Archive for the 'Story' Category

Time, Treasure, Love

Published
by
Grady
on July 26, 2008
in Love and Story
. 0 Comments

There was this guy who believed very much in true love and decided to take his time to wait for his right girl to appear. He believed that there would definitely be someone special out there for him, but none came.

Every year at Christmas, his ex-girlfriend would return from Vancouver to look him up. He was aware that she still held some hope of re-kindling the past romance with him. He did not wish to mislead her in any way. So he would always get one of his girl friends to pose as his steady whenever she came back. That went on for several years and each year, the guy would get a different girl to pose as his romantic interest. So whenever the ex-girlfriend came to visit him, she would be led into believing that it was all over between her and the guy. The girl took all those rather well, often trying to casually tease him about his different girlfriends, or so, as it seemed! In fact, the girl often wept in secret whenever she saw him with another girl, but she was too proud to admit it. Still, every Christmas, she returned, hoping to re-kindle some form of romance. But each time, she returned to Vancouver feeling disappointed.

Finally she decided that she could not play that game any longer. Therefore, she confronted him and professed that after all those years, he was still the only man that she had ever loved. Although the guy knew of her feelings for him, he was still taken back and have never expected her to react that way. He always thought that she would slowly forget about him over time and come to terms that it was all over between them. Although he was touched by her undying love for him and wanted so much to accept her again, he remembered why he rejected her in the first place-she was not the one he wanted. So he hardened his heart and turned her down cruelly. Since then, three years have passed and the girl never return anymore. They never even wrote to each other. The guy went on with his life….. still searching for the one but somehow deep inside him, he missed the girl.

On the Christmas of 1995, he went to his friend’s party alone. “Hey, how come all alone this year? Where are all your girlfriends? What happened to that Vancouver babe who joins you every Christmas?”, asked one of his friend. He felt warm and comforted by his friend’s queries about her, still he just surged on.
Then, he came upon one of his many girlfriends whom he once requested to pose as his steady. He wanted so much to ignore her ….. not that he was impolite, but because at that moment, he just didn’t feel comfortable with those girlfriends anymore. It was almost like he was being judged by them. The girl saw him and shouted across the floor for him. Unable to avoid her, he went up to acknowledge her.

“Hi……how are you? Enjoying the party?” the girl asked.

“Sure…..yeah!”, he replied.
She was slightly tipsy….. must be from the whiskey on her hand. She continued,
“Why…? Don’t you need someone to pose as your girlfriend this year?” Then he answered, “No, there is no need for that anymore……”
Before he can continue, he was interrupted, “Oh yes! Must have found a girlfriend! You haven’t been searching for one for the past years, right?” The man looked up, as if he has struck gold, his face beamed and looked directly at the drunken girl. He replied, “Yes……you are right! I haven’t been looking for anyone for the past years.”
With that, the man darted across the floor and out the door, leaving the lady in much bewilderment. He finally realized that he has already found his dream girl, and she was…..the Vancouver girl all along! The drunken lady has said something that awoken him.

All along he has found his girl. That was why he did not bother to look further when he realized she was not coming back. It was not any specific girl he was seeking! It was perfection that he wanted, and yes…..perfection!!
Relationship is something both parties should work on. Realizing that he had let away someone so important in his life, he decided to call her immediately. His whole mind was flooded with fear. He was afraid that she might have found someone new or no longer had the same feelings anymore….. For once, he felt the fear of losing someone.

As it was Christmas eve, the line was quite hard to get through, especially an overseas call. He tried again and again, never giving up. Finally, he got through……precisely at 1200 midnight. He confessed his love for her and the girl was moved to tears. It seemed that she never got over him! Even after so long, she was still waiting for him, never giving up.

He was so excited to meet her and to begin his new chapter of their lives. He decided to fly to Vancouver to join her. It was the happiest time of their lives! But their happy time was short-lived. Two days before he was supposed to fly to Vancouver, he received a call from her father. She had a head-on car collision with a drunken driver. She passed away after 6 hours in a coma.
The guy was devastated, as it was a complete loss. Why did fate played such cruel games with him? He cursed the heaven for taking her away from him, denying even one last look at her! How cruel he cursed! How he damned the Gods…!! How he hated himself….for taking so long to realize his mistake!! That was in 1996.

