"Service dogs and service humans..." 'James "Kimo" Rosen (Column-21)

Jerry Seinfeld once said,"On my block, a lot of people walk their dogs and I always see them walking along with their little poop bags. This, to me, is the lowest activity in human life. Following a dog with a little scooper. Waiting for him to go so you can walk down the street with it in your bag. If aliens are watching this through telescopes, they're going to think the dogs are the leaders of the planet."

James “Kimo” Rosen is a retired professional photographer living in Kapa'a
with his best friend Obama Da Dog, Rosen also blogs as a hobby.

Check out my column in the 06-30-14 
edition of the Kaua'i Garden Island Newspaper, Please click on recommend if you like it!
http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/guest/service-dogs-and-service-humans/article_515369ae-0003-11e4-9178-001a4bcf887a.html

Everyone knows the term Service dog. Service  dogs have become very popular the last decade.

Service dogs are as common as apple pie. There are service dogs for every ailment under the sun. The ADA cannot discriminate from a blind person to a mentally ill person and those in between.

The oldest form of service dog is the service guide dog for the blind, usually a German shepherd, however any breed of dog can be trained to  guide or service.  The American with  Disabilities  Act (ADA) allows for numerous kinds of services provided from dogs.Any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability.

There are now many 'PSD dogs.' (Psychiatric Service Dogs,) not to be confused with PTSD. You need a confirmation from your  MD or Psychiatrist that the dog is instrumental for your mental health. In many cases the dogs work better than the best anti-Psychotic medications. Dogs really are healing and for some people a matter of life and death.

If you see a dog wearing a service vest, do not pet that dog, that dog is working for that person, and not there for your entertainment. That dog needs to be focused on the person with the disability. Remember people with service dogs are not portable petting zoo's in the same essence would you want someone going up to your child or significant other and  touching  them without permission. It is also proper etiquette to not ask the person with a service animal what there disability is,  unless of course that information is politely volunteered. 

There was the recent incident  where  a service dog on US Airways Flight 598  from Los Angeles to Philadelphia had to make an emergency landing in  Kansas City, Mo. after a dog twice defecated in the center aisle,since the smell was making passengers ill. Was that dog truly a service dog?

There are people abusing the system of service dogs, since anybody and their brother can buy a vest on the internet that  reads "Service Dog." I believe most people with service animals are legitimate, however there are always a few that abuse the system. Just like the people who have handicapped parking stickers  that are not handicapped. I never let that bother me, since I believe in karma, and karma will eventually come and bite them in the buttocks. 

Similarly, and to have some fun, I too am a service. I am a "Service human" to my dog.  Why not?
I am going to start wearing a vest that says "Service Human."  I can see it now, my dog walking me with a leash and plastic bag in hand just in case I decide to do my business . She will also  be able to  teach  me the proper greeting of smelling another in that special place. 

Now I just need a note from my dogs veterinarian qualifying me as a service human! I am hoping eBay has the vests, if not there'a always Amazon.

http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/guest/service-dogs-and-service-humans/article_515369ae-0003-11e4-9178-001a4bcf887a.html

P.S.
Auntie Maile Kinimaka singing Hanalei on her 75th Birthday party at Kealia beach on Kauai.
"Hau`oli Lā Hānau" Happy Birthday!  Maile was a regular on the old Magnum P.I. TV show starring Tom Selleck. She played Higgin's maid. Just click on YouTube link below!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2RbNBQEKDDE

Hana Hou, (Encore) Shared from Facebook...

"Time to stock the refrigerator..." 'Judith Whitehead' (Inspiration Sunday)

Judith Whitehead lives in Amherst N.Y. and  has worked
in the ophthalmology field of medicine for almost 35 years...

Time to stock the refrigerator

Once again I will have my two men together to celebrate their birthdays.

West coast meet east coast next week. My fellas are turning 30 and 33 yrs old.

I don't know where the time flew by, planning a hibachi feast to celebrate their milestones with some fun and entertaining dinner.  So nice to get everyone together again.

hopefully the weather will be as nice as this week,sunny and hot,off to the grocery store to buy favorite foods....

