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WITandWISDOM(tm) - November 24, 2005 ISSN 1538-8794 ~~~~~~~ THOUGHTS: Great success is commoner that great abilities. – Luc de Clapiers de vauvenargues, 1715 – 1747 Source: The Most Brilliant Thoughts of All Time, Edited by John M. Shanahan, Copyright © 1999, http://isbn.nu/0060194111 ~~~~~~~ SPECIAL THOUGHTS: Thanksgiving Day was near. The first grade teacher gave her class a fun assignment -- to draw a picture of something for which they were thankful. Most of the class might be considered economically disadvantaged, but still many would celebrate the holiday with turkey and other traditional goodies of the season. These, the teacher thought, would be the subjects of most of her student's art. And they were. But Douglas made a different kind of picture. Douglas was a different kind of boy. He was the teacher's true child of misery, frail and unhappy. As other children played at recess, Douglas was likely to stand close by her side. One could only guess at the pain Douglas felt behind those sad eyes. Yes, his picture was different. When asked to draw a picture of something for which he was thankful, he drew a hand. Nothing else. Just an empty hand. His abstract image captured the imagination of his peers. Whose hand could it be? One child guessed it was the hand of a farmer, because farmers raise turkeys. Another suggested a police officer, because the police protect and care for people. Still others guessed it was the hand of God, for God feeds us. And so the discussion went -- until the teacher almost forgot the young artist himself. When the children had gone on to other assignments, she paused at Douglas' desk, bent down, and asked him whose hand it was. The little boy looked away and murmured, "It's yours, teacher." She recalled the times she had taken his hand and walked with him here or there, as she had the other students. How often had she said, "Take my hand, Douglas, we'll go outside." Or, "Let me show you how to hold your pencil." Or, "Let's do this together." Douglas was most thankful for his teacher's hand. Brushing aside a tear, she went on with her work. The story speaks of more than thankfulness. It says something about teachers teaching and parents parenting and friends showing friendship, and how much it means to the Douglases of the world. They might not always say thanks. But they'll remember the hand that reaches out. Author Unknown Submitted by The North Family ~~~~~~~ THIS & THAT: Seven Things To Be Thankful For for automatic dishwashers. They make it possible to get out of the kitchen before the family come in for their after-dinner snacks. for husbands who attack small repair jobs around the house. They usually make them big enough to call in professionals. for the bathtub -- the one place the family allows Mom some time to herself. for children who put away their things and clean up after themselves. They're such a joy you hate to see them go home to their own parents. for gardening. It's a relief to deal with dirt outside the house for a change. for teenagers. They give parents an opportunity to learn a second language. for smoke alarms. They let you know when the turkey's done. Source: Illustrations, http://www.cybersaltlists.org ~~~~~~~ KEEP SMILING: At my parents' 50th wedding anniversary, my Dad was reminiscing about their courtship and marriage. "We didn't have much money," he told us, "and I had to decide whether to buy a new tire for the car or a marriage license." After a pause he continued, "I think I made a good investment, because the tire wouldn't have lasted 50 years." Submitted by Lorraine ~~~~~~~ TRIVIA: Man Sued For Grandson's Downloads The Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) has sued a man for his grandson's illegal downloads. The 12-year-old downloaded four movies from a peer-to-peer service. The MPAA is seeking as much as $600,000. http://tinyurl.com/ct43y Copyright 2005, The Kim Komando Show. All rights reserved. Kim Komando's News of the Day http://www.komando.com/newsletter.asp