The moral of this story is :
Treasure what you have…
Time is too slow for those who wait;
Too swift for those who fear;
Too long for those who grief;
Too short for those who rejoice;
But for those who love…
Time is Eternity.

For all you out there with someone special in your heart, cherish that person, cherish every moment that you spend together that special someone, for in life, anything can happen anytime. You may painfully regret, only to realise that it is too late.

Salty Coffee

Published
by
Grady
on July 18, 2008
in Story
. 0 Comments

He met her on a party. She was so outstanding, many guys chasing after her, while he so average, nobody paid attention to him.

At the end of the party, he finally found courage to invite her to have coffee with him.
She was surprised, but out of politeness, she promised. They sat in a nice coffee shop, he was too nervous to say anything, she felt uncomfortable, waiting for coffee
She kept on thinking, “Please, let it get over soon…let me go home….”
It arrived and suddenly, he asked the waiter. “Would you please get me some salt? I’d like to put it in my coffee!”

Everybody stared at him, so strange! His face turned red, but still, he put the salt in his coffee and drank it. She asked him curiously, “Why this habit?”
He took a couple of sips and replied, “When I was a little boy, I lived near the sea, I liked playing in the sea! I can still remember the taste of the sea.. This salty coffee…every time
I drink it, I always think of my childhood, think of my hometown… I miss my hometown so much… I miss my parents who are still out there.”
While saying this, tears filled his eyes.

She was deeply touched.

A man who can tell out his homesickness, must be a man who loves home, cares about home, has responsibility of home.
Then she also started to speak, spoke about her faraway hometown, her childhood, her family. That was a really great date, also a beautiful beginning of their story.

They continued to date. She found that actually, he was a man who met all her expectations: he was tolerant, kind hearted, warm, caring. He was such a good man and hadn’t been for the salt in the coffee, she’d never have really known him!

The rest of the story was just like any other beautiful love story: the princess married to the prince, and they lived a very happy married life.
And yes! every time she made coffee for him, she put some salt in the coffee, just the way he liked it!

After 40 years of marital bliss, he died after a short illness.

One day, she found a letter he had left for her:

“My dearest,
Please forgive me, but I lied to you.. Only once.. Remember the first time we dated? I was so nervous, I asked for salt instead of sugar! I was too embarrassesd to admit it, so I just went ahead.
I never thought that could bring about such a frank and intimate conversation between the two of us!
Later, I tried to tell you the truth so many times but was afraid you’d think I was a liar and never again believe me …
Now I’m dying, and am afraid of nothing so I tell you the truth: I don’t like the salty coffee,
as a matter of fact I hate it! What a strange bad taste.. But since you made it for me with so much love, I drank it all my life!
Please forgive me, darling.. for lying to you first in that Coffee Shop and then not telling you the truth everytime you made coffee for me! I am not lying now when I say, I couldn’t have that coffee any other way!
- still madly in love with you”

Sometimes, someone may ask her: “How ddi that salted coffee taste?”
“It’s sweet.” She always replied.

The Silent Love

Published
by
Grady
on July 1, 2008
in Love and Story
. 0 Comments

From the very Beginning, the girl’s family objected strongly on her dating this guy. Saying that it has got to do with family background & that the girl will have to suffer for the rest of her life if she were to be with him.

Due to family’s pressure, the couple quarrel very often. Though the girl love the guy deeply, but she always ask him: “How deep is your love for me?”

As the guy is not good with his words, this often cause the girl to be very upset. With that & the family’s pressure, the girl often vent her anger on him. As for him, he only endure it in silence.

After a couple of years, the guy finally graduated & decided to further his studies in overseas. Before leaving, he proposed to the girl: “I’m not very good with words. But all I know is that I love you. If you allow me, I will take care of you for the rest of my life. As for your family, I’ll try my best to talk them round. Will you marry me?”

