Charles Plumb, a US Naval Academy graduate, was a jet pilot in Vietnam. After 75 combat missions, his plane was destroyed by a surface-to-air missile. Plumb ejected and parachuted into enemy hands. He was captured and spent 6 years in a communist prison. He survived the ordeal and now lectures on lessons learned from that experience.

One day, when Plumb and his wife were sitting in a restaurant, a man at another table came up and said, “You’re Plumb! You flew jet fighters in Vietnam from the aircraft carrier Kitty Hawk. You were shot down!”

“How in the world did you know that?” asked Plumb.

“I packed your parachute,” the man replied.

Plumb gasped in surprise and gratitude. The man grabbed his hand and said, “I guess it worked!”

Plumb assured him, “It sure did. If your chute hadn’t worked, I wouldn’t be here today.”

Plumb couldn’t sleep that night, thinking about that man. Plumb kept wondering what the man might have looked like in a Navy uniform. He wondered how many times he might have seen him and not even said good morning, how are you or anything, because you see, he was a fighter pilot and the man was just a sailor.
Plumb thought of the many hours that sailor had spent in the bowels of the ship, carefully weaving the shrouds and folding the silks of each chute, holding in his hands each time the fate of someone he did not know.

Now Plumb asks his audience, “Who is packing your parachute?” Everyone has someone who provides what they need to make it through the day.

Plumb also points out that he needed many kinds of parachutes when his plane was shot down. As you go through your week, month, and year, recognize the people who have packed your parachute and enabled you to get where you are today!

Submitted by: Christina

Music: ‘Dreams’ © Margi Harrell

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“Don’t give up trying to find your way. But do remember that sometimes it takes bending to avoid breaking.” – Katinka Hesselink

“Never give up, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.” – Harriet Beecher Stowe

“Never give up. And never, under any circumstances, face the facts.” – Ruth Gordon

“Just don’t give up trying to do what you really want to do.
Where there is love and inspiration, I don’t think you can go wrong.” – Ella Fitzgerald

“Hope begins in the dark, the stubborn hope that if you just show up and try to do the right thing,
the dawn will come. You wait and watch and work: You don’t give up.” – Anne Lamott

Fall seven times, stand up eight! – Japanese Proverbs

“It matters if you just don’t give up.” – Stephen Hawking

“The man who wins may have been counted out several times,
but he didn’t hear the referee.
Never quit or give up… never… never give up.” – H.E. Janson

“Never give in, never give in, never; never; never; never – in nothing, great or small, large or petty -
never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense” – Winston Churchill

“It’s not whether you get knocked down; it’s whether you get back up.” – Vince Lombardi

“Don’t give up at half-time. Concentrate on winning the second half.” – Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant

“Don’t let what you cannot do interfere with what you can do.” – John Wooden

Music: ‘Far Away’ © Yuko Ohigashi

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Life is like a book with many different chapters.
Some tell of tragedy, others of triumph.  Some chapters are dull and ordinary,
others intense and exciting.

The key to being a success in life is to never
stop on a difficult page, to never quit on a tough chapter.

Champions have the courage to keep turning
the pages because they know a better chapter lies ahead.

Submitted by: Jack

Music: ‘Flying Through The Clouds’ © Yuko Ohigashi

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Neatly Rolled And Tied
Are One Hundred Hug’s Inside
To Your Heart From Mine

Whether Your Day Is Good Or Bad
You’ll Find A Hug For Every Mood
Happy Or Sad

So If You Should Feel The Need
For A Great Big Hug From Me

Simply Open This Wonderful Gift
And Get Yourself A Hug!

For You,
From Me.

Submitted by: Joyce

Music: ‘Flying Through The Clouds’ © Yuko Ohigashi

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When I look into the mirror
a different image I portray
To many I am a beauty
a sunshine on a cloudy day

My eyes may mesmerize you
and bring you deep within
My smile might light your life
and my heart you’ll want to win

I may look so young and innocent
as happy as can be
but deep beneath my innocence
is a pain you cannot see

Many tears I have shed
many friends I have lost
many dreams were broken
frozen into the winter frost

I am a special person
or so I have been told
I try to be a true friend
as my hearts as pure as gold

My ears are here to listen
my shoulder I can lend
but if you need me there for you
you’ll have to understand…

I am not just a trophy
you put upon display
show me off, collect some dust
soon to be forgotten until a rainy day

I am not just a pretty face
or an object of desire
although I can fulfill your passion
and become an open fire

I want to make you happy
and want me to be yours
but first you have to see
far inside the windows and the doors

I am a beautiful flower
who needs love and sunshine to grow
show me that you love all I have
and my feelings I will show.

For I have a heart to give to you
and a friendship oh so true
just promise me you’ll be there for me
and I’ll do the same for you.