Hana Hou, (Encore) Shared From Facebook....

"Facebookaholics...." 'James "Kimo" Rosen'

James “Kimo” Rosen is a retired professional photographer living in Kapa'a
 with his best friend Obama Da Dog, Rosen also blogs as a hobby...

Facebookaholics

If a terrorist group ever wants to destroy the spirit and economy of America just figure a way to  permanently dis-figure Facebook. I believe that would be the start of world war 3. 

June 18, 2014 around 10:00 P.M.Hawaiian time while texting on Facebook  everything stopped.

Did I break a Facebook rule? Did I do something to upset the Facebook God's? Or was this a global shutdown? 

It was a global shutdown!

 In the the 20 minutes Facebook was down it is alleged millions in revenues were lost 

 I was so upset that I could not see what my friend from the sixth grade ate for dinner.

Lord help us. What will we do without Facebook and all those annoying posts we can't live without anymore. 

Repeat after me, My name is _________and I am a Facebookaholic.

Hana Hou, (Encore) Shared from Facebook...

"Senior Trying To Set A Password..." 'Marvin Gross' (Source)

Marvin Gross is a Financial consultant currently residing in Western N.Y.
Today Marvin shares  the Alzheimer's test....enjoy!

Senior Trying To Set A Password

 WINDOWS: Please enter your new password.

 USER: cabbage

 WINDOWS: Sorry, the password must be more than 8 characters.

 USER: boiled cabbage

 WINDOWS: Sorry, the password must contain 1 numerical character.

 USER: 1 boiled cabbage

 WINDOWS: Sorry, the password cannot have blank spaces.

 USER: 50bloodyboiledcabbages

 WINDOWS: Sorry, the password must contain at least one upper case character.

 USER: 50BLOODYboiledcabbages

 WINDOWS: Sorry, the password cannot use more than one upper case character consecutively.

 USER: 50BloodyBoiledCabbagesShovedUpYourAssIfYouDon'tGiveMeAccessNow!

 WINDOWS: Sorry, the password cannot contain punctuation.

 USER: ReallyPissedOff50BloodyBoiledCabbagesShovedUpYourAssIfYouDontGiveMeAccessNow

 WINDOWS: Sorry, that password is already in use.

Hana Hou, (Encore) Shared from Facebook....

"Children of the Extinction.." 'Bettejo Dux' (Classic Wednesday)

Bettejo Dux has lived on the cosmic Garden Island of Kaua'i for over 40 years.

Bettejo is a regular opinion writer in the Garden Island news and is the author of the

famed novella, "The Scam."  Her latest fiction

 "Children of extinction" is soon to be  released.

www.bettejodux.com

Children of the Extinction

There  is a river. It's called Amazon.  On that river, the best book I ever wrote,  CHILDREN OF THE EXTINCTION drifts like a golden straw in a torrential library so vast, and overflowing with debris, it  boggles.

When The Scam, my humorous novel, flew to New York in 1985, it snagged a New York Agent. it was  a  fledgling trying its wings in the biggest apple tree in America. In those days my books began on long yellow legal scratched and scarred with lead from loaded pencils,then typed on pristine  sheets of paper on a portable typewriter my husband had taken  to college.  He often  laughed and said I married him because he had one.

Bill  wanted to be the  writer but, turned out, I was. Why I started so late in life-I was 24-is another story. As I advanced through the ranks he bragged to pals I was a budding Dorothy Parker. Most of my first published works were humor. Humor's hard to write, hard to sell, but I was pretty good at it. I got jobs in the writing business, a  Windward side weekly, The Pali Press, then uptown for the Honolulu Star Bulletin/Advertiser Sunday paper.  The two majors jointly published Sunday. I also acted professionally, at the Hilton, where I excelled as a comedian. Love making people laugh.