The girl agreed, & with the guy’s determination, the family finally gave in & agreed to let them get married. So before he leave, they got engaged.

The girl went out to the working society, whereas the guy was overseas, continuing his studies. They sent their love through emails & phone calls. Though it’s hard, but both never thought of giving up.

One day, while the girl was on her way to work, she was knocked down by a car that lost control. When she woke up, she saw her parents beside her bed. She realised that she was badly injured. Seeing her mum crying, she wanted to comfort her. But she realized that all that could come out of her mouth was just a sigh. She has lost her voice……

The doctors says that the impact on her brain has caused her to lose her voice. Listening to her parents’ comfort, but with nothing coming out from her, she broke down.

During the stay in hospital, besides silence cry,…..it’s still just silence cry that companied her. Upon reaching home, everything seems to be the same. Except for the ringing tone of the phone. Which pierced into her heart everytime it rang. She does not wish to let the guy know. & not wanting to be a burden to him, she wrote a letter to him saying that she does not wish to wait any longer.

With that, she sent the ring back to him. In return, the guy sent millions & millions of reply, and countless of phonecalls,.. all the girl could do, besides crying, is still crying….

The parents decided to move away, hoping that she could eventually forget everything & be happy.

With a new environment, the girl learn sign language & started a new life. Telling herself everyday that she must forget the guy. One day, her friend came & told her that he’s back. She asked her friend not to let him know what happened to her. Since then, there wasn’t anymore news of him.

A year has passed & her friend came with an envelope, containing an invitation card for the guy’s wedding. The girl was shattered. When she open the letter, she saw her name in it instead.

When she was about to ask her friend what’s going on, she saw the guy standing in front of her. He used sign language telling her “I’ve spent a year’s time to learn sign language. Just to let you know that I’ve not forgotten our promise. Let me have the chance to be your voice. I Love You. With that, he slipped the ring back into her finger. The girl finally smiled.

Two seeds

Published
by
Grady
on June 24, 2008
in Story
. 0 Comments

Two seeds lay side by side in the fertile soil.

The first seed said, “I want to grow! I want to send my roots deep into the soil beneath me, and thrust my sprouts through the earth’s crust above me … I want to unfurl my tender buds like banners to announce the arrival of spring … I want to feel the warmth of the sun on my face and the blessing of the morning dew on my petals!”

And so she grew…

The second seed said, “Hmmmm. If I send my roots into the ground below, I don’t know what I will encounter in the dark. If I push my way through the hard soil above me I may damage my delicate sprouts … what if I let my buds open and a snail tries to eat them? And if I were to open my blossoms, a small child may pull me from the ground. No, it is much better for me to wait until it is safe.”

And so she waited…

A yard hen scratching around in the early spring ground for food found the waiting seed and promptly ate it.

Lesson: Seize the day!

Sometimes People Come to Your Life

Published
by
Grady
on June 20, 2008
in Life and Story
. 0 Comments

Sometimes people come into your life and you know
right away that they were meant to be there, to serve
some sort of purpose, teach you a lesson, or to help
you figure out who you are or who you want to become.

You never know who these people may be - a roommate, a
neighbor, a professor, a friend, a lover, or even a
complete stranger - but when you lock eyes with them,
you know at that very moment they will affect your
life in some profound way.

Sometimes things happen to you that may seem horrible,
painful, and unfair at first, but in reflection you
find that without overcoming those obstacles you would
have never realized your potential, strength,
willpower, or heart.

Illness, injury, love, lost moments of true greatness,
and sheer stupidity all occur to test the limits of
your soul. Without these small tests, whatever they
may be, life would be like a smoothly paved straight
flat road to nowhere. It would be safe and
comfortable, but dull and utterly pointless.

The people you meet who affect your life, and the
success and downfalls you experience, help to create
who you are and who you become. Even the bad
experiences can be learned from. In fact, they are
sometimes the most important ones.

If someone loves you, give love back to them in
whatever way you can, not only because they love you,
but because in a way, they are teaching you to love
and how to open your heart and eyes to things.

