I like being in touch with my emotions and every-so-often open 'em up to full throttle. I think if you're in touch with your emotions you react more honestly to situations than you would if you're numb to the world. I also believe that people who feel with their heart and soul are much more alive inside. Some people have lost their reason for being along the way and don't even know it. I love heartfelt stories, ones that touch my soul so deeply that it makes me cry and/or change my habits. Here are some that have come across my path.  I really do hope you enjoy these stories.

  I wrote a Valentine's Day letter to my daughters. I wanted to let them know how I felt about them. Even though they received the same letter they are exquisite women in their own right with individual gifts that they give the world. They are in my thoughts all the time. I wanted to give them a gift of us together. The hokey song I mention in the last paragraph is "You and Me Against the World" by Helen Reddy. I thought I'd share this letter here because it's what I believe.

  This story really gets to me. How many times has your child given you something that is so utterly destroyed in terms of any use or beauty but the look on their face in giving it to you lights up the world and melts your heart? I hope you kept it.

  At this moment, there is a stray cat whom I've named Bob, eating his breakfast at the bottom of the steps outside my front door. This morning I gave him wet food along with the regular dry food and laid out a towel where he can sit while eating. It's been raining hard for two days and I'm pretty sure that he hasn't eaten in that time because he came up to the front porch while the door was wide open. He usually doesn't do that. I wish I could scoop him up and hug him, but he won't let me. He's friends with my cat Chloe and that's good enough for me. I also know that I will always be safe from any rats or mice. This story Ugly, is for him.

  This is one of those stories that a lot of people seem to know about. When you mention it, their response is, "Oh, I like that story!" and they get kind of a glazed look over their face. It's written by Max Lucado. It's a favorite of mine and I thought I'd share it with you just in case you'd like to read it again, or read it for the first time.

Different Drum          Linda Ronstadt