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{SFTH} *If The Dream Is Big Enough, The Facts Don't Count*
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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 the EBook, or to order
by credit card! You can also read some sample stories
from the book here!
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To order your autographed copy at no extra charge, send
a check or money order for $18 ($14.95 for the book and
$3.05 for shipping and handling) made out to
Michael T. Powers, and then send to:
Michael T. Powers
1918 Liberty Lane
Janesville, WI 53545
For two books add $4 for shipping and handling and for three
books add $5 for shipping and handling. If you want four or
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shipping and handling.
Be sure to let us know who you would like it autographed for
and then allow about two weeks for us to sign it and send
it on its way to you.
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We have another wonderful story by a new writer to SFTH!
Be sure to give Cynthia Stewart-Copier a warm welcome after
you read her story today!
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If The Dream Is Big Enough,
The Facts Don't Count
By Cynthia Stewart-Copier
I used to watch her from my kitchen window and laugh. She
seemed so small as she muscled her way through the crowd
of boys on the playground. The school was across the street
from our home and I would often stand at my window, hands
buried in dishwater or cookie dough, watching the kids as they
played during recess. A sea of children, and yet to me, she
stood out from them all.
I remember the first day I saw her playing basketball. I
watched in wonder as she ran circles around the other
kids. She managed to shoot jump shots just over their
heads and into the net. The boys always tried to stop
her but no one could.
I began to notice her at other times, on that same
blacktop, basketball in hand, playing alone. She would
practice dribbling and shooting over and over again,
sometimes until dark. One day I asked her why she
practiced so much. As she turned her head, her dark
ponytail whipped quickly around and she looked directly
in my eyes. Without a moment of hesitation she said, "I
want to go to college. My Dad wasn't able to go to
college and he has talked to me about going for as long
as I can remember. The only way I can go is if I get a
scholarship. I like basketball. I decided that if I were good
enough, I would get a scholarship. I am going to play
college basketball. I want to be the best. My Daddy told
me if the dream is big enough, the facts don't count."
Then she smiled and ran towards the court to recap the
routine I had seen over and over again.
Well, I had to give it to her -- she was determined. I
watched her through those Junior High years and into
High School. Every week, she led her varsity team to
victory. It was always a thrill to watch her play.
One day in her senior year, I saw her sitting in the grass,
head cradled in her arms. I walked across the street and
sat down in the cool grass beside her. Quietly I asked
what was wrong. "Oh, nothing", came a soft reply. "I am
just too short." The coach told her that at 5'5" she would
probably never get to play for a top ranked team--much
less offered a scholarship -- so she should stop dreaming
about college.
She was heartbroken and I felt my own throat tighten
as I sensed her disappointment. I asked her if she
had talked to her dad about it yet.
She lifted her head from her hands and told me that
her father said those coaches were wrong. They just
did not understand the power of a dream. He told her
that if she really wanted to play for a good college, if
she truly wanted a scholarship, that nothing could stop
her except one thing -- her own attitude. He told her
again, "If the dream is big enough, the facts don't count."
The next year, as she and her team went to the Northern
California Championship game, she was seen by a
college recruiter who was there looking at the opposing
team. She was indeed offered a scholarship, a full
ride, to a Division I, NCAA women's basketball team.
She accepted. She was going to get the college
education that she had dreamed of and worked toward
for all those years. And that little girl had more playing
time as a Freshman and Sophomore than any other
woman did in the history of that university.
Late one night, during her junior year of college her
father called. "I'm sick, Honey. I have cancer. No,
don't quit school and come home. Everything will
be okay. I love you."
He died six weeks later -- her hero, her Dad. She
did leave school those last few days to support her
mother and care for her father. Late one night, during
those final hours before his death, he called for her
in the darkness.
As she came to his side, he reached for her hand
and struggled to speak. "Rachel, keep dreaming.
Don't let your dream die with me. Promise me," he
pleaded. "Promise me."
In those last few precious moments together she
replied, "I promise Daddy."
Those years to follow were hard on her. She was torn
between school and her family, knowing her mother was
left alone with a new baby and three other children to
raise. The grief she felt over the loss of her father was
always there, hidden in that place she kept inside, waiting
to raise its head at some unsuspecting moment and
drop her again to her knees.
Everything seemed harder. She struggled daily with
fear, doubt and frustration. A severe learning disability
had forced her to go to school year-round for three
years just to keep up with requirements. The testing
facility on campus couldn't believe she had made it
through even one semester. Every time she wanted
to quit, she remembered her father's words, "Rachel,
keep dreaming. Don't let your dream die. If the dream
is big enough, you can do anything! I believe in you."
And of course, she would remember the promise she
made to him.
My daughter kept her promise and completed her degree.
It took her six years, but she did not give up. She can still
be found sometimes as the sun is setting, bouncing a
basketball. And often I hear her tell others, "If the dream
is big enough, the facts don't count."
© Cynthia Stewart-Copier
ccbooks@rcsis.com
Write Cynthia and let her know what you thought of her story!
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Cynthia Stewart-Copier is an international speaker and
the author of several books and articles, which include
the highly acclaimed new book: Dream Big! A Woman's
Book of Network Marketing, (Adams Media) and
newly released, Creating Wealth on The Web,
(Adams Media). She has written for top network
publications and has been on numerous radio
and television shows. Cynthia knows first-hand
how to dream big and has dedicated her life to
empower other's to stand-up, step-out, and reach
their dreams. She shares her inspiring secrets and
unforgettable stories with organizations across the
country. Reach Cynthia at http://www.daretodreambig.com/
*** Rachel Stewart, and her mother, Cynthia Stewart-Copier
are seeking true, inspirational stories from female athletes
for their upcoming book, Dare It, Dream It, Do It! Please
submit articles to ccbooks@rcsis.com
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Thought For The Day:
"Here is the test to see if your mission here on earth is
finished: If you are alive, it isn't." --Richard Bach
Verse for the Day:
"For as the days of a tree, so will be the days of my
people; my chosen ones will long enjoy the works of
their hands."
Kid's Thought For The Day:
"Sometimes you need a little push to go down the big slide."
Parent's Thought For The Day
"If your baby is 'beautiful and perfect, never cries or fusses,
sleeps on schedule and burps on demand, an angel all the
time', you're the grandma." --Theresa Bloomingdale
Coach's Thought For The Day
"We're never as good as we think we are, nor as bad as
we think we are."
-- Adolph Rupp, former college basketball coach
Deep Thought For The Day:
"Drive-in banking was invented so cars could go in and
see their real owners."
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REQUESTS:
I have a very special prayer request. My doctor who is a very well known
gyn has been diagnosed with cancer of the lungs. He is a wonderful doctor
and is having to give up his practice. I know prayer is his only hope so
please pray for him and ask others to also pray. I don't want to use his
name as he is wanting to keep this from most of his patients. My daughter
works for him so that's how I know about it. Thank you,
Natalie
nwright@psci.net
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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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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 this site for Michael's video production business!
http://members.aol.com/Videoimg/index.html
AOL Users click here: Video Imagery
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http://www.storiesfrommyheart.com/guidelines/
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Straight From the Heart: A Celebration of Life
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A number of people have written to us asking what an EBook
is, since our book is being offered in both print and EBook
versions. An EBook is a book that can be downloaded
and read right on your computer. The advantage of ordering
the EBook is that is costs less, $8.95 (No other charges),
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check out this web site to order the EBook version of
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