Then Kauai. One of the loveliest islands in the world. A third world country-sugar was king-with a different idea of what the wife of a department head- a knight at the table- should be. Spout party line.  Don't rock boat. Give and go to parties. Play the game.  I didn't excel at the party/game playing  level and spoke my mind. Neither publishing nor theater was at its peak. Back to writing meant: letters, columns, politics, peace  and environmental criticism. The Garden Island Newspaper-wonderful Editors and staff-became my friends.

After my husband died I self-published The Scam. A timeless, funny piece about hippies in the 60's,  which is why New York didn't publish it. "Wouldn't touch the 60's with a ten foot pole," said they-1985.  Today-2014- they will. The marvelous, good old days remembered. The present plundered. Ripe with blood, corruption and greed.

Which brings us to EXTINCTION. The mess we've made of this planet, this island, is heart breaking stuff.  Today to get published one must first get a NY agent and the odds against that are 30,000 to one. I won't put my horse in that race, but I'm compelled to tell the truth. To write my heart out in a whole new game. Computers. Words on a screen  flashing through cyber like ET through space. Kauai in the future. A future gone bad. An apocalyptic time, "They were the best of men at the worst of times," says the narrator of this sad tale and I'll introduce you to this story, bit by bit. Peopled with characters so real you'll feel you've known them forever. And a search and rescue dog who'll quickly find a way into your hearts.

Bettejo a few years back enjoying
a game of checkers with her nephew.

Hana Hou, (Encore) Shared from Facebook...

"Benefits of Jewish rye bread..." 'Chester "Unc" Lau' (Source)

Dakinetalks favorite Uncle (Chester Lau)

"Unc"  is really passionate about creating a national Caregivers day.

Any help , support or ideas would be greatly appreciated...

'Unc' currently resides on the Hawai'ian Island of Oahu. 
He is a retired cinematographer,
 and  enjoys giving the politicians a bad time...
"Unc" also enjoy's Jewish rye bread!

Benefits of Jewish rye bread

The 87-year-old had just finished his morning 
jog and wasn't even short of breath. The 
80-year-old was amazed at the guy's stamina 
and asked him what he did to have so much energy.

The 87-year-old said, "Well, I eat Jewish rye 
bread every day. It keeps your energy level high and you'll have
great stamina with the ladies. You'll feel like 40 again!"

So, on the way home the 80-year-old stopped at 
the bakery.As he was looking around, the saleslady asked if he needed any help.

He said, "Do you have any Jewish rye bread?"
She said, "Yes, there's a whole shelf of it. Would you like some?"

He said, "I want five loaves."

She said, "My goodness, five loaves! By the 
time you get to the 3rd loaf, it'll be hard."

He replied, "I can't believe everybody knows about this alleged secret but me."

Hana Hou, (Encore) Shared From Facebook...

"NOAH TODAY..." 'Robert Bitos Gandia' (Source)

 Guest-blogger,Robert Bitos Gandia.
Robert is an avid cook (ono gandule rice) and always laughing!!
He works at Syngenta as a Research Associate.
Robert lives in Kekaha on Kauai's west-side and loves football!!

NOAH TODAY

In the year 2013, the Lord came unto Noah, who was now living in Oregon and said:
"Once again, the earth has become evil and I see the end of all flesh before me. Build another Ark and save 2 of every living thing along with a few good humans." He gave Noah the blueprints, saying: "You have 6 months to build the Ark before I will start the unending rain for 40 days and 40 nights."

Six months later, the Lord looked down and saw Noah weeping in his yard - but no Ark. "Noah!" He roared, "I'm about to start the rain! Where is the Ark?" "Forgive me, Lord," begged Noah, "but things have changed."

"I needed a Building Permit."
"I've been arguing with the Boat Inspector
About the need for a sprinkler system."

"My neighbors claim that I've violated the
Neighborhood By-Laws by building the Ark in my back garden and exceeding the height limitations. We had to go to the Local Planning Committee for a decision."

"Then the Local Council and the Electric Company demanded a boat load of money for the future costs of moving power lines and other overhead obstructions, to clear the passage for the Ark's move to the sea. I told them that the sea would be coming to us, but they would hear nothing of it."

