Who are you grateful to in times of crisis? Who helps you get through?--Al

-- Al Schroeder (al.schroeder@nashville.com), December 14, 1999

Answers

of course my beloved mate whose hand on mine helps me steer the right course.

my grown children, who always rally around in times of trouble.

my friends if they are made aware.

we spent ten years in tampa, florida and were taught by example the courtesy, friendliness, compassion and generosity of the native southerners (what few were left then) we came there in 1951 and by the time we left - - - all things had changed - - - lots of historical buildings bulldozed, as well as customs being abused and shoved aside.

we were well taught and learned some very good precepts which made us better people and neighbors.

so even neighbors can be a great support in times of trouble.

it goes without saying the hand of god and a good pastor give support that no human can supply.

-- onion man (ionoi@webtv.net), December 14, 1999.

Without a doubt, my wife of 7 years, friend for 10. She is my rock. She has a mixture of compassion and ruthless honesty that I could only dream of having. It is amazing to me how strong of a person she is behind the delicate beauty. I remember vividly how I convinced myself when we met that I would be her "knight"....come to save the day. It is I who am being saved...one day at a time.

-- Bob Beltran (kelly-bob@excite.com), December 15, 1999.

kelly-bob - - - - two minds thinking alike. may your mate be your senior partner for 56 years as mine has. she has pretty much ran the show that long. she decides the little things like, do we get a new refrigerator, what color to paint the car, etc., etc. i make the big decisions like, should we continue giving charity to the masses overseas and all that kind of stuff.

seriously, a man without a mate is a ship adrift.

-- fluer-di-lis (ionoi@webtv.net), December 15, 1999.

First and foremost JESUS. In any crisis I have ever experienced my personal relationsip with JESUS has helped me. He's my friend. I have an ongoing conversation with him going on in my head most all the time. In the physical sense I am grateful for my sweet daddy. I have never in my life ever felt anything but love from him and I know when ever I need someone he will be there.Belive me I have needed him a lot! The two most tragic, my husband dying, and then my grandfather (on moms side) committed suicide at age 79. My dad always stays by my side. I have a great husband that is a rock also, but I wasn't married to him at those times, but if I have a bad day he will comfort me.

-- Diana Matthews (diana@clarksville.com), December 15, 1999.

Not being married, I must say that I am greatful for my friends. My wonderful friends who are always there in times of need, and when they know I'm having a bad time, they seek me out. Sometimes I need support but don't have the strength to ask. And they always know. I don't think I'll ever be able to thank them enough.

-- Piper (piperdane@yahoo.com), December 15, 1999.

My wonderful, darling sweetie, who would probably lie down in traffic for me if it would help. And my mom and my kids and my friends in recovery and my God. Not necessarily in that order (although I think it's a tie with God a half a nose ahead, since He sent the others to me anyway!) And, for those of you who recently read my Christmas wish post, it looks like I might just get my wish! I'm almost out of pain. Really. The doctor proclaimed it sciatica, not a loosening of the hip cup, and it gets better every day. Thank you, my online friends, who read this and said a little prayer for me! And Al, you and your family are still in my prayers...

Sunshyn

-- Sunshyn (sunshyndream@aol.com), December 16, 1999.

I am very grateful to my wife for her calm and her determination in crisis. I think I've also finally learned to be grateful to the people who taught me how to handle crisis by causing crises. Not very grateful but a little grateful.

-- Tom Dean (tdean@haese.com), December 16, 1999.

congratulations and prayers for your speedy recovery. sunshyn you have run a long course.

-- onion man or fleur-di-lis (ionoi@webtv.nwt), December 16, 1999.

I'm grateful to my mother, and family. These are the people who I know I can surely count on whenever things get hard or rough-no matter what! I really don't have many friends, I wish I did, but what are friends anyway, ya know? Most of the time they'll turn their backs on you and abandon you...at least from my experience.

-- Misty (Cankergirl241@hotmail.com), December 11, 2001.