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Table of Contents

1. Welcome Notes
2. Article -- Love Your Self, Love Your Friends
3. Words of Wisdom

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1. Welcome Notes

Welcome to new and old subscribers alike. You bless my life. If you would like to review past issues of One of a Kind News, click on Archives List.

With two weeks until Thanksgiving and six weeks until Christmas, we are in the midst of the holiday season. It is a time of giving appreciation and gifts. It is a time of counting our blessings and blessing those that we love.

Friends are among the greatest blessings we have in our lives. So often, we take them for granted, assuming that they will always be there. The reality is that they will not always be there, none of us will. If loving our Selves means taking excellent care of every aspect of our lives, and I believe it does, taking care of our friendships is an essential part of loving our Selves.

One way to take care of our friendships (love our friends) is to show them our appreciation. In light of this, I would like to devote this issue of One of a Kind News, to showing my appreciation to a dear friend who made a big difference in my life.

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2. Love Your Self, Love Your Inner Peace

LOVING YOUR SELF MEANS TAKING EXCELLENT CARE OF EVERY ASPECT OF YOUR LIFE.

"There but for the grace of God go I." --Author unknown

As far back as I can remember, I have had a deep compassion for the homeless. It hurts my heart when I hear people say negative things about them. None of us knows every aspect of another persons' life situation. There is only One who does, and that is God. If each of us looked at our lives honestly, we would have to see that, given certain circumstances, we too could be homeless. Perhaps it is because I was homeless for a short while, that I feel this compassion and passion.

It was the summer of 1963. I was newly graduated from high school and a beauty school dropout. My life at home had become unbearable. I knew that I had to leave. With frail determination, I packed up one grocery bag of belongings and walked out the door, only to return once for a short stay.

At 18 years old, with no money, no job and nowhere to go, I was depressed, alone and terrified. For two months I was allowed to stay at a friends house. When it came time for her and her twin sister to leave for college, I once again found myself with nowhere to go. I didn't know what to do. I needed a home and I needed a job. The idea occurred to me to look for a live-in babysitting job.

On a rainy, Sunday afternoon, sick with the flu and with only two days left until I had to move, I scoured the want ads for my salvation. An ad caught my eye. It was for a live-in babysitter for a two-year-old boy. With trembling hands and voice, I called and was invited to their home for an interview that day. It was the worst possible day for me to go on an interview. I was so sick! With fever raging and running eyes and nose, I went. I don't know why they hired me; perhaps it was pity, as I must have looked like a beaten down dog. Or, perhaps it was because when asked if I could cook fried rice, I lied and said "yes".

This family, Roberta, Bill and Bobbie, took me into their home and into their hearts. I sometimes ask myself what would have become of that lost child that I was if it hadn't been for them. I can only imagine the worst.

At only three years older than me, Roberta became the mother, for a while, that I so desperately needed. I want to take this opportunity to honor her for the huge difference she made in my life.

Thank you, Roberta for:

Entrusting me with your precious son, Bobby.

Listening to me, sometimes all night long, even when you had to work the next day.

Believing in me, when no one else did, including me.

Loaning me your clothes when I got my first office job and had only cut-off jeans to wear.

Giving me the best Christmas I ever had even though Bill was out of work and you were working two jobs.

Giving me my wedding and the courage to walk, with trembling knees, down the aisle.

Encouraging me to always do the right thing.

Lending me your courage when I had none left of my own.

For giving me the greatest of gifts, the gift of unconditional love.

And, most of all for forgiving me for lying to you about the fried rice.

You were "the wind beneath my wings." You blessed my life then and continue to bless it 39 years later.

With all of my heart, my friend, I thank you!

Who, in your life, would you like to give the gift of appreciation? Who has been there for you through thick and thin? Who has made a huge difference in your life? Tell them now.

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3. Words of Wisdom

Some People

"Some people come into our lives and quickly go.
Some people move our souls to dance.
They awaken us to new understanding
with the passing whisper of their wisdom.
Some people make the sky more beautiful to gaze upon.
They stay in our lives for awhile, leave footprints on our hearts,
and we are never, ever the same."
--Flavia

The ABC's of Friendship

"A friend.....
Accepts you as you are
Believes in you always
Calls you just to say "hello"
Doesn't give up on you ever
Envisions the whole of you
Forgives your mistakes
Gives unconditionally
Helps you when you need it
Is always there for you
Just likes being with you
Keeps you close at heart
Loves you for who you are
Makes a difference in your heart
Never judges you
Offers support
Picks you up when you are down
Quiets your fears
Says nice things about you
Tells you what you need to hear
Understands you
Values you
Walks beside you
X-plains things you don't understand
Yells when you won't listen
Zaps you back to reality"
--Author unknown

Cherished Friends

"God must have known there would be times
We'd need a word of cheer.
Someone to praise a triumph
Or brush away a tear.

He must have known we'd need to share
The joy of "little things"
In order to appreciate
The happiness life brings.

I think he knew our troubled hearts
Would sometimes throb with pain
At trials and misfortunes
Or goals we can't attain.

He knew we'd need the comfort
Of an understanding heart
To give us strength and courage
To make a fresh, new start.

He knew we'd need companionship
Unselfish...lasting...true,
And so God answered the heart's great need
With CHERISHED FRIENDS....like you."
--Author unknown

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Until we meet again, remember to:

Count your garden by the flowers,
Never by the leaves that fall.
Count your days by golden hours,
Don't remember clouds at all.
Count your nights by stars, not shadows.
Count your years with smiles, not tears.
Count your blessings, not your troubles.
Count your age by friends, not years.
--Lyvonn Berry

Blessings to you and yours,

Sharon

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Copyright © 2000, 2001,2002 all rights reserved.
U.S. Library of Congress ISSN: 1536-5891
Permission is granted to reproduce, copy or distribute One of a Kind News so long as this copyright notice and full information about contacting the author is attached. The author of this newsletter is: Sharon L. Demarte, M.A.