  Spiritual
This week: Moment in Time--Lifetime of Friendships Edited by: Sssssh! I'm not really here.  
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Taking time to really enjoy your surroundings and those that make it so special is very important, especially in our busy worlds with a multitude of distractions placed before us. We do find those little gems -- gifts, really, when we least expect them. Let's take a look ...
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Hello, folks, it is I Web~Witch, as your guest editor for this edition of the Spiritual Newsletter. As always, it is my honor and privilege to be here with all of you.  Wow, it's been a while since we've had a chance to visit!
I am certain that you've all experienced times when you met interesting people, while on vacation. You think to yourself, wow, I like that couple, they are down to earth and make me feel at home when I am in their company. Then, the vacation ends and all parties go their separate ways, with promises to write or call or make plans; same time, same place, the following year.
Yup, I can see you nodding as you read this. The year goes by, neither one of you wanted to make the first move to cement the new friendship. Whether it be shyness, insecurities about how they really feel about you or just plain too busy at the time and just put it off for another day. However, that day doesn't come because the next time you allow yourself to bring up all of those good memories of the vacation spent with the person or couple, you really clicked with, too much time has passed to comfortably dare to make the first move.
Believe me, I understand acutely how easily time slips away. I recently started to think about this wonderful, elderly couple that WL and I met, by chance, while passing through the picturesque state of Wisconsin. We had been on the road for hours, returning leisurely from my daughter's wedding in Colorado. We were so impressed with the natural beauty that each state owns. I never want to hear those words, "fly-over-country," because to make such a blanket statement without seeing more of a particular state than the airport, does your spirit a great injustice. It is also being disrespectful to the proud citizens who live there. It is a smear based solely on its geographical location and pure snobbery. That's unfair!
I was amazed at how huge the sky was while driving through Kansas. I used to think it was a place I could go a lifetime without seeing. Shame on me! It was such a beautiful sunset that seemed to go on forever. However, I digress. I'll save some of those interesting details in another newsletter. 
The thing is, WL and I passed through some lovely, country roads that had so much character, we couldn't help but continue on the long route, rather than jump on the super-highway. We turned down the street that led to a tiny town, consisting of a gas station/convenience store and that's about it. However, across the street from that little "rest stop," was a blast from the past. We saw an antique, wooden garage, with collectibles of all kinds, set-up to resemble one of the very early gas stations. The pumps were colored bright red, tubular shaped with nothing that resembles digital anything, that we've become so used to these days. It was a showcase, not used, just there. There were old, metal signs declaring the gas sold, such as "Esso."
WL was so impressed, he turned back to the convenience store and asked who owned the old replica display. We were given the directions to the home of the couple that owned the faux garage.
The minute we pulled into the old farm road and parked in their driveway, we felt such a connection with these interesting collectors. You see, we also are habitual "pickers" of collectibles and antiques.
This lovely, elderly couple came out to greet us, offered us iced tea and a chance to sit on their expansive porch and talk about the old days.
Folks, it was one of the best highlights of the whole trip.  We'd spent hours sipping tea and peeking at all of their marvelous collections. Those are the things that bring people together. It's a commonality, a similar respect for certain things, views and ways of living. Those are the ingredients leading to special friendships.
We left their lovely farmhouse that day with a fresh outlook about strangers. Sometimes, you just click with people who live far away but remain close in your heart.
Will we be inclined to take another trip to that countryside of Wisconsin again, with no need to pass through the state because of other obligations? You bet we would, in a sun-filled, minute! Have we ever opened our door to travelers who came to our home? You bet we have!
A few summers ago, a strange car pulled into our driveway. A man came knocking at our front door exclaiming that he used to live it our home when he was an exchange student, many, many years ago. We were intrigued and asked him if he would like to come inside to refresh his youthful memories. He said he'd love to take us up on the offer, but, he had a car-full of family with him. Yes, folks, we invited the whole family into our air conditioned home and gave them a tour of the house.
Included in the group were an older couple, celebrating their fiftieth anniversary, their two adult grandchildren, the "exchange student," and his wife. Since it was such a festive day for the couple, we asked if they would like to have some wine. We sat at the dining room table, sipping wine, munching on cheese and crackers and assorted fruits and nuts. It was the perfect mini-meal for the travelers who came all the way from Columbia, South America.
Only a couple of them could speak English, but after a few minutes the comfort zone was there. We all communicated quite easily with one another and laughed and toasted the afternoon away. One of the younger ones chose soft drinks instead, as he was their driver for the day.
We exchanged phone numbers and email addresses with them and said our goodbyes. One of the young adults forgot an envelope, with all of his traveling papers and emailed us a couple hours later.  We overnight-mailed them to the relative's home where they were staying while on vacation. They were grateful and very relieved.
A couple of weeks later, WL and I received a gift of a book in the mail. It was an author from his country that he wanted us to get to know. He thanked us for our hospitality and invited us to be their guests in Columbia.
