Family

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Freda Douglas had an autobiographical-history book “Cherish the Past” published in 2002, has her second book of fiction “Winds of Change” ready for the printer and has her third book on the front burner. She also wrote a weekly personal essay column for 17 years for a local newspaper. Freda lives alone with her cat Jewely and loves to hear from her readers

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I am a sentimental human being. I cry at funerals. Normal. But I even cry at weddings, and I had two wonderful marriages. I guess you could say I loved them to death since both of them preceded me in death.

I was reading an email from Simple Truths on the computer that lead me to their website about a boy with Downs Syndrome who made a lot of customers in a store happy with his acts of kindness. Yes, I cried when I read the story and I’m crying as I write this. I told you I am sentimental.

The story was told by Barbara Glanz, and as I perused the rest of the website (www.simpletruths.com ) I noticed Barbara had a book available “The Simple Truths of Appreciation” and right then I had an inspiration or as some people would call it an ah-ha moment. I picked up the phone and ordered the book for my best friend in appreciation
of all the little things she does for me every day.

The book came today, and of course I had to read it first before I gave it to her. Reading it made
me think. How many times do we think to say to the bag boy who carried your groceries out to the car “Thanks. You were a big help.” If it was hot out today, did you think to offer your mail carrier a glass of cool water to drink? If you played golf today, did you think to give your caddie a pat on the back AND a smile for a job well done. It wasn’t his fault you boogied that hole on the ninth.

How long has it been since you invited an elderly neighbor to church with you? The next time you bake cookies why not share them with a shut-in? Do you have a neighbor in a convalescent home? How long since you visited and caught them up with neighborhood news?

Those of us who are well or well cared for tend to forget the forgotten, the unfortunate, the lonely, the poor (not necessarily in money), the sick and the sick at heart. A smile, a handshake and a few pleasant words might make the difference between daylight and darkness for those forgottens in our life.

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Now to keep you current with my daily goings-on you are invited to read my frequent blogs at www.fredabd.wordpress.com. You are also invited to visit one or more of my business websites. They will tell you basically the same thing in different format and perspective. I am giving you a choice because we all like different methods when it comes to learning. www.mymangosteen.com/fredabd - read, listen, even buy a bottle if you wish. http://createmysuccess.com/marc/webinar tells the story by voice and picture.

Freda Douglas, P. O. Box 155, Eva, AL 35621, [email protected], Phone 256-796-0651
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