Well, the day started like any other day here on The Hill. I was answering comments and messages and welcoming new members. In the early evening I was on the Home Page and noticed that someone had posted something in the Shoutbox about needing help. I politely suggested for her to use the Forum as the administrators did not like using the Shoutbox for such things. Then the message came, “I need someone in Canada.” I thought this a bit strange so I asked, “Why Canada? I’ll help if I can, just send me a message.”

Then I read that she received an email saying that someone she knew had taken a combination of drugs and alcohol and she wanted to get this friend help. WOW! I did NOT expect this, at all. So what do I do now?

I messaged that I would be right back and browsed to see who I might know that was online and lived in Canada. YES, I found someone, so I suggested that she send her a message. I also sent a message so that the other member would know that this was real.

The member that I contacted got in touch with yet another member, who happened to be the only friend of the person asking for help, thinking that she may have been a relative. This was not the case. Hum……..now what?

The person asking for help called an International Operator seeking an ambulance service, but the company she called did not answer.

At this point, with my mind going in all kinds of directions, I began to wonder if this was all real. The person asking for help had only been a member for a few days; only had one friend and was young.

I kept asking myself, ‘Did I do the right thing? Is this really an emergency or just someone playing games?”  I now apologize for these thoughts, but will admit that I had them.

Next came a message  in the Shoutbox saying that she did manage to get another ambulance service and that help was on the way to her friend.

The final outcome is not yet known, but the person who needed the ambulance is now in hospital.

My mind was relieved this morning when I read a message from yet another member of NOTH thanking me for my assistance in this emergency.

YES, it was real and YES, I helped, if only in a small way and it feels SO good!

Tags: Help Shoutbox

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I received this e-mail today and I just had to share it with you all. Have a great day.

hugs, Nance 

I Believe...
That just because two people argue,
it doesn't mean they don't love each other.
And just because they don't argue,
it doesn't mean they do love each other.

I Believe...
That we don't have to change friends if
we understand that friends change.

I Believe...
That no matter how good a friend is, they're going to hurt
you every once in a while and you must forgive them for that.

I Believe...
That true friendship continues to grow, even over
the longest distance. Same goes for true love.

I Believe...
That you can do something in an instant
that will give you heartache for life.

I Believe...
That it's taking me a long time
to become the person I want to be.

I Believe..
That you should always leave loved ones with
loving words. It may be the last time you see them.

I Believe...
That you can keep going long after you think you can't.

I Believe...
That we are responsible for what
we do, no matter how we feel.

I Believe...
That either you control your attitude or it controls you.

I Believe...
That heroes are the people who do what has to be done
when it needs to be done, regardless of the consequences.

I Believe...
That money is a lousy way of keeping score.

I Believe...
That my best friend and I, can do anything, or nothing and have the best time.

I Believe...
That sometimes the people you expect to kick you
when you're down, will be the ones to help you get back up.

I Believe...
That sometimes when I'm angry I have the right to be angry, but that doesn't give me the right to be cruel.

I Believe...
That maturity has more to do with what types of experiences you've had and what you've learned from them and less to do
with how many birthdays you've celebrated.

I Believe...
That it isn't always enough, to be forgiven by others.
sometimes, you have to learn to forgive yourself.

I Believe..
That no matter how bad your heart is broken the world doesn't stop for your grief.

I Believe...
That our background and circumstances may have influenced who we are,
but, we are responsible for who we become.

I Believe...
That you shouldn't be so eager to find
out a secret. It could change your life Forever.

I Believe...
Two people can look at the exact same
thing and see something totally different.

I Believe...
That your life can be changed in a matter of
hours by people who don't even know you.

I Believe...
That even when you think you have no more to give, when
a friend cries out to you - you will find the strength to help.

I Believe...
That credentials on the wall do not make you a decent human being.

I Believe...
That the people you care about most in life are taken from you too soon.

Tags: Life

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I got this as part of an email and thought it was well worth sharing....hug, Nance

"Beautifully  stated....
As  we grow up, we learn that even the one person that wasn't supposed  to ever let you down probably will. You will have your heart broken  probably more than once and it's harder every time. You'll break  hearts too, so remember how it felt when yours was broken. You'll  fight with your best friend.  You'll  blame a new love for things an old one did.  
You'll  cry because time is passing too fast, and you'll eventually lose  someone you love. So take too many pictures, laugh too much, and  love like you've never been hurt because every sixty seconds you  spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back. "  ~ Anonymous 

Tags: Life

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I received this e-mail today and thought that is was worth sharing, even though it is a bit long. hugs, Nance

A young man learns what's most important in life from the guy next door.

It had been some time since Jack had seen the old man. College, girls,
career, and life itself got in the way. In fact, Jack moved clear across the
country in pursuit of his dreams. There, in the rush of his busy life, Jack
had little time to think about the past and often no time to spend with his
wife and son. He was working on his future, and nothing could stop him.

Over the phone, his mother told him, 'Mr. Belser died last night The funeral
is Wednesday.' Memories flashed through his mind like an old newsreel as he
sat quietly remembering his childhood days.

'Jack, did you hear me?'

