Heart Touchers

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{SFTH} *Dear Dad & My Super Hero* 6/13/01

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inspiration into the lives of many! If you are not on the list
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Michael's long awaited book Straight From the Heart: "A Celebration of
Life," is finally here! Close to 200 pages of true short stories filled
with love and laughter await you! Visit our web site to order your copy!
You can also read some sample stories from the book here!

http://storiesfrommyheart.com/michael_t__powers/

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Dear Dad

By Linda Ferris

Remember when you told me you wanted your first child to be a girl, and that you would give your life for me? Well, because of that, Dad, I always knew that you wanted me.

Remember when you told me I had a curfew, that you had to meet my dates, and that you wanted to know if I was happy or sad? Well, because of that, Dad, I always knew that you cared about me.

Remember when you cried before you walked me down the aisle and when I moved away, and you told me I was your baby girl? Well, because of that, Dad, I knew that you missed me.

Remember when you said that someday when you passed away, you knew I would be okay, that I was smart, strong, and successful? Well, because of that Dad, I knew that you were proud of me.

Don't you see, Dad? I have confidence because I always knew you wanted me, I'm happy because I always knew you cared about me, and I'm strong because I always knew you missed me. I was able to get my degree because I always knew you were proud of me. And most of all, I have love in my heart because I always knew that you loved me.

I thank my Father in Heaven for giving me you Dad. And because he did, I always knew that God blessed me.

I love you, Dad! Happy Father's Day!

Linda Ferris
LAFRN10@aol.com

Send Linda an e-mail and let her know what you thought of her story!
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Linda wrote the letter to her dad last year when she was watching him recover
from a stroke...

Linda is a registered nurse who makes her home in Lincoln Park, Michigan. She has one grown son, who is now out on his own with plans of getting married in June of 2002. She said she enjoys helping her Mom care for her Dad, since his stroke, spending time with her family, writing short stories, and enjoying the life God so graciously gave her.

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MY SUPER HERO

By Mary Emma Allen

"Tomorrow is hero day at school, Nanny," my 9-year old granddaughter
informed me.
"Who is my hero?"

"Who do you know who has been very brave? Someone who's been through a
difficult time
and still keeps going?"

"Daddy," she replied instantly. "I'll dress up like Daddy tomorrow."

Her father has been battling a challenge with cancer the past two years,
yet has inspired all of us with his desire to keep life as normal as
possible for his family, to participate in activities with his two
children, to enjoy life with his wife.

You know his determination has been worthwhile when his daughter
immediately chooses him as her super hero and happily decides which of
his clothes she'll wear to dress up like him. She finally selects his
shirt with the Pooh pictures on it.

While other children may choose an entertainer, a sports figure, a
cheerleader, it's exciting to know my granddaughter realizes the true
value of her father, a symbol to all of us of bravery in the face of
life's challenges.

Send Mary Emma an e-mail and let her know what you thought of her article!
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Mary Emma Allen is a journalist, columnist, children's
writer, book author, and newsletter editor. Her many
publications are listed on her Web site:
http://homepage.fcgnetworks.net/jetent/mea

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From the Guestbook!

Today's Straight from the heart was very timely. I felt very saddened by what happened today (Timothy McVeigh was executed) and from the memories of what happened 6 years ago. Bob Perks story was exactly what I needed to hear to help put everything into perspective and know I wasn't alone in how sad and confused I felt. Thanks again for your great newsletter.
Linda Haskins
bhaskins@metrocast.net

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Enjoyed your stories very much, thank you for sharing them with us. We also love camping, and sitting by the camp fire,
Pat Boyer
patherb@earthlink.net

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I thought your Batman Kisses article was a wonderful story, full of humor. It touched my heart. It was a reminder of how we must slow down our lives and pay attention to our children. I have two grandsons that I will spend more time with. Thank you
Gail Spence
gspence@bme.jhu.edu

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Michael & Kristi,
Oh, how I do relish and savor your website! You so touchingly mingle inspirational, heartwarming stories and articles with dashes of hilarious humor, and the sound-wave of Caleb saying "stinkin stink" is a cute example of that. Now, when do we get to hear Connor? Please give him a turn, too! Thanks for all the hard work y'all do to bring us readers the fantastic daily e-mail articles. Everyone should subscribe to your e-zine. I'm placing my order now for five copies of your new book. No kidding. God bless you and your fine sons always and in all ways.
Sandi

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Thought For The Day:

"God always gives His best to those who leave the choice with Him."
(Jim Elliot)

Verse for the Day:

"Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our Salvation." Psalm 68:19

Kid's Thought For The day:

"If you can't find a way through the crowd, make one."

Parent's Thought For The Day

"What is a home without children? Quiet." (Henny Youngman)

Coach's Thought For The Day

Triumph is a little "umph" added to 'try."

Deep Thought For The Day:

"It takes money to make money, because you have to copy the design exactly."

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REQUESTS:

Please put my Mom & Dad on your prayer list. Mom has been in pain for a
long time for a variety of reasons. Three weeks ago she broke her back.
Last Thurs she went to bed and did not get up. She is now in the hospital
near death. She says she is tired and hurts and "can't do this anymore".
She has told us all goodbye. It is so hard to watch her with Dad; they have
been married 57 years! Dad really is having a hard time letting her go but
we have all agreed on no extraordinary measures so it is just time
now....Pray for my Daddy...s_j_lloyd@hotmail.com
Shirley Lloyd
Shirley.Lloyd@Airliquide.com

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_
/_/\/\    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

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The copyrights to the stories that appear in SFTH are owned by the
authors and are used with their permission. We refuse to run stories
without the author's permission and contact info listed after the story.
We also refuse to publish stories listed as "author unknown."
(All of which violates Copyright law and the rights of the authors.)
This e-mail 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.
Thank you so much for honoring the rights of those writers who
graciously share their stories with us!
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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
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Would you like to see your story in Straight From the Heart?
Writer's guidelines can be found on our Web site here:
http://storiesfrommyheart.com/writer_s_guidelines/

AOL Users click here: Writer's Guidelines
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Purchase your copy of Michael T. Powers' new book! For a sneak
preview, visit:

http://www.storiesfrommyheart.com/order_our_book_

AOL Users Click Here: Straight From the Heart: A Celebration of Life
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Do you feel as if life has no meaning for you?
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