have
done it unto me."
(Matthew 25:40)
© December 2000
Pamela R. Blaine
Pamyblaine@aol.com
Send Pamela an email and let her know what you thought of her story!
********
I am married to Michael and live in West Virginia and Missouri but not at the same time (smile). I have 4 children and 4 grandchildren. I love my family and friends with all my heart. I write anything and everything whether it is stories, poems, songs, letters, or email. I have loved music and writing ever since I can remember. One of my goals is to be able to write for my children and grandchildren so special memories will not be forgotten. You can see some things I have written on my Web Page.
PamyPlace
http://members.aol.com/pamyblaine/PamyPlace.html
==================================================
REQUESTS:
==================================================
Thought For The Day:
"The measure of a person is not what he or she does on Sunday, but rather
who they are Monday through Saturday"
Verse for the Day:
"...that you may live worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing
fruit in every good work." -- Colossians 1:10
Toddler's Thought For The Day:
"If it is closed, it must be opened. If it does not open, it must be screamed at."
Parent's Thought For The Day:
"You don't raise heroes, you raise sons. And if you treat them like sons, they'll
turn out to be heroes, even if it's just in your own eyes." --Walter Schirra Sr.
Coach's Thought For The Day:
"For an athlete to function properly, he must be intent. There has to be a definite purpose and goal if you are to progress. If you are not intent about what you are doing, you aren't able to resist the temptation to do something else that might be more fun at the moment." -- John Wooden
Deep Thought For The Day:
"Do you think that when they asked George Washington for ID that he just
whipped out a quarter?"
====================================================
_
/_/\/\ MICHAEL T. POWERS
\_\ / THUNDER27@aol.com
/_/ \ "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
====================================================
The copyrights to the stories that appear in SFTH are owned by the
authors and are used with their permission. This email may be forwarded
in its entirety, but please do not cut and paste the stories to be used
elsewhere unless you have contacted, and been given permission,
by the individual writer. Thanks!
====================================================
Video Imagery (Michael's Video Production Business.)
"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 surprised 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-- College Station, TX
Let me make you a video from your pictures or home movies!
Check out the web page for Michael's video production business!
http://members.aol.com/Videoimg/index.html
AOL Users click here: Video Imagery
==================================================
Do you feel as if life has no meaning for you?
http://www.ccci.org/laws/index.html
AOL Users click here: The Four Spiritual Laws
==================================================
Writer's guidelines for Straight From the Heart can be found here:
http://storiesfrommyheart.com/writer_s_guidelines/
AOL Users click here: Writer's Guidelines
==================================================
UNSUBSCRIBE:
"What? You want to leave us?"
All you have to do is send a BLANK EMAIL with "Unsubscribe" in the subject line to:
Thunder27@aol.com
Give it a day or two to be processed... then try not to think of all the great stories
you will be missing!
==================================================
SUBSCRIBE:
"I need a daily source of inspiration and encouragement in my life!"
To become a Straight From the Heart Member send a BLANK EMAIL to:
Thunder27@AOL.COM
Then get ready to laugh, cry, and be deeply touched by some of the best
stories on the Internet!
==================================================