So, folks, you just never know who you will meet, either on your vacation or theirs. It's totally up to you if you take the leap of faith that will allow such memorable connections to last a lifetime.
I am dedicating this Newsletter, to my very dear friend, Bryce. He lost his fight with cancer, recently. I will miss him. However, I am happy he is no longer suffering. Rest in peace, Bryce.
It's a wrap for this edition of the Spiritual Newsletter.
Until next time, open your door and your heart to some good people who will become even better friends, with just a little bit of trust.
Regards,
Web~Witch
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"Of sunsets and rainbows and good friends, like you"
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Do you believe in soul-mates?
I miss my beloved friend, also.
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Loss is suffered in different ways.
An inspirational look at friendship ...
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The "Friend-ship" sails forward!
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True friendship endures.
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Amen to this ...
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Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
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ANN Counselor, Lesbian & Happy 
Editor: I love your editorial today.
Thank you so much. I certainly appreciate that.
Incurable Romantic
WW, the Serenity Prayer. Have you ever seen the full text of it? It goes well beyond the commonly held "last line" of "... and the wisdom to know the difference." It doesn't end there. If you've never seen the full test, let me know and I'll bring my office copy home and send a copy to you. - Jim
You are correct, Jim. There is so much more to it. I used the one specific part in a particular Newsletter, for the title. Readers picked-up on the prayer and elaborated in their comments. I have looked-up the prayer's creation and use. Although associated with the organization, now, It was around before it was "adopted" by AA. 
GRAMPA ED
W-W.
Enjoyed this article a lot. Yes I have tried to help over the years and find that I am at the wrong place at the wrong time, or a dollar short. Now I try to only feed the elderly and children and help kids with cancer through Christian organizations. I also find out it is better for MY health, because I get too involved.
Grampa Ed
You are a true, angel on earth, Grampa Ed.  God bless you! You are also right about feeling better. You spread happiness and it comes back to you.
Poppy Moss
Having experienced very similar traumatic incidents as yourself over the past 18 months. I have found that by your sharing them with us, it gets rid of that 'why has all this been happening to me syndrome'? I hadn't quite fallen into it, but I was on the verge. Thank you for reminding me that it can only get better.
Poppy
It does get better, Poppy. I mean, you still have things that need resolving and can be an irritation. Keeping it on a lower shelf rather than glaring you in the eye, trying to taunt you to be miserable, is one way of coping. It will be resolved in time. How much stress you to afford it is totally up to you. I'd rather look toward the positive result rather than the negative resentment of having to deal with it while in a state of anger. You also stay healthier that way! 
drjim
WW, there comes a time in Life where we find ourselves not at one...nor two...but THREE crossroads! What would people think if I said the three x-roads are physical, emotional & spiritual? Exactly. My thoughts on this NL was that - as usual - you write them so adroitly, with feeling and in such ways that others can identify with them with greatest of ease! Keep writing WW, keep writing! From: The One Whom The Disclaimer was Disclaimed for!!
Thank you, my sweet man!  (My love, for any of my readers who don't already know this. He is fondly know as "Web-Lock," in my Comedy Newsletters. )
Jessette 
Hello to anyone, To be a powerful person, we must spent our time in praying to God for us to know his will, and for us to become more victorious in life, prayer is our greatest weapon to make us powerful. So, don't miss to spent time praying. There is a saying that a prayerful christian is powerful christian a prayerless christian is a powerless christian. The Bible says do not stop in praying until you find the answer from God.
I can't find fault with that. Your words are very wise. Thank you for your feedback.
embe
"When in doubt,trust in God"
Regardless of Circumstance
trying to live life your way,
do you assume you know it all
when praying a prayer to God?
Never harming a living soul
within a heart to love for life,
always there with faith alone
until the hour of grief in pain.
Anxious, worried, will we die
our questions asked to believe.
Will God come from nowhere
because it wasn't anywhere
for him to come anyway,
standing on nothing at all
reaching out to touch it,
something into nothing
and telling it to stay there,
until he could catch it
the nothing he could catch,
with anybody around
to say anything to him,
for humankind to feel it
crying ashamed in silence.
"Will we see God's miracle
if we search our planet?"
"Mere mortals you can't see
until you control your life,
living it my way, every day,
regardless of circumstance!"
It's a perfect ending to the feedback part of the Newsletter, Embe. Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful poem with us. You reach deep into the soul and are able to place your philosophic words to print so the reader understands them.  
Submitted items:
"Invalid Item"
The item I just wrote this week fits your editorial very well. Ann
"Elegy to Imagination"
Life has its hard roads. You just need the courage to face them.
Thank you, folks, for all of your feedback. We editors really appreciate it.
See you next time I have the honor of being your Spiritual Newsletter editor.
WW
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Spiritual: August 31, 2011 Issue [#4586]
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