'Oh, sorry, Mom. Yes, I heard you. It's been so long since I thought of him.
I'm sorry, but I honestly thought he died years ago,' Jack said.

'Well, he didn't forget you. Every time I saw him he'd ask how you were
doing. He'd reminisce about the many days you spent over 'his side of the
fence' as he put it,' Mom told him.

'I loved that old house he lived in,' Jack said.

'You know, Jack, after your father died, Mr. Belser stepped in to make sure
you had a man's influence in your life,' she said.

'He's the one who taught me carpentry,' he said. 'I wouldn't be in this
business if it weren't for him. He spent a lot of time teaching me things he
thought were important...Mom, I'll be there for the funeral,' Jack said.

As busy as he was, he kept his word. Jack caught the next flight to his
hometown. Mr. Belser's funeral was small and uneventful. He had no children
of his own, and most of his relatives had passed away.

The night before he had to return home, Jack and his Mom stopped by to see
the old house next door one more time.

Standing in the doorway, Jack paused for a moment. It was like crossing over
into another dimension, a leap through space and time The house was exactly
as he remembered. Every step held memories. Every picture, every piece of
furniture....Jack stopped suddenly.

'What's wrong, Jack?' his Mom asked.

'The box is gone,' he said.

'What box?' Mom asked.

'There was a small gold box that he kept locked on top of his desk. I must
have asked him a thousand times what was inside. All he'd ever tell me was
'the thing I value most,'' Jack said.

It was gone. Everything about the house was exactly how Jack remembered it,
except for the box. He figured someone from the Belser family had taken it.

'Now I'll never know what was so valuable to him,' Jack said. 'I better get
some sleep. I have an early flight home, Mom.'

It had been about two weeks since Mr. Belser died Returning home from work
one day Jack discovered a note in his mailbox. 'Signature required on a
package. No one at home. Please stop by the main post office within the next
three days,' the note read

Early the next day Jack retrieved the package. The small box was old and
looked like it had been mailed a hundred years ago. The handwriting was
difficult to read, but the return address caught his attention. 'Mr. Harold
Belser' it read. Jack took the box out to his car and ripped open the
package. There inside was the gold box and an envelope. Jack's hands shook
as he read the note inside.

'Upon my death, please forward this box and its contents to Jack Bennett.
It's the thing I valued most in my life.' A small key was taped to the
letter. His heart racing, as tears filling his eyes, Jack carefully unlocked
the box There inside he found a beautiful gold pocket watch.

Running his fingers slowly over the finely etched casing, he unlatched the
cover. Inside he found these words engraved:

'Jack, Thanks for your time! -Harold Belser.'

'The thing he valued most was...my time.'

Jack held the watch for a few minutes, then called his office and cleared
his appointments for the next two days. 'Why?' Janet, his assistant asked.

'I need some time to spend with my son,' he said.

'Oh, by the way, Janet, thanks for your time!'

'Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take but by the moments
that take our breath away.'


Think about this. You may not realize it, but it's 100% true.



1. At least 2 people in this world love you so much they would die for you.

2. At least 15 people in this world love you in some way.

3. A smile from you can bring happiness to anyone, even if they don't like
you.

4. Every night, SOMEONE thinks about you before they go to sleep.

5. You mean the world to someone

6. If not for you, someone may not be living.

7. You are special and unique.

8. When you think you have no chance of getting what you want, you probably
won't get it, but if you trust God to do what's best, and wait on His time,
sooner or later, you will get it or something better.

9. When you make the biggest mistake ever, something good can still come
from it.

10. When you think the world has turned its back on you, take a look: you
most likely turned your back on the world.

11. Someone that you don't even know exists loves you.

12. Always remember the compliments you received. Forget about the rude
remarks.

13 . Always tell someone how you feel about them; you will feel much better
when they know and you'll both be happy.

14. If you have a great friend, take the time to let them know that they are
great.
 


To everyone who reads this, I wish to say 'Thanks for your time'. 

Tags: Life Time

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whatever day it may be

 hugs, Nance

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Tags: Victoria Day

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Go placidly amid the noise & haste, & remember what peace there may by in silence.  As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly & clearly; and listen to others, even the dull & ignorant; they too have their story. ~~ Avoid loud & aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.  If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain & bitter; for always there will be greater & lesser persons than yourself.  Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. ~~  Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.  Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery.  But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism. ~~  Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity & disenchanment it is perennial as the grass. ~~  Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.  Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.  But do not distress yourself with imaginings.  Many fears are born of fatigue & loneliness.  Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.  ~~ You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees & the stars; you have a right to be here.  And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. ~~ Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conveive Him to be, and whatever your labors & aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. ~~  With all its sham, drudgery & broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy. ~~~~

Tags: Life

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My five-year old Grandson, Jake, is learning to read.
 Yesterday he pointed at a picture in a zoo book and said,  "Look Grandpa!  It's a frickin' elephant!"

I took a deep breath, then asked...
"What did you call it?"

"It's a frickin' elephant, Grandpa! It says so on the picture!"

 And so it does...

 
" A f R I c a n  Elephant "
 Hooked on phonics!    Ain't it wonderful?

Tags: Joke Funny Phonics

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