A Keeper


                    It was a way of life, and sometimes it made me
                    crazy. All that re-fixing, reheating, renewing,
                    I wanted just once to be wasteful. Waste meant
                    affluence. Throwing things away meant you knew
                    there'd always be more.

                    But then my Father died, and on that clear
                    summer's night, in the warmth of the hospital
                    room, I was struck with the pain of learning
                    that sometimes there isn't any 'more.'

                    Sometimes, what we care about most gets all used
                    up and goes away...never to return. So...while
                    we have it...it's best we love it..... and care
                    for it .....and fix it when it's broken.....and
                    heal it when it's sick.

                    This is true.....for marriage.....and old
                    cars..... And children with bad report
                    cards.....and dogs with bad hips.....and aging
                    parents.....and grandparents.

                    We keep them because they are worth it, because
                    we are worth it.  Some things we keep.

                    Like a best friend that moved away -- or -- a
                    classmate we grew up with.

                    There are just some things that make life
                    important, like people we know who are
                    special.....and so, we keep them close!

                    Feel free to share this with the KEEPERS in your
                    life!