This is probably going to show up twice, -sorry about that! Slip of the finger.

Great story Ken. Congratulations on the website. Glad to see that you are still involved in the spreading of the "word".

Have a "blessed" Christmas Ken...I agree, forgiveness is "very" important and has been something that I have always had trouble with.

Take care,
Morning Star*
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:
: I was at a counseling session the other day, when I was asked what I felt the greatest gift a person could give someone would be. It didnt take me but a split second to answer that question, and my answer was FORGIVNESS. Besides being beautiful and precious, you dont even have to wrap it since it already comes encased in Love. Its very affordable, because you dont have to purchase it, you only have to give it. In fact it was a gift that was shared with you many, many years ago when a very good friend of mine said, Father please forgive them for they know not what they do. Another nice thing about Forgiveness, is that you dont have to worry about it fitting just right, because one size fits the ALL.
: Remember that someday when you cross to the Other Side, that you may have to forgive yourself for not showimg forgivness to your fellow man/woman. In my Hospice Counseling one of the greatest concerns by the ones getting ready to cross over, is the fact that they want to know if they have been forgiven by others or not. Its like I tell them, to forgive yourself is of your main priority, no matter what. The lack of Forgivness can become an extremely heavy burden on two peoples souls. The one who should be forgiven, but most of all the one who wont forgive.
: The year was 1982 and my father and uncle became very angry with each other. They lived one block away from each other, and for two years they didnt even speak to each other. Oh Yeah! they worked togeather at the brewery also. Through those two years I stayed very close to my uncle, as I think I was the only person he liked, and besides that Im adopted, and was his only nephew. It was in the Fall of 1984 that I found out that my uncle had terminal Cancer, but he wasnt going to tell my parents because he was flat out stubborn and bullheaded. At times he could be very grouchy, and he would never apologize for anything, but deep down inside that tough exterior you could feel his love just yearning to be embraced. On Christmas day of 1984 I had invited my uncle down to our house, but I told him that my father ( his brother ) wouldnt be there, as thats the only way he would have came down. My father was in the basement, and there was a knock at the door. He yelled at me and my mother to answer the door. Well, we told him that we were very busy, and that he would have to answer it. As mom ( she knew who it was ) and I hid behind a door and watched, my father opened the front door and you could have heard a pin drop.
: My father looked at my uncle and said, " what are you doing here? " and my uncle replied, " you arent supposed to be here. " They both just stood there and stared at each other, and thats when I came around the corner and said, " By the way, mom and I were just wondering if either one of you knew what the heck your arguing about? " After a couple minutes of no one saying anything I said, " Thats just what I thought, your both stubborn, and I will be darn if Im going to let this continue. As far as mom and I are concerned your BOTH FORGIVEN, and enough is enough. The next time we lokked at them they both had tears in their eyes. The funny thing about my uncle was he didnt think my father was there, but he still had a Christmas gift for him that he was going to leave with us. But the best gift we ALL recieved that Christmas in 1984 was the GIFT OF FORGIVNESS.
: My uncle crossed over three months later with my father by his side in the hospital. So this Christmas I want you to think about someone who should be forgiven, or that you have had a mere misunderstanding with, and give them a call, send them an email or card, or go have coffee or tea with them. Rather its a serious problem or a small conflict, remember, FORGIVNESS COMES IN ALL SIZES, AND ONE SIZE FITS THE ALL. Take care, and Happy Forgiving.
: Reaching For Joy
: Ken