
Kelly was a very wealthy Hollywood actress, who was used to a posh lifestyle. She lived in a multimillion dollar home in Beverly Hills. She had all sorts of people she paid to do things for her, such as her personal chef, her aerobics trainer, her gardener, her maid and her masseuse. She spared no expense to take care of her wants and needs.
Kelly was a great actress and had been nominated several times for Golden Globes and Academy Awards. She seemed to have everything she wanted.
In spite of losing her mother at a very young age, she had a very loving father and sister. Her Dad ensured that both of his girls got a great education. He also was very supportive of their career moves. Kelly had always wanted to be an actress. Her sister, Sarah, had always wanted to be a scientist.
Sarah drove from where she worked, at Jet Propulsion Laboratory, to her sister's home.
It was Kelly's birthday and she invited dozens of celebrities, ranging from actors to musicians. Each guest took turns giving Kelly her extravagant gifts, such as gold-plated picture frames, modern expensive artwork and items from Hong Kong. It was time for Sarah, her sister, to give Kelly her birthday present. She handed Kelly a brand new photo album. Kelly said jokingly, "A photo album, Sarah? Do you know how many photo albums I have? I don't have enough pictures to fill all my photo albums."
Sarah knew her sister's sarcastic humor and took the comment in stride. She finally said, "Open the album, sister." "But-" "OPEN the album, Kelly," Sarah said with conviction.
Kelly opened the photo album. There were many photos of an attractive woman and a handsome man in their mid-thirties next to two girls. Both girls appeared to be less than ten years old.
Kelly's mouth slowly started to open rather widely as if she had been transformed on the spot. She began to weep as tears of love ran down her face. She stared at the first page of pictures for several minutes. She finally said softly, "It's Mom." She couldn't say anything more for another few minutes as she turned the page. The room was silent. The next page contained pictures of her mother, father, Sarah and her at the Grand Canyon. "Our last trip together," Kelly said even more softly. She couldn't hold back the running tears, which were now like Niagara Falls. The people in the room started to cry as well. Most of them knew that Kelly lost her mother at a very young age.
"Where did you get these?" Kelly asked Sarah. "These are absolutely priceless." "Dad found them in the attic. I had the same reaction as you. I had a photoshop restore many of the pictures and make several copies. I had to make an album for you and me. It's the least I could do for Mom," exclaimed Sarah. "Do you remember the hike along the Colorado River?" Kelly asked Sarah. "She was so mad when we jumped in the river." Both sisters hugged each other. Sarah was now crying as much as Kelly. Both sisters' tears were tears of embrace and loyalty. They both adored one another.
After about an hour of reminiscing with each other and the guests who surrounded them, Kelly said, "Sarah, this is the greatest birthday present anyone could ever give me. Thank you."
North Notes is a writing and researching company, which primarily helps writers gain focus, motivation, remove mental blocks that help to unblock the writing process. EVERYONE who writes has been stuck at some point in his or her career. You do not have to accept these mind-boggling roadblocks!
(586) 216-7516
AP - Ill. Gov. Rod Blagojevich's office has blasted the impeachment proceedings as "flawed" and "biased."
AP - Vice President Dick Cheney said Thursday that he sees no reason for President George W. Bush to pre-emptively pardon anyone at the CIA involved in harsh interrogations of suspected terrorists. "I don't have any reason to believe that anybody in the agency did anything illegal," he said.
AP - Key Arab nations and Western powers reached agreement Thursday on a U.N. resolution calling for an immediate and durable cease-fire between Hamas militants and Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip and moved for an immediate vote in the Security Council.
AP - President-elect Barack Obama's proposed tax cuts ran into opposition Thursday from senators in his own party who said they wouldn't do much to stimulate the economy or create jobs. Senators from both parties agreed that Congress should do something to stimulate the economy. But Democratic senators emerging from a private meeting of the Senate Finance Committee criticized business and individual tax cuts in Obama's stimulus plan.
AP - President-elect Barack Obama implored Congress on Thursday to "act boldly and act now" to fix an economy growing perilously weaker. Leading lawmakers set an informal goal of mid-February for enacting tax cuts and government spending that could cost as much as $1 trillion.
AP - The many Bernard Madoff investors who withdrew money from their accounts over the years are now wrestling with an ethical and legal quandary.
