I have a very special friend, whom I met via the Internet.  He has become so special to me, that I want to dedicate this page just for Him.

His name is Gary.  He emails me with wonderful words of wisdom and encouragement daily.  Whenever I'm down, he finds the words to pick me up.  I have had many online friends throughout these past several years, but none as true as my dear friend Gary.

Gary lives in Iowa with his wife, whom I'd bet is equally as great as her hubby.  They have six children.

You know, we email online friends and acquaintances daily, weekly, but some of us never get the chance to really get to know one another.  Well, although I'll probably never get to meet Gary in person, he has nonetheless become one of my greatest and closest friends.

So Gary, my friend, I want to Thank YOU from the bottom of my heart for being such a wonderful, sincere, loyal friend.  I hope that I can be the same to you.  You have a lot to be proud of, and I respect you for your complete honesty.

With Hugs & Smiles,

Your Friend Always,

Babs

In Gary's Words: Nearly 3 years ago, I had a stroke and death was certainly very possible. Whether I lived or died did not seem at all important. The helplessness that I felt was overwhelming. I could not stand, or even feed myself.  I hated my situation and the flimsy gown that had put on me. One night, I crawled on my hands and knees to the closet where my clothes were stored. With considerable difficulty I put my clothes on and tossed the hated gown aside. In the morning, the nurse saw that I was in bed, dressed. She ask "where do you think  you are going"? I replied, "I don't know, but when I get there, I'm going to be dressed". When I finally got back home, I moved around with a walker. The door on the bathroom was removed so I could maneuver into it. For my first visits to my neurologist, I used the walker. After awhile, when I went to see him and I was using a cane instead. Several months later, I went to see him and walked by myself with the help of several handrails. Now when I visit him, I can just walk in and what problems that I still have, are not very obvious to others. Yes, I still have several problems. I have learned  not dwell on what I can't do, but look to what I can do.   When you go through trying times like that, your perspective of life changes.  Now when I see someone in a wheelchair or walker, I can remember myself in the same situation, and, feel so blessed that I am no longer like that.  After that experience, I found the attached story somewhere on the web.  I added a graphic and made several copies for friends.  It just helps bring things into the proper perspective. The Size Of Your Cross A young man was at the end of his rope. Seeing no way out, he dropped to his knees in prayer. "Lord, I can't go on," he cried.  "I have too heavy a cross to bear." The man was filled with relief and said "Thank You, Lord," and he did as he was told. Upon entering the other room, he saw many crosses.   Some were so large that the tops were not even visible.   He spotted a tiny cross leaning against a wall. "I will take that one, Lord," he said. The Lord replied, "My Son, that is the one you just brought in." When life's problems seem overwhelming, it helps to look around and see what other people are dealing with. You may consider yourself much better off than you imagined.    If God brings you to it – He will bring you through it.   See Also:  One Man's Story See Also:  A Goodbye To Gary

 

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