"Getting the wood was another problem. There's a ban on cutting local trees in order to save the Greater Spotted Barn Owl. I tried to convince the environmentalists that I needed the wood to save the owls - but no go!"

"When I started gathering the animals the ASPCA took me to court. They insisted that I was confining wild animals against their will. They argued the accommodations were too restrictive, and it was cruel and inhumane to put so many animals in a confined space."

"Then the Environmental Protection Agency ruled that I couldn't build the Ark until they'd conducted an environmental impact study on your proposed flood."

"I'm still trying to resolve a complaint with the Human Rights Commission on how many minorities I'm supposed to hire for my building crew."

"Immigration are checking the Visa status of most of the people who want to work."

"The Trades Unions say I can't use my sons. They insist I have to hire only Union workers with ark-building experience."
"To make matters worse, the Internal Revenue Service seized all my assets, claiming I'm trying to leave the country illegally with endangered species."

"So, forgive me, Lord, but it would take at least 10 years for me to finish this Ark."

"Suddenly the skies cleared, the sun began to shine, and a rainbow stretched across the sky."

Noah looked up in wonder and asked,
"You mean you're not going to destroy the world?"
"No," said the Lord.
" The Government beat me to it."

Hana Hou, (Encore) Shared from Facebook...

"Summer is flying by..." 'Judith Whitehead' (Inspiration Sunday)

Judith Whitehead  lives in Amherst, N.Y. and has
worked in the ophthalmology field of medicine for
over 30 years.

Summer is flying by

Summer is way too short in Buffalo. I can't believe June is quickly moving on into July and the F word will be here before we know it.
Fall that is...

It seems that Winter just drags on and summer months are not long enough. June is packed with holidays, fathers day, family birthdays, traveling celebrations and July just as much fun.

Our wonderful summer weather pushes me even further in a decision to spend more time in the winter in the warmer states.

I look forward to the day when I can say, moving west for the winter just as my parents the snowbirds did for so many years.

I can see now why my parents enjoyed so much going to Florida for the 3-4 most brutal winter months, still trying to make my wishes a reality, some day...

Hana Hou, (Encore) Shared From Facebook...

"A blind man and Five blondes..." 'Obama Da Dog' (Source-Facebook)

Obama Da Dog  would like to share a joke from Facebook...
Obama Da Dog is the best friend of James "Kimo" Rosen...

A blind man and Five blondes

An old blind cowboy wanders into an all-girl biker bar by mistake...

He finds his way to a bar stool and orders a shot of Jack Daniels.

After sitting there for a while, he yells to the bartender, 'Hey, you wanna hear a blonde joke?'

The bar immediately falls absolutely silent.

In a very deep, husky voice, the woman next to him says, 'Before you tell that joke, Cowboy, I think it is only fair, given that you are blind, that you should know five things:

1. The bartender is a blonde girl with a baseball bat.

2. The bouncer is a blonde girl with a 'Billy-Club'.

3. I'm a 6-foot tall, 175-pound blonde woman with a black belt in karate.

4. The woman sitting next to me is blonde and a professional weight lifter.

5. The lady to your right is blonde and a professional wrestler.

'Now, think about it seriously, Cowboy.... Do you still wanna tell that blonde joke?'

The blind cowboy thinks for a second, shakes his head and mutters, 'No...not if I'm gonna have to explain it five times............'

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"Love Boat..." 'Bettejo Dux' (Classic Wednesday)

Bettejo Dux has lived on the cosmic Garden Island of Kaua'i for over 40 years...

Bettejo  is the author of the famed novella, "The Scam."

Her new book "Children of Extinction" will be out soon!

May Darwin bless you!

Love Boat

I’m stuck on the love boat. The emotion is such a powerful one it can be applied to anything. For an example: I love tomato soup. I mean, I love it. So does my digestive system. So do my taste buds. With my lovable VitaMix I can build a tomato soup that never tastes the same way twice.