If someone hurts you, betrays you, or breaks your
heart, forgive them, for they have helped you learn
about trust and the importance of being cautious to
whom you open your heart.

Make every day count. Appreciate every moment and take
from those moments everything that you possibly can
for you may never be able to experience it again. Talk
to people that you have never talked to before, and
listen to what they have to say.

Let yourself fall in love, break free, and set your
sights high. Hold your head up because you have every
right to. Tell yourself you are a great individual and
believe in yourself, for if you don’t believe in
yourself, it will be hard for others to believe in
you.

You can make anything you wish of your life. Create
your own life and then go out and live it with
absolutely no regrets.

And if you love someone tell them, for you never know
what tomorrow may have in store.

Learn a lesson in life each day that you live! Today
is the tomorrow you were worried about yesterday. Was
it worth it?

~ by Unknown ~

Keep On Singing

Published
by
Grady
on June 14, 2008
in Love and Story
. 0 Comments

Like any good mother, when Karen found out that another baby was on the way, she did what she could to help her 3-year-old son, Michael, prepare for a new sibling.

They find out that the new baby is going to be a girl, and day after day, night after night, Michael sings to his sister in Mommy’s tummy.

The pregnancy progresses normally for Karen, an active member of the Panther Creek United Methodist Church in Morristown, Tennessee. Then the labor pains come. Every five minutes, every minute. But complications arise during delivery. Hours of labor. Would a C-section be required?

Finally, Michael’s little sister is born. But she is in serious condition. With siren howling in the night, the ambulance rushes the infant to the neonatal intensive care unit at St. Mary’s Hospital, Knoxville, Tennessee. The days inch by. The little girl gets worse. The pediatric specialist tells the parents, “There is very little hope. Be prepared for the worst.”

Karen and her husband contact a local cemetery about a burial plot. They have fixed up a special room in their home for the new baby now they plan a funeral. Michael, keeps begging his parents to let him see his sister, “I want to sing to her,” he says.

Week two in intensive care. It looks as if a funeral will come before the week is over. Michael keeps nagging about singing to his sister, but kids are never allowed in Intensive Care. But Karen makes up her mind. She will take Michael whether they like it or not. If he doesn’t see his sister now, he may never see her alive.

She dresses him in an oversized scrub suit and marches him into ICU. He looks like a walking laundry basket, but the head nurse recognizes him as a child and bellows, “Get that kid out of here now! No children are allowed. The mother rises up strong in Karen, and the usually mild-mannered lady glares steel-eyed into the head nurse’s face, her lips a firm line.

“He is not leaving until he sings to his sister!”

Karen tows Michael to his sister’s bedside. He gazes at the tiny infant losing the battle to live. And he begins to sing. In the pure hearted voice of a 3-year-old, Michael sings:

“You are my sunshine, my only sunshine, you make me happy when skies are gray…”

Instantly the baby girl responds. The pulse rate becomes calm and steady.

Keep on singing, Michael.

“You never know, dear, how much I love you, Please don’t take my sunshine away…”

The ragged, strained breathing becomes as smooth as a kitten’s purr.

Keep on singing, Michael.

“The other night, dear, as I lay sleeping, I dreamed I held you in my arms…”

Michael’s little sister relaxes as rest, healing rest, seems to sweep over her.

Keep on singing, Michael.

Tears conquer the face of the bossy head nurse. Karen glows.
Click Here

“You are my sunshine, my only sunshine. Please don’t, take my sunshine away.”

Funeral plans are scrapped. The next day, the very next day, the little girl is well enough to go home! Woman’s Day magazine called it “the miracle of a brother’s song.” The medical staff just called it a miracle. Karen called it a miracle of God’s love!

Never give up on the people you love.

May be

Published
by
Grady
on June 12, 2008
in Story
. 0 Comments

A Chinese story, kind of a Taoistic story about a philosophic farmer.

