[lovsthosebigdogs]

BTW, thank you Gracie. I love a thread that makes you reflect on the good in the world.

[shcisamax]

Next? Who else has some great stuff to contribute!

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by lovsthosebigdogs

I had a wonderful day today. I do pet therapy visits for children when they give depositions for abuse. I took my dog Luca today and a young girl told me that she was afraid to come, but after spending time with my dog she wasn't afraid any more and he made her feel very brave. She said that he told her she would be okay. I never heard him say a word but I know that he is very wise and a wonderful patient, sweet dog so I am sure he told her something. The most important thing, and the reason I do this, is that that little girl left feeling better and safer than when she arrived. Sometimes it feels good to know you make a difference in this world, one person at a time.

What a wonderful, uplifting story, LTBD. I can't wait to meet your dogs in June and see what can be done here with all the good things dogs do. You and Luca are my inspiration.

[Vill01talk]

Watch a Virginia Tech football game.... especially on a Thursday night between 3rd and 4th quarter... they do the Hokie Pokie on the field...Great fun! We are new down here and not sure about television coverage of the ACC...

[shcisamax]

BTW: I know people still do the hanky panky but does anyone do the hokey pokey anymore?

[bkcunningham1]

I love all the stories so far and look forward to more. Here's mine. We had friends who moved from TV back to Massachusetts last July. Within a month of their move back up north, he found out he has inoperable esophageal cancer that has spread to his stomach, pancreas and lungs. They are back in TV this weekend to visit "us"-my husband and me and a handful of other couples and people who have bonded over the past five years and become lifelong friends.

We met at the Hilltop swimming pool where we all gathered at night to swim, laugh, talk, eat, drink, dance and share our lives. Coming back to TV and telling us goodbye is part of his bucket list. We had lunch with him and his wife yesterday and they came out to Fiesta Bowl this afternoon to watch my husband and others he loves bowl. We are gathering at Katie Belles, God willing, for brunch on Sunday.

It is ripping my heart apart and mending my soul all at the same time. To think of being part of a community, a group, a world where someone who was a stranger five years ago wants to hold us one last time and kiss us goodbye is quiet an overwhelming honor. It is taking my breath and giving me inspiration all at the same time.

This season of our lives here in The Villages has been amazing, exciting and full of blessings. We're grateful to have met some of the best of humanity and look forward to what God has in store for us tomorrow. Life is good. Peace to you Gracie. I count you are one of my blessings. No one has a promise of tomorrow. Be kind to each other and don't forget to smile at strangers. Life is but a vapor that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away....sort of like a ripple in the swimming pool. I'm glad we jumped in the water here.

[manaboutown]

One day several years ago when I was feeling grumpy and down I went to the gym anyway, got on the treadmill and started to exercise. I thought to myself: "What do I have to be grateful for?" After 10 or twenty steps a thought came to mind, a few steps later another, then they started coming, one after another, rapidly, almost one a step!

So, anymore, what I do when I am feeling down is reflect on what I am grateful for.

Every night before she goes to bed a lady I know writes down five things she is grateful for that day. She sleeps peacefully.

BTW, hokey-pokey is a flavor of ice cream in New Zealand, honeycomb toffee, I believe.

[Happinow]

I'm so happy that when I feel down I picture my little grand daughter in my mind and it makes me smile. I'm so happy that my husband is my rock and I could never live without him. I'm so happy that spring is just around the corner....hopefully!