AP - In grainy cell-phone videos played over and over on the Internet, police officers force an unarmed black man to the ground and hold him face-down on a crowded train platform. Suddenly one of the officers draws his gun and fatally shoots the man in the back then looks up.
AP - The Oklahoma Sooners and the Florida Gators meet tonight for the BCS championship. It's a matchup that includes a pair of Heisman Trophy winners, an SEC vs. Big 12 debate and more than its share of trash talk.
Reuters - Recovery teams ventured into battlegrounds of the Gaza Strip on Thursday to gather bodies from the rubble, and Hamas officials said the Palestinian toll in Israel's 13 day-old offensive rose to 765 dead.
Reuters - President-elect Barack Obama warned on Thursday the U.S. economy could stay mired in recession for years without bold action and he urged lawmakers to work day and night to pass a massive stimulus plan.
Reuters - Financial giant Citigroup Inc will support a proposal in Congress to rewrite U.S. bankruptcy law to help troubled mortgage borrowers avoid foreclosure, Chief Executive Vikram Pandit said on Thursday.
Reuters - The United States and its allies share some interests with Iran when it comes to stabilizing Afghanistan, Army Gen. David Petraeus, head of the U.S. military's Central Command, said on Thursday.
Reuters - A legislative committee on Thursday recommended the impeachment of Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, citing widespread abuse of power including allegations he tried to sell the U.S. Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama.
Reuters - Accused swindler Bernard Madoff had signed checks totaling more than $173 million in his office desk ready to be sent out before his arrest, U.S. prosecutors said in court papers on Thursday asking a judge to jail him.
Reuters - President-elect Barack Obama named Tim Kaine as head of the Democratic Party on Thursday, rewarding an early supporter with a high-profile political post even as he continues to serve as Virginia governor.
Reuters - Wal-Mart Stores Inc and other top U.S. retailers delivered disappointing December same-store sales and profit warnings on Thursday, sparking fresh recession concerns that hit stock and currency markets.
AFP - Diplomatic efforts to end the Gaza conflict intensified Friday with Western and Arab diplomats agreeing to call for an immediate ceasefire as the death toll from the two-week-old war rose past 760.
AFP - Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin agreed Thursday on the terms for the deployment of gas monitors in Ukraine, paving the way for an end to a Europe-wide energy crisis, the EU presidency said.
Christmas memories are never dependent on the amount of money spent or... Read More
Okay guys, so this is a great opportunity to get back in... Read More
Years of having to make do have turned me into a?"There must... Read More
No matter how many lists you make, cards you send, gifts you... Read More
KNOW THYSELFThe first key to creating a peaceful holiday season is identifying... Read More
I have a friend who works at a loan company. She starts... Read More
There are as many as eight possible Valentines Day origins and the... Read More
It's back. The holiday season and all the challenges that come with... Read More
Are you looking for special Halloween party ideas that will give your... Read More
The kindergarten class I was teaching was scheduled to perform a dramatic... Read More
While mothers have had their special day since 1914, fathers have only... Read More
The Christmas tree is a much loved symbol iinstantly calling up images... Read More
Make these quick and easy crafts with your children for Mother's day.... Read More
Who doesn't love being a clown? It's a great costume idea for... Read More
March 17th is St. Patrick's Day and according to tradition if you... Read More
Do November's Thanksgiving experiences have you dreading the December holidays? The idea... Read More
Although it is now more decades away than I care to admit... Read More
While war and poor economic conditions begin to affect people all over... Read More
To a large extent the holidays have come to be more about... Read More
The holiday season is a wonderful opportunity to allow your children to... Read More
The carving. The leftovers. The endless stuffing. Actually, you love the stuffing,... Read More
As we reach the time of year when Christmas items start to... Read More
Father's Day...Father's Day only one month away! Father's Day is Sunday, June... Read More
Decorating for the holidays can be both expensive and emotionally draining. But... Read More
Gazing the wide stretched blue carpet, with blows of zephyrs whispering and... Read More
Today Mother's Day or Mothering Sunday is celebrated all over the world.... Read More
Have you seen the prices of greeting cards lately? It is hideous!... Read More
As we enter into the month of November my thoughts turn towards... Read More
The holiday season is upon us! It is a time when family... Read More
So, let's review a little what we said in the first part... Read More