Those are my taste buds talking, In my new book, Children of the Extinction, the kids do a lot of eating and, as I sit at my computer, I get a raging case of the munchies. Good thing I enjoy non- fattening snacks.

There are loves that strike my ears, too. I love Gaite Parisienne and Joan Baez . I love harps and pipes and the song of the birds. The screech of the parrot, the thunder of a peacock’s voice.

Fragrance? I love Shalimar. My mother always smelled of Shalimar. Her closets. Her dresser drawers. Her bathroom. Your could nose her presence a block away.

For the eyes? I love green plants, tall trees, red flowers. I love blue skies, grey skies, gold skies in the morning, red skies at night. I love moon glow, star shine and rainbow glitter. Ever seen a moon rainbow? ‘They’ say you’re not an Hawaiian until you’ve seen one.

‘They’ say lots of things.

I love ink on paper. Words. I love the English language. I love Vonnegut and Thurber and Sandberg.

What do I love to touch the most? My horse’s thick mane, my dog’s silky ears. I guess, today, what I love most are animals. All animals. The good, the bad and the ugly. A world without animals? Horrors.

I recall a debate as to whether animals have souls. It’s an interesting idea to a devout non-believer-who does not ‘believe’ in souls, but who does know, if there is such a thing, animals have one, too.

Gary Zukov,of all people, one of the finest interpreters of frontier science, believes animals have collective souls. His Seat of the Soul is a “readable , thought provoking (work) on how our perceptions must change dramatically if we are to survive.” If you have a curious, loving mind I hope you find and read it.

What I do know from years of observation? From an open mind that can look and ask questions and not get totally lost in the god/no god thing? Loving all animals, that’s us, too, is a good idea.. Our closest living relative is the chimp. We can exchange blood- providing our type is the same, of course- and that, to me, a devout non believer is a wonderful thing to think. I love that we’re related to this incredible creature.

I hope all of you reading this will share with me this love. Will love all animals on this planet. Even us guys.

The essence is all about love. The love of life. Be thankful you’re a living thing on such a beautiful planet. Let’s hope greedy, lesser minds do not destroy it.

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"Discipline gone viral..." 'James "Kimo" Rosen' (Kimo's world #20)

James “Kimo” Rosen is a retired professional photographer living in Kapa'a
 with his best friend Obama Da Dog, Rosen also blogs as a hobby...

This blog ran in my column called Kimo's world in the
 Kaua'i Garden Island news on 06-16-14 "Discipline gone viral."
Please click recommend if you can find the recommend icon. The link is below; 
http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/guest/discipline-gone-viral/article_c25b51fe-f507-11e3-b9ba-001a4bcf887a.html

Discipline gone viral...

A convicted felon goes free for allegedly raping a 14 year old since DNA stolen from evidence room makes it impossible to convict...

Hung jury let's alleged murderer go free...

Bank robber trial ends in mistrial. Robber goes home...

Meanwhile,A Kauai man was given probation and a fine in 5th Circuit Court for punishing his son by making him walk a mile for not answering his questions — a form of discipline a judge called “old school” and no longer appropriate."

Kilaue'a resident Robert DeMond pleaded no contest to endangering the welfare of a minor in lieu of a court trial.He was sentenced to a one-year probation, a $200 fine and to a child parenting class for a misdemeanor charge of second-degree endangering the welfare of a minor.

Reporter extraordinaire Tom LaVenture of the Garden Island news penned the article that went viral to many national news networks and social media outlets worldwide, as comment boards around the world lit up.

The story was about a Kaua'i judge and prosecutor that may have gone a little overboard and a father just trying to teach one of his three boys a lesson after the child misbehaved in school.

If my parents were alive today they would most likely be in jail or on probation with most other parents of their era.

Murderers, robbers and rapists go free. A man disciplining his child gets fined and probation.

The parents of the baby boomers, the post world war 2 parents, my parents were some of the best parents in the world. Back then you could spank , even belt your kids. I remember friends of mine having to clean their fathers car with a toothbrush, it took all day to clean.