Submitted by: Judy

Music: ‘Dreams’ © Margi Harrell

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[[Show as slideshow]]

1. Somebody is very proud of you.
2. Somebody is thinking of you.
3. Somebody is caring about you.
4. Somebody misses you.
5. Somebody wants to talk to you.
6. Somebody wants to be with you.
7. Somebody hopes you aren’t in trouble.
8. Somebody is thankful for the support you have provided.
9. Somebody wants to hold your hand.
10. Somebody hopes everything turns out all right.
11. Somebody wants you to be happy.
12. Somebody wants you to find him/her.
13. Somebody is celebrating your successes.
14. Somebody wants to give you a gift.
15. Somebody thinks that you ARE a gift.
16. Somebody hopes you’re not too cold, or too hot
17. Somebody wants to hug you.
18. Somebody loves you.
19. Somebody admires your strength.
20. Somebody is thinking of you and smiling.
21. Somebody wants to be your shoulder to cry on.
22. Somebody wants to go out with you and have a lot of fun.
23. Somebody thinks the world of you.
24. Somebody wants to protect you.
25. Somebody would do anything for you.
26. Somebody wants to be forgiven.
27. Somebody is grateful for your forgiveness.
28. Somebody wants to laugh with you.
29. Somebody remembers you and wishes that you were there.
30. Somebody is praising God for you.
31. Somebody needs to know that your love is unconditional.
32. Somebody values your advice.
33. Somebody wants to tell you how much they care.
34. Somebody wants to share their dreams with you.
35. Somebody wants to hold you in their arms.
36. Somebody wants YOU to hold them in your arms.
37. Somebody treasures your spirit.
38. Somebody wishes they could STOP time because of you.
39. Somebody praises God for your friendship and love.
40. Somebody can’t wait to see you.
41. Somebody loves you for who you are.
42. Somebody loves the way you make them feel.
43. Somebody wants to be with you.
44. Somebody wants you to know they are there for you.
45. Somebody is glad that you’re his/her friend.
46. Somebody wants to be your friend.
47. Somebody stayed up all night thinking about you.
48. Somebody is alive because of you.
49. Somebody is wishing that you noticed him/her.
50. Somebody wants to get to know you better.
51. Somebody wants to be near you.
52. Somebody misses your advice/guidance.
53. Somebody has faith in you.
54. Somebody trusts you.
55. Somebody needs your support.
56. Somebody needs you to have faith in them.
57. Somebody will cry when they read this.
58. Somebody needs you to let them be your friend.
59. Somebody hears a song that reminds them of you.
60. Somebody needs you to send them this to them.

Submitted by: Shirly

Music: ‘Friends’ © Yuko Ohigashi

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Although you’re tired and weary
Just rest the whole night through
As God gives us the mornings
To see all things anew.

For things look so much brighter
When they’re slept on a while
You wake up in the morning
And soon you want to smile.

You look and see the sunshine
The bright blue sky above
You wonder why you fretted
And you know God is love.

With all this to surround you
There’s naught but this to say
And so with song you praise Him
Give thanks for this new day.

Yes, God has all the answers
To problems big and small
We only have to tell Him
He’s at our beck and call.

So we must take our burdens
And lay them at His feet
Then trust unto His wisdom
That all our need He’ll meet.

Submitted by: Leslie

Music: ‘Lost Love’ © Yuko Ohigashi

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Fold two hands together
And express a dash of sorrow
Marinate it overnight
And work on it tomorrow .

Chop one grudge in tiny pieces
Add several cups of love
Dredge with a large sized smile
Mix with the ingredients above.

Dissolve the hate within you
By doing a good deed
Cut in and help your friend
If he should be in need.

Stir in laughter, love, and kindness
From the heart it has to come
Toss with genuine forgiveness
And give your neighbor some.

The amount of people served
Will depend on you
It can serve the whole wide world
If you really want it to.

Submitted by: Betty

Music: ‘Flying Through The Clouds’ © Yuko Ohigashi

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For today…

Smile at a stranger.
Listen to someone’s heart.

Drop a coin where a child can find it.
Learn something new, then teach it to someone.
Tell someone you’re thinking of them.

Hug a loved one.
Don’t hold a grudge.
Don’t be afraid to say "I’m sorry".

Look a child in the eye and tell them how great they are.
Look beyond the face of a person into their heart.
Make a promise, and keep it.

Call someone, for no other reason than to just say "hi".
Show kindness to an animal.
Stand up for what you believe in.

Smell the rain, feel the breeze, listen to the wind.
Use all your senses to their fullest.
Cherish all your today’s!

"And now abide faith, hope, love, these three;
but the greatest of these is love." (1 Corinthians 13:13)

Submitted by: Brenda

Music: ‘A Love Song’ © Yuko Ohigashi

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I The most selfish 1 letter word "I" Avoid it.

The most satisfying 2-letter word "WE" Use it.

The most poisonous 3-letter word "EGO" Kill it.

The most used 4-letter word "LOVE" Value it.
The most pleasing 5-letter word "SMILE" Keep it.

The fastest spreading 6-letter word "RUMOUR" Ignore it.

The hardest working 7-letter word "SUCCESS" Achieve it.

The most enviable 8-letter word "JEALOUSY" Distance it.

The most powerful 9-letter word "KNOWLEDGE" Acquire it.

The most essential 10-letter word "CONFIDENCE" Trust it

Submitted by: Kim

Music: ‘Free As The Wind’ © Yuko Ohigashi

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