Snder: jpodlesn(a)postoffice.onu.edu
>>>> >The Trouble Tree
>>>>> I hired a carpenter to help me restore an old farmhouse, and after
>>>>>he had just finished a rough first day on the job. A flat tire made
>>>>him
>>>>>lose an hour of work, his electric saw quit, and now his ancient
>>>>pickup
>>>>>truck refused to start. While I drove him home, he sat in stony
>>>>silence.
>>>>> On arriving, he invited me in to meet his family. As we walked
>>>>>toward the front door, he paused briefly at a small tree, touching
>>>>tips of
>>>>>the branches with both hands. When opening the door, he underwent an
>>>>>amazing transformation. His tanned face was wreathed in smiles and he
>>>>hugged
>>>>>his two small children and gave his wife a kiss.
>>>>> Afterward he walked me to the car. We passed the tree and my
>>>>>curiosity got the better of me. I asked him about what I had seen
him
>>>>do
>>>>>earlier.
>>>>>"Oh, that's my trouble tree," he replied. "I know
I can't help
>>>>>having troubles on the job, but one thing's for sure, troubles
don't
>>>>belong
>>>>>in the house with my wife and the children. So I just hang
>>>>>them up on the tree every night when I come home.
>>>>> Then in the morning I pick them up again."
>>>>>"Funny thing is," he smiled, "when I come out in the
morning to pick
>>>>>'em up, there aren't nearly as many as I remember hanging up
the night
>>>>>before."
>>>>> THIS ONE IS WORTH SENDING ON...
>>>>
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Betty @bksheets(a)usit.net
GATHERING OF THE PAST
http://members.tripod.com/~TENNESSEESUE/index.html