A Priceless Birthday Gift

Kelly was a very wealthy Hollywood actress, who was used to a posh lifestyle. She lived in a multimillion dollar home in Beverly Hills. She had all sorts of people she paid to do things for her, such as her personal chef, her aerobics trainer, her gardener, her maid and her masseuse. She spared no expense to take care of her wants and needs.

Kelly was a great actress and had been nominated several times for Golden Globes and Academy Awards. She seemed to have everything she wanted.

In spite of losing her mother at a very young age, she had a very loving father and sister. Her Dad ensured that both of his girls got a great education. He also was very supportive of their career moves. Kelly had always wanted to be an actress. Her sister, Sarah, had always wanted to be a scientist.

Sarah drove from where she worked, at Jet Propulsion Laboratory, to her sister home.

It was Kelly birthday and she invited dozens of celebrities, ranging from actors to musicians. Each guest took turns giving Kelly her extravagant gifts, such as gold-plated picture frames, modern expensive artwork and items from Hong Kong. It was time for Sarah, her sister, to give Kelly her birthday present. She handed Kelly a brand new photo album. Kelly said jokingly,  photo album, Sarah? Do you know how many photo albums I have? I don have enough pictures to fill all my photo albums.?
Sarah knew her sister sarcastic humor and took the comment in stride. She finally said, pen the album, sister.?ut-?PEN the album, Kelly,?Sarah said with conviction.

Kelly opened the photo album. There were many photos of an attractive woman and a handsome man in their mid-thirties next to two girls. Both girls appeared to be less than ten years old.

Kelly mouth slowly started to open rather widely as if she had been transformed on the spot. She began to weep as tears of love ran down her face. She stared at the first page of pictures for several minutes. She finally said softly, t Mom.?She couldn say anything more for another few minutes as she turned the page. The room was silent. The next page contained pictures of her mother, father, Sarah and her at the Grand Canyon. ur last trip together,?Kelly said even more softly. She couldn hold back the running tears, which were now like Niagara Falls. The people in the room started to cry as well. Most of them knew that Kelly lost her mother at a very young age.

here did you get these??Kelly asked Sarah. hese are absolutely priceless.?ad found them in the attic. I had the same reaction as you. I had a photoshop restore many of the pictures and make several copies. I had to make an album for you and me. It the least I could do for Mom,?exclaimed Sarah. o you remember the hike along the Colorado River??Kelly asked Sarah. he was so mad when we jumped in the river.?Both sisters hugged each other. Sarah was now crying as much as Kelly. Both sisters?tears were tears of embrace and loyalty. They both adored one another.

After about an hour of reminiscing with each other and the guests who surrounded them, Kelly said, arah, this is the greatest birthday present anyone could ever give me. Thank you.?

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Why Is Love Important?

So often we spend most of our time taking care of our physical needs. We make sure our bodies are fed, cleaned, clothed, exercised and rested. We also make sure intellectual stimulation and entertainment is a priority. Yet we also overlook the most important need -- love.

Of course, as a society, love is not overlooked. Popular media constantly places great emphasis on what we need to do and how we should look to attract "love". But being loved is not as powerful an emotional need as that desire to love someone else.

The need to love and care for others is built into us biologically. This need is what allows parents to forgo sleep, food, and sanity while raising their children. This need is what allows people to put themselves at risk to save others from natural disasters and human threats. This need is what makes human society work on both a small and a large scale.

Loving others allows us to put the needs and desires of others before our own. We will work harder and longer, sometimes at jobs we loathe, to provide for those we love. We will tolerate otherwise intolerable conditions to provide care for our loved ones whether they are young or old.

Love means to cherish, hold dear, and treasure. We do not hurt, harm, or cause pain to those we love; rather, we seek to relieve their suffering. It is not about wanting people; it's about wanting people to be happy. It's not about wanting to possess or control others; it's about wanting to set them free.

John Oxenham described love this way: "Love ever gives. Forgives, outlives. And ever stands with open hands. And while it lives, it gives. For this are love's prerogatives - to give, and give, and give."

Love is the grease that allows the wheel of life to continue turning. For when we love we look beyond ourselves, beyond our needs and desires. We sacrifice our time, our energy, our wishes, and sometimes even ourselves because of love. Sometimes it is for an immediate person or group that we know intimately and love completely, but other times it is for a larger group of people that we don't really know or perhaps even like. It is love that allows law enforcement and emergency services personnel to face danger. It is love that allows soldiers to risk everything. Love makes heroes every day in every corner of the world. As Thomas ?Kempis said: "Love feels no burden, thinks nothing of trouble, attempts what is above its strength... It is therefore able to undertake all things, and it completes many things and warrants them to take effect, where he who does not love would faint and lie down."

The ultimate definition of love is not about feeling good but rather about doing good. A perfect example of love in action is Mother Teresa who worked so long and so hard on the behalf of others. However we see it all around us if we look for it. Robert Louis Stevenson said: "The essence of love is kindness."

Love is important because without it, life has no meaning or purpose. As Frank Tebbets says "A life without love in it is like a heap of ashes upon a deserted hearth, with the fire dead, the laughter stilled and the light extinguished." Love allows us to be more and do more than we could ever accomplish without its power.

This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.