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WITandWISDOM(tm) - March 2, 2006 ISSN 1538-8794 ~~~~~~~ THOUGHTS: For what I have received may the Lord make me truly thankful. And more truly for what I have not received. - Storm Jameson (Journey from the North, v.2) Source: Quote Lady's Quote of the Day, mailto:quote-a-day-subscribe@yahoogroups.com ~~~~~~~ SPECIAL THOUGHTS: I did something very daring today. I said, "No." I was at a meeting where I was asked to serve on a committee that would require numerous Thursday evening meetings. And I said, "No." I declined politely, even graciously, but it wasn't enough. The others just looked at me, waiting. Three long seconds, four, five. Waiting, waiting for my important excuse. They couldn't move on until I had explained my answer. "You see," I continued, "I really want to be home to tuck the kids in bed at night." Most of the others around the table nodded in understanding. "Well," the chairperson offered, "we can make sure we're done by eight-thirty, so you can be home in time to tuck the kids in." The others murmured in affirmation, and turned back to me, expectantly, waiting for my response. "Well," I explained, "that's right when we are watching the fish eat." The others weren't impressed. "You see," I continued, "on Thursdays, after I've quizzed the children for Friday's spelling tests, we watch the fish. It's just an important time in our family's week. It seems to set the tone for the next day, and when I'm gone on Thursday nights, Fridays just don't go as well." My words sounded rather weak and almost silly as they tumbled out. No one said, "Oh, of course, Cheryl, we understand!" They were still waiting. Now, I could have added, "But, you see, I've got a book manuscript due to the publisher in two months that I have got to work on." That would have been sufficiently important. After all, that's my career. They would have nodded in understanding, and quickly moved on. But the truth is, I'm not writing between 7:30 and 8:30 p.m. on Thursday evenings. I'm being Mom. I'm reviewing spelling words for Friday's tests. I'm checking math answers. I'm making sure permission notes are signed, book reports are written and weekly assignments completed. And when school work is done, and the children have brushed their teeth and gotten into their PJs, the family gathers on the couch in front of the aquarium to watch the fish eat. We feed the fish every night, of course. But on Thursdays we make an effort to sit together as a family and watch them. This is when I heard about Blake's plans to be a paleontologist. It's when I learned about how Bryce handled the bully on the playground. This is when Sarah Jean explained why she doesn't want to wear bows in her hair anymore. The committee members were still looking at me. Feeling guilty, I almost changed my mind to say, "Okay, I'll do it." But I didn't. Because my reason for saying no is important. On Thursday evenings, we watch the fish eat. By Cheryl Kirking (c) 1999 from Chicken Soup for Every Mom's Soul by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Heather McNamara and Marci Shimoff. In order to protect the rights of the copyright holder, no portion of this publication may be reproduced without prior written consent. All rights reserved. http://isbn.nu/0757302483 Visit us and read other sample stories and meet the authors. http://www.chickensoup.com Source: Beliefnet Chicken Soup, http://www.beliefnet.com/newsletter/step1.aspx ~~~~~~~ THIS & THAT: If Cats Wore T-Shirts, Here's What They Would Say . . . Purrrrfection Cannot Be Improved If you don't like my attitude, you should see my owner!! Take my advice...I'm not using it. I'd like to help you out...Which way did you come in? Cats know how we feel...They don't care, but they know. As a house pet, I'm overqualified. Personally, I don't believe felines are a fad. We're here to stay. Source: Molly's Quotes of the Day, mailto:molly.rhea@gmail.com?subject=Subscribe_Quotes_of_the_Day ~~~~~~~ KEEP SMILING: Garbage collectors were picking up our trash I had just put out as my wife walked back into our house. A particular barrel was very heavy. "Lady, we can't take this," one man called out. "It's way over the weight limit." My wife turned her eight-month-pregnant figure toward him. "It didn't seem that heavy when I carried it out." she said. Without another word, the man emptied the barrel into the truck. Submitted by Gerry ~~~~~~~ TRIVIA: Drug combination prevents HIV infection in monkeys February 06, 2006 07:29 PM ET DENVER (Reuters) - An injection of two drugs normally used to treat HIV patients completely protected monkeys from becoming infected with the AIDS virus, U.S. researchers reported on Monday. http://tinyurl.com/7wz3b Source: Reuters, http://reuters.com