An elderly man, in the final days of life, was lying in bed alone. He awakens to see a large group of people clustered around his bed. Their faces are loving, but sad. Confused, the old man smiles weakly and whispers, "You must be my childhood friends, come to say good-bye. I am so grateful."

Moving closer, the tallest figure gently grasps the old man's hand and replies, "Yes, we are your best and oldest friends, but long ago you abandoned us. For we are the unrealized hopes, dreams, and plans that you once felt deeply in your heart, but never pursued. We are the unique talents that you never refined, the special gifts you never discovered. Old friend, we have not come to comfort you, but to die with you."

Les Brown I Believe in You Compendium, Inc.

-- Debra (Thisis@it.com), July 30, 2000

Answers

Geez, that's some bedside manner. The poor bastard.

-- KoFE (your@town.USA), July 30, 2000.

What a pile of New Age crud.

I hope the old man recovers, and throws these creeps into the trash can.

-- (r@nd.h), July 30, 2000.

With some effort these ghosts who have come to die again will be crowded out by the good you have done.

So... thanks for this reminder to get out there and do some of that good stuff.

-- Will (righthere@home.now), July 30, 2000.

They flutter behind you

Your possible pasts

Some bright eyed and crazy

Some frightened and lost

A warning to anyone still in command

Of your possible future to take care

-- Pink (pink.floyd@final.cut), July 30, 2000.

It doesn't matter what you do in your life if you BELIEVE. I learned that from Al-D, and anyone who would confess on the internet that their favorite underpants have figures of ducks on them HAS to be an honest person. The alternative would be too harsh.

-- Anita (Anita_S3@hotmail.com), July 30, 2000.