I was belted, spanked, pinched, hit and grounded. Many parents and even the schools would use a wooden paddle board to spank and discipline out of control children.

If the parents and teachers of my generation were around today many would be sitting in jail with serial killers, rapists, junkies and murderers.


The general consensus with comment boards around the world was the court system messed up and the father should be able to discipline his own child by walking home from school.

Enclosed are some of the more interesting comments from the Garden Island News comments section.

"Here come da judge!" "Here come da prosecutor!"

"I'm sure the courts have more important things to do than prosecute a father who actually wants to father his child. I'd rather do jail time than have a judge who is clueless tell me how I will parent my child."

"I think we've Become a Nation of Cowards Fools & Sheep -
we won't let boys climb trees - skate - God Forbid they f
all down & cut themselves."

"According to other reports, the father returned to check on the child, only to realize the child was missing. A short time later he learned a neighbor picked up the boy and called police."
"So the moron known as a judge punishes the father yet lets neighbor off for child abduction?"

"The prosecutor and judge got this one wrong. Kudos to the father for disciplining his son!! The fact that this even went to court at all is nuts! Walking one mile home from school at age 8 is acceptable in my book."

"This judge needs to be investigated. The father's probation dropped. And the child should have a long list of chores."

"The adventures of Tommy LaVenture!" Keep up the Great work Mr. LaVenture!" I hope you have many more of your writings go viral, TGI is blessed to have you!"

Finally,FOX News reports, "Punish your child in a manner that meets the disapproval of Judge Kathleen Watanabe and face not only a fine, but also probation. Talk about big government gone wild!"

References;
http://www.tpnn.com/2014/05/30/you-wont-believe-what-got-this-father-fined-and-sentenced/

http://khon2.com/2014/05/29/kauai-father-explains-why-he-made-his-son-walk-a-mile-home/

http://thegardenisland.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/father-punished-for-old-school-discipline/article_74fc9c34-e705-11e3-b1ea-001a4bcf887a.html

Check out my column in today's (06-16-14) Kaua'i Garden Island news; "Discipline gone viral. "
Please click recommend if you can find the recommend icon. The link is below; 
http://thegardenisland.com/news/opinion/guest/discipline-gone-viral/article_c25b51fe-f507-11e3-b9ba-001a4bcf887a.html


P.S.
Blog #1312--- By popular demand it is being re-posted! "Discipline gone viral..!"
it's being riposted to save time, since I had a scheduled retraction at the dentist  office today, however I had a meltdown after being prepped and told the dentist I needed time... He was the coolest and nicest guy, and assured me he wanted me to be comfortable. We rescheduled and hopefully I can handle it next time. In the mean time here we go... 
Hana Hou, (Encore) Shared From Facebook..

.

"HAPPY FATHERS DAY..." 'Judith Whitehead' (Inspiration Sunday!)

Judith Whitehead celebrating fathers day with her father, Bert Meyers.
Judith Whitehead lives in Amherst N.Y.and has worked in the
ophthalmology filed of medicine for over 35 years.

HAPPY FATHERS DAY

Once again children, families and dads are getting ready to celebrate this well known holiday this weekend. 

 We celebrate this holiday in many diverse ways, many of us do picnics, dinners, and get together's in many ways to show dad our appreciation for all his love and help throughout the year.

 My dad, God love him, is turning 95 and even though his memory is not serving him as well as it used to and he is no longer mobile .We will still l bring Fathers day to him.  Our immediate family will make a picnic dinner and bring all the fixins to him at his nursing home.  He  still enjoy our get together's and listening to all the chatter amongst our family; even though he doesn't talk much any longer, he can still enjoy being surrounded by family. Mothers Day, Fathers Day...all gatherings for the same reason...bring family together and celebrate the families that we all have and love. 

 Dads and Moms aren't perfect but they still try...not an easy job to accomplish these days...so give Dad a thrill this weekend and give of your time..it;s the most meaningful gift you can share.

Hana Hou, (Encore) Shared from Facebook...