One day, the farmer’s horse ran away, and all the neighbors gathered in the evening and said ‘that’s too bad.’
He said ‘maybe.’
Next day, the horse came back and brought with it seven wild horses. ‘Wow!’ they said, ‘Aren’t you lucky!’
He said ‘maybe.’
The next day, his son grappled with one of these wild horses and tried to break it in, and he got thrown and broke his leg. And all the neighbors said ‘oh, that’s too bad that your son broke his leg.’
He said, ‘maybe.’ The next day, the conscription officers came around, gathering young men for the army, and they rejected his son because he had a broken leg. And the visitors all came around and said ‘Isn’t that great! Your son got out.’
He said, ‘maybe.’

Lesson: you never really know in which direction progress lies. Life unfolds not always as we expect it to.

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

~ Psalm 46:1-3 ~

Teddy and the Perfume

Published
by
Grady
on June 12, 2008
in Education and Story
. 0 Comments

As she stood in front of her 5th grade class on the very first day of
school, she told the children an untruth. Like most teachers, she looked at
her students and said that she loved them all the same. However, that was
impossible, because there in the front row, slumped in his seat, was a
little boy named Teddy Stoddard. Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year
before and noticed that he did not play well with the other children, that
his clothes were messy and that he constantly needed a bath. In addition,
Teddy could be unpleasant. It got to the point where Mrs. Thompson would
actually take delight in marking his papers with a broad red pen, making
bold X’s and then putting a big “F” at the top of his papers. At the school
where Mrs. Thompson taught, she was required to review each child’s “past”
records and she put Teddy’s off until last. However, when she reviewed his
file, she was in for a surprise.

Teddy’s first grade teacher wrote, “Teddy is a bright child with a ready
laugh. He does his work neatly and has good manners… he is a joy to be
around.” His second grade teacher wrote, “Teddy is an excellent student,
well liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a
terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle.” His third grade
teacher wrote, “His mother’s death has been hard on him. He tries to do his
best, but his father doesn’t show much interest and his home life will soon
affect him if some steps aren’t taken.” Teddy’s fourth grade teacher wrote,
“Teddy is withdrawn and doesn’t show much interest in school. He doesn’t
have many friends and he sometimes sleeps in class.”

By now, Mrs. Thompson realized the problem and she was ashamed of herself.
She felt even worse when her students brought her Christmas presents,
wrapped in beautiful ribbons and bright paper, except for Teddy’s. His
present was clumsily wrapped in the heavy, brown paper that he got from a
grocery bag. Mrs. Thompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other
presents. Some of the children started to laugh when she found a rhinestone
bracelet with some of the stones missing, and a bottle that was one-quarter
full of perfume. But she stifled the children’s laughter when she exclaimed
how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on, and dabbing some of the perfume
on her wrist. Teddy Stoddard stayed after school that day just long enough
to say, “Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like my Mom used to.” After
the children left, she cried for at least an hour. On that very day, she
quit teaching reading, writing and arithmetic. Instead, she began to teach
children. Mrs. Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy. As she worked
with him, his mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the
faster he responded. By the end of the year, Teddy had become one of the
smartest children in the class and, despite her lie that she would love all
the children the same, Teddy became one of her “teacher’s pets.”

A year later, she found a note under her door, from Teddy, telling her that
she was still the best teacher he ever had in his whole life. Six years went
by before she got another note from Teddy. He then wrote that he had
finished high school, third in his class, and she was still the best teacher
he ever had in his whole life. Four years after that, she got another
letter, saying that while things had been tough at times, he’d stayed in
school, had stuck with it, and would soon graduate from college with the
highest of honors. He assured Mrs.Thompson that she was still the best and
favorite teacher he had ever had in his whole life. Then four more years
passed and yet another letter came. This time he explained that after he got
his bachelor’s degree, he decided to go a little further. The letter
explained that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had. But
now his name was a little longer…. The letter was signed, Theodore F.
Stoddard, MD.

