something to share

[Guest guest]

I know this is not CJD related but it made me think of Dad and all the others

that we've lost to CJD....... I know they can see us and everything we are

trying to get done......... Liz.

The Father's Eyes

Bob s, the former pole-vault champion, shares a moving story

about a skinny young boy who loved football with all his heart.

Practice after practice, he eagerly gave everything he had. But

being half the size of the other boys, he got absolutely nowhere.

At all the games, this hopeful athlete sat on the bench and hardly

ever played. This teenager lived alone with his father, and the two

of them had a very special relationship. Even though the son was

always on the bench, his father was always in the stands cheering.

He never missed a game. This young man was still the smallest of

the class when he entered high school. But his father continued to

encourage him but also made it very clear that he did not have to

play football if he didn't want to. But the young man loved

football and decided to hang in there. He was determined to try

his best at every practice, and perhaps he'd get to play when he

became a senior. All through high school he never missed a practice

nor a game, but remained a bench warmer all four years. His

faithful father was always in the stands, always with words of

encouragement for him. When the young man went to college, he

decided to try out for the football team as a " walk-on " . Everyone

was sure he could never make the cut, but he did. The coach

admitted that he kept him on the roster because he always

puts his heart and soul to every practice, and at the same time,

provided the other members with the spirit and hustle they badly

needed. The news that he had survived the cut thrilled him so much

that he rushed to the nearest phone and called his father. His

father shared his excitement and was sent season tickets for all

the college games. This persistent young athlete never missed

practice during his four years at college, but he never got to play

in the game.

It was the end of his senior football season, and as he trotted

onto the practice field shortly before the big play off game, the

coach met him with a telegram. The young man read the telegram and

he became deathly silent. Swallowing hard, he mumbled to the

coach, " My father died this morning. Is it all right if I miss

practice today? " The coach put his arm gently around his shoulder

and said, " Take the rest of the week off, son. And don't even

plan to come back to the game on Saturday. Saturday arrived, and

the game was not going well. In the third quarter, when the team

was ten points behind, a silent young man quietly slipped into

the empty locker room and put on his football gear. As he ran onto

the sidelines, the coach and his players were astounded to see

their faithful teammate back so soon. " Coach, please let me play.

I've just got to play today. " said the young man. The coach

pretended not to hear him. There was no way he wanted his worst

player in this close playoff game. But the young man persisted,

and finally feeling sorry for the kid, the coach gave in.

" All right, " he said. " You can go in " . Before long, the coach, the

players and everyone in the stands could not believe their eyes.

This little unknown, who had never played before was doing

everything right. The opposing team could not stop him. He

ran, he passed, blocked and tackled like a star. His team began to

triumph. The score was soon tied. In the closing seconds of the

game, this kid intercepted a pass and ran all the way for the

winning touchdown. The fans broke loose. His teammates hoisted him

onto their shoulders. Such cheering you never heard!

Finally, after the stands had emptied and the team had showered and

left the locker room, the coach noticed that the young man was

sitting quietly in the corner all alone. The coach came to him and

said, " Kid, I can't believe it. You were fantastic! Tell me what

got into you? How did you do it? " He looked at the coach, with

tears in his eyes, and said, " Well, you knew my dad died, but did

you know that my dad was blind?' The young man swallowed

hard and forced a smile, " Dad came to all my games, but today was

the first time he could see me play, and I wanted to show him I

could do it! "

Like the athlete's father, God is always there cheering for us.

He's always reminding us to go on. He's even offering us His hand

for He knows what is best and is willing to give us what we need

and not simply what we want. God has never missed a single game.

What a joy to know that life is meaningful if lived for the Highest.

Live for HIM for He's watching us in the game of life.

RIGHT NOW:

somebody is very proud of you.

somebody is thinking of you.

somebody is caring about you.

somebody misses you.

somebody wants to talk to you.

somebody wants to be with you.

somebody hopes you are not in trouble.

somebody is thankful for the support you have provided.

somebody wants to hold your hand.

somebody hopes everything turns out all right.

somebody wants you to be happy.

somebody want you to find him/her.

somebody wants to give you a gift.

somebody wants to hug you.

somebody thinks you ARE a gift.

somebody admires your strength.

somebody is thinking of you and smiling.

somebody wants to protect you.

somebody can't wait to see you.

somebody loves you for who you are.

somebody treasures your spirit.

somebody is glad that you are their friend.

somebody wants to get to know you better.

somebody wants to be near you.

somebody wants you to know they are there for you.

somebody would do anything for you.

somebody wants to share their dreams with you.

somebody is alive because of you

somebody needs your support.

somebody will cry when they read this.

somebody needs you to have faith in them.

somebody trusts you.

somebody hears a song that reminds them of you.

SOMEBODY NEEDS YOU TO SEND THIS TO THEM