        

"A teacher learns from a student..." Obama Da Dog (Source)

Obama Da Dog shares another compelling story from the Internet...

A touching story;
A teacher learns from a student

As she stood in front of her 5th grade class on the very first day of school, she told the children an untruth. Like most teachers, she looked at her students and said that she loved them all the same. However, that was impossible, because there in the front row, slumped in his seat, was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard.

Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed that he did not play well with the other children, that his clothes were messy and that he constantly needed a bath. In addition, Teddy could be unpleasant.

It got to the point where Mrs. Thompson would actually take delight in marking his papers with a broad red pen, making bold X's and then putting a big "F" at the top of his papers.

At the school where Mrs. Thompson taught, she was required to review each child's past records and she put Teddy's off until last. However, when she reviewed his file, she was in for a surprise.

Teddy's first grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is a bright child with a ready laugh. He does his work neatly and has good manners... he is a joy to be around.."

His second grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is an excellent student, well liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle."

His third grade teacher wrote, "His mother's death has been hard on him. He tries to do his best, but his father doesn't show much interest and his home life will soon affect him if some steps aren't taken."

Teddy's fourth grade teacher wrote, "Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school. He doesn't have many friends and he sometimes sleeps in class."

By now, Mrs. Thompson realized the problem and she was ashamed of herself. She felt even worse when her students brought her Christmas presents, wrapped in beautiful ribbons and bright paper, except for Teddy's. His present was clumsily wrapped in the heavy, brown paper That he got from a grocery bag Mrs. Thompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents. Some of the children started to laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing, and a bottle that was one-quarter full of perfume.. But she stifled the children's laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on, and dabbing some of the perfume on her wrist. Teddy Stoddard stayed after school that day just long enough to say, "Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like my Mom used to." After the children left, she cried for at least an hour.

On that very day, she quit teaching reading, writing and arithmetic. Instead, she began to teach children. Mrs. Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy. As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded. By the end of the year, Teddy had become one of the smartest children in the class and, despite her lie that she would love all the children the same, Teddy became one of her "teacher's pets.."

A year later, she found a note under her door, from Teddy, telling* her that she was still the best teacher he ever had in his whole life.

Six years went by before she got another note from Teddy. He then wrote that he had finished high school, third in his class, and she was still the best teacher he ever had in life.

Four years after that, she got another letter, saying that while things had been tough at times, he'd stayed in school, had stuck with it, and would soon graduate from college with the highest of honors. He assured Mrs. Thompson that she was still the best and favorite teacher he had ever had in his whole life.

Then four more years passed and yet another letter came. This time he explained that after he got his bachelor's degree, he decided to go a little further. The letter explained that she was still the best and favorite teacher he ever had. But now his name was a little longer.... The letter was signed, Theodore F. Stoddard, MD.

The story does not end there. You see, there was yet another letter that spring. Teddy said he had met this girl and was going to be married. He explained that his father had died a couple of years ago and he was wondering if Mrs. Thompson might agree to sit at the wedding in the place that was usually reserved for the mother of the groom.

Of course, Mrs. Thompson did. And guess what? She wore that bracelet, the one with several rhinestones missing. Moreover, she made sure she was wearing the perfume that Teddy remembered his mother wearing on their last Christmas together.

They hugged each other, and Dr. Stoddard whispered in Mrs. Thompson's ear, "Thank you Mrs. Thompson for* believing in me. Thank you so much for making me feel important and showing me that I could make a difference."

Mrs. Thompson, with tears in her eyes, whispered back. She said, "Teddy, you have it all wrong. You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference. I didn't know how to teach until I met you."

(For you that don't know, Teddy Stoddard is the Dr. at Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines that has the Stoddard Cancer Wing.)

Warm someone's heart today. . . pass this along. I love this story so very much, I cry every time I read it. Just try to make a difference in someone's life today? tomorrow? Just "do it".

Random acts of kindness, I think they call it?

"Believe in Angels, then return the favor." 

Pay it forward!

Hana Hou, (Encore) Shared from Facebook...