- Christmas is responsible for more waste and consumption than any other... Read More
Every year I watch as advertisers begin to promote their products for... Read More
So you ate, drank and spent too much over the Holidays. Now... Read More
Easter is Sunday, March 27th! Don't forget the flowers! Your spring celebration... Read More
Not everyone shares in the celebration and joy associated with the holidays.... Read More
Valentine's Day can be a depressing day when you're in an unhappy... Read More
When Halloween comes around and you want to throw a party or... Read More
Most of the plants we associate with the holiday season are from... Read More
It's not only the candy that puts smiles on kids' faces on... Read More
Plan ahead this year for your corporate clients and associates holiday gifts.Now... Read More
Mothers day is May 8th this year, are you ready? Are you... Read More
As a personal growth specialist, I like to think I'm hip. I... Read More
Most people mistakenly believe that Mother's Day is an invention of the... Read More
A free Christian ecard is comprised of inspirational quotes, musical greetings, messages... Read More
A mother's bracelet is a personalized bracelet that celebrates the most important... Read More
When searching for Angel Costumes, there are so many choices online, so... Read More
Do you know what you are giving to the children on you... Read More
You don't have to spend a fortune this Valentine's Day to show... Read More
You're tired. You've worked hard all week. Suddenly, the kids shout gleefully...... Read More
Do you ever see those beautiful gingerbread houses during the holiday seasons... Read More
Memorial Day is a day for remembering those who have laid their... Read More
December and all the excitement that comes with it can either be... Read More
Father's Day...Father's Day only one month away! Father's Day is Sunday, June... Read More
The holidays are upon us; a time of celebration and joy. I... Read More
The oldest Valentine card still in existence was sent in 1415 by... Read More
Few things are more thrilling for a trick-or-treater than walking up to... Read More
Many of us are probably squeezing out our brains to the limit... Read More
I am going to make a bold statement. I think I have... Read More
Country Christmas Idea: Milkweed Pod Poinsettia OrnamentsAt first glance, milkweed plants and... Read More
Christmas is a wonderful time! Everyone is full of good cheer, the... Read More
From the book A Heartland Christmas CollectionIn the first years after my... Read More
I have a friend who works at a loan company. She starts... Read More
If you were asked to name 10 reasons why you vacationed in... Read More
"The stress-free way to enjoy the holidays is to plan, take one... Read More
Fathers Day is another reason to celebrate another responsible adult in the... Read More
Years of having to make do have turned me into a?"There must... Read More
Selecting the right gift for a special someone is sometimes joyous, sometimes... Read More
Valentine's Day is just around the corner which of course makes us... Read More
Fun, though they are intended to be, The Holidays can be a... Read More
Father's Day is approaching fast. In the USA it falls on the... Read More
No matter how many lists you make, cards you send, gifts you... Read More
One of the most inexpensive ways to create stonewalls in your home/haunt... Read More
Do you know a Mom who needs to be thanked for the... Read More
Trying to fit all the planning and preparing and celebrating of the... Read More
So you know someone who likes to "veg out" in front of... Read More
Do you know how to save money at Christmas and still have... Read More
Birthday party supplies and decorations can bring that necessary magic to make... Read More
Have the holidays become too commercial for you? Are you feeling empty... Read More
Unique "Drop-A-Hint" Plan Sends Your Gift Wishes Via E-mailSure, they love you... Read More
You can consider free ecards as being the same thing as normally... Read More
The holidays will be here before you know it. Clear the way... Read More
Flowers & Valentine's Day go hand in hand. Your Valentine will be... Read More
A Creative Dream Come TrueA hush falls over the room as you... Read More
If you're tired of your gifts looking like everyone else's, put some... Read More
Thanksgiving is the most important holiday of the year.Oh, sure, Christmas is... Read More
Admit it! You promised this year was not going to be like... Read More
Traditionally Christmas ornaments were bulbs of all the same color which were... Read More
Most of the plants we associate with the holiday season are from... Read More
Looking for interesting Halloween ideas? Perhaps you are looking for something new... Read More
I remember vividly as if it were yesterday when I was only... Read More
It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas and the clock is... Read More
During this Thanksgiving holiday, we are reminded to reflect on the bounty... Read More
How many times have you heard a friend say about someone who's... Read More
Here you are, facing the holiday season alone. Have you been thinking... Read More
Holiday Holiday |