The story does not end there. You see, there was yet another letter that
spring. Teddy said he had met this girl and was going to be married. He
explained that his father had died a couple of years ago and he was
wondering if Mrs. Thompson might agree to sit at the wedding in the place
that was usually reserved for the mother of the groom. Of course, Mrs.
Thompson did. And guess what? She wore that bracelet, the one with several
rhinestones missing. Moreover, she made sure she was wearing the perfume
that Teddy remembered his mother wearing on their last Christmas together.
They hugged each other, and Dr. Stoddard whispered in Mrs. Thompson’s ear,
“Thank you Mrs. Thompson for believing in me. Thank you so much for making
me feel important and showing me that I could make a difference.” Mrs.
Thompson, with tears in her eyes, whispered back. She said, “Teddy, you have
it all wrong. You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference.
I didn’t know how to teach until I met you.”

Imperfect

Published
by
Grady
on June 11, 2008
in Love and Story
. 0 Comments

They have been married for two years. He loves literature
and often posts his work on the net, but nobody ever reads them.
He is also into photography and he handles their wedding photos.
He loves her very much. Likewise with her.
She has a quick temper and always bullies him.
He is a gentleman and always gives in to her.

Today, she’s being willful again.

Her: “Why can’t you be the photographer for my friend’s wedding?
She promised she’d pay.”
Him: “I don’t have time that day.”
Her: “Humph!”
Him: “Huh?”
Her: “Don’t have time? Write less of those novels,
and you will have all the time you need.”
Him: “I… someone will definitely recognize my work some day.”
Her: “Humph! I don’t care, you’ll have to do it for her!”
Him: “No.”
Her: “Just this once?”
Him: “No.”

Negotiation’s broken. So, she gave the final warning:
“Give me a Yes within three days, or else…”

First day, she “withheld” the kitchen, bathroom, computer,
refrigerator, television, hi-fi… Except the double bed,
to show her “benevolence”.

Of course, she has to sleep on it too. He didn’t mind,
as he still has some cash in his pockets.

Second day, she conducted a raid and removed everything from his pockets
and warned, “Seek any external help, and you bear the consequences.”

He’s nervous now. That night, on the bed, he begs for mercy,
hoping that she’ll end this state. She doesn’t give a damn.
No way am I giving in, whatever he says. Until he agrees.

Third day, night. On the bed. He’s lying on the bed, looking to one side.

She’s lying on the bed, looking to the other side.


Him: “We need to talk.”
Her: “Unless it’s about the wedding, forget it.”
Him: “It’s something very important.”

She remains silent.

Him:”Let’s get a divorce.”
She did not believe her ears.
Him: “I got to know a girl.”

She’s totally angry, and wanted to hit him. But she held it down,
wanting to let him finish. But her eyes already felt wet.
He took a photo out from his chest. Probably from his undershirt pocket,
that’s the only place she didn’t go through yesterday. How careless.

Him: “She’s a nice girl.”
Her tears fell.

Him: “She has a good personality too.”
She’s heartbroken because he puts a photo of some other girl close to his heart.
Him: “She says that she’ll support me fully in my pursue for literature after we got married.”

She’s very jealous because she said the same thing in the past.
Him: “She loves me truly.”
She wishes to sit up and scream at him “Don’t I?”
Him: “So, I think she won’t force me to do something that I don’t want to do.”

She’s thinking, but the rage won’t subside.
Him: “Want to take a look at the photo I took for her?”
Her: “…!”

He brings the photo before her eyes. She’s in a total rage,
hits his hand away and leaves a burning slap on his face.

He sighs. She cries.
He puts the photo back to his pocket.
She pulls her hand back under the blanket.

He turns off the light, and sleeps.
She turns on the light, and sits up. He’s asleep. She lost sleep.
She regrets treating him the way she treated him.

She cried again, and thought about a lot of things.
She wants to wake him up. She wants to have a intimate talk with him.
She doesn’t want to push him anymore. She stares at his chest.
She wants to see how the girl looks.

She slips the photo out. She wanted to cry and she wanted to laugh.

It’s a nicely taken photo. A photo he took for her. She bends down,
and kissed him on his cheek.

He smiled. He was just pretending to be asleep.

“You learn to love, not by finding a perfect person,
but by learning to see an imperfect person perfectly

There She Is

Published
by
Grady
on June 8, 2008
in Love and Story
. 0 Comments