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“Never compare your love story with those in the movies, because they are written by scriptwriters. Yours is written by God. ”
| VBA's Positive News |
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Cubans welcome new US visa policy
Cubans are cheering a US visa policy that gives them five years to travel to the United States. They still are allowed to remain in the United States for only six months, but the change in US policy, which took effect on 1 August, allows them to make multiple US visits over the five years instead of repeatedly applying and paying the $160 fee for the privilege. There was a sense of growing excitement among Cubans lined up outside the US Interests Section in Havana as news of the visa policy spread through the crowd on the day of the change.
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Poland and Europe will soon emerge from downturn - Polish PM Tusk
Poland's economy will soon emerge from its deep downturn and Europe is also pulling out of its crisis, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said on Saturday. Prime Minister Tusk said second-quarter gross domestic growth (GDP) data should already show a slight recovery. He pointed to an improving manufacturing sector, which returned to growth in July after 15 consecutive months of contraction, as one of the main signs of a looming recovery.
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Irish services sector grows at fastest in 6 years - PMI
Ireland's services sector expanded in July at its fastest rate in more than six years, marking a 12th successive month of growth as the country aims to emerge from recession, a business survey showed on Tuesday. Ireland's services sector, which includes a range of businesses running from banks to hotels, accounts for 70 per cent of gross domestic product. The index for new export business slid back from a five-month high hit in June but was still at 57.7, holding above the 50 growth threshold for a 24th successive month.
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British business booms in July, US services recover
British businesses boomed and activity at euro zone companies expanded, albeit modestly, in July for the first time in 18 months, while growth in the US services sector rebounded from a three-year low. The data suggested economic recovery in the UK and US economies was gathering steam.
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Video of the Day:
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World Round-Up
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Modi govt lands in trouble over Sikh farmers' 'eviction'
Chandigarh -- When they came to the barren border areas of western Gujarat's Kutch region after the 1965 war with Pakistan nearly five decades ago, the 100-odd Sikh families did so because then Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri wanted people from this hardy and industrious community to settle alongside Pakistan.
Each family was given 48 acres and in the years to come they were joined by more and more Sikh farmers and others from Haryana, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. The barren land was soon turned into productive acres of cotton, wheat and oilseeds.
Today, 5,000 families - mostly Sikh - cultivate 100,000 acres in Kutch. But after having nurtured the land for generations, they were told by the Narendra Modi government in 2010 that they had no rights on their land.
Provisions of the Bombay Tenancy and Agricultural Lands (Vidarbha Region) Act of 1958 were invoked to deny these farmers any right to the lands in their possession for decades.
"Almost 50 years after my family settled here, I am now given the feeling that I am an outsider," said 65-year-old Surinder Singh Bhullar, who owns 26 acres and an orchard in Mandvi tehsil, Kutch.
He went on to add: "This is our home. We will not go anywhere from here. We have given our blood and sweat to Kutch and turned barren lands fertile. How can anyone evict us from here?"
But the BJP government in Gujarat is bent upon getting the 'outsiders' to leave. After the high court upheld the farmers' rights to their lands, the Modi regime approached the Supreme Court, where a hearing is due on August 27.
Though delegations of Sikh farmers sought to meet Modi soon after the Gujarat government began freezing - disallowing them from buying, selling or mortgaging - their land in 2010, it was only last Sunday that the CM met Sikh farmers for the first time.
And far from offering them any relief, Modi told them tersely that the law would take its own course.
In Punjab, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), which proudly proclaims to be a party of peasants and runs the state government in coalition with the BJP, is in a dilemma. Its top leaders, SAD president and deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal and CM Parkash Singh Badal, are treading cautiously.They have assured full support to the farmers and have formed a committee to meet Modi on the issue but don't want to rub the BJP strongman and chief of its poll campaign committee the wrong way.
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Astrology
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Aries March 21 to April 19
A rare opposition between Jupiter and Pluto urges you to take a leap of faith with your career. The caveat is that you may feel stifled by a family or domestic concern. If you find yourself over-thinking the situation, know in your heart that a solution is it on its way. Be earnest and use your intuition, because your instincts are likely to be right on target. The new moon's waltz with Uranus, now in Aries, sparks your creative genius. Technology and innovation will flow beautifully with your new endeavors.
Taurus April 20 to May 20
Today's rare separation between Jupiter and Pluto will likely bring you to a crossroads and up the stakes for your future. Take a moment to catch your breath and envelop the big picture. You can make solid headway with concerns over a foreign visa, prestigious exam, or legal settlement. Any news is good news - this will be a soothing mantra for you today. Quiet time at home will recharge your inner spirit. Relax on the sofa and let yourself go.
Gemini May 21 to June 20
 Optimistic Jupiter is saying good-bye to commanding Pluto today. Their separation may test your financial faith. Remember that money is circular, so your losses can be regained, tenfold. Reflect, and notice if you've been holding on too tightly to a financial circumstance, or a relationship. An important decision likely will crop up around money, so you'll want to be levelheaded. What you think the problem is may be part of the solution.
Cancer June 21 to July 22
If your power falls silent within a significant relationship, you may be in too deep. You are the prize in your partnerships, so you'll benefit from gently holding your authority. Look back to 2008 for insight on dilemmas around your relationships. That's when the sub-prime mortgage crisis hit America, also a Cancer. Jupiter and Pluto were united then; today they are bidding farewell - a rare cosmic drama that assures you tremendous growth.
Leo July 23 to Aug. 22
 The dramatic separation between Jupiter and Pluto triggers tension between serving your own needs and the needs of others. If you have been pressed about an important decision involving your health, your job, or even your pet, a solution is near. Once you detach yourself from the outcome, you'll be positively relieved. This allows the new moon in Leo to bring out the best in you. Now is the perfect time for breaking new ground with creative projects, especially if they involve social media, academia, or a trip overseas.
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Cognizant Technology Solutions beat June quarter estimates by a wide margin
BANGALORE: Cognizant Technology Solutions beat June quarter estimates by a wide margin and raised its full-year revenue growth forecast, reinforcing its reputation as industry growth leader.
Cognizant's strong showing mirrors that of Infosys, Tata Consultancy ServicesBSE -1.58 % and HCL TechnologiesBSE -0.06 % , raising hopes of a revival in demand for India's $108 billion (Rs 6.8 lakh crore) software services industry .
"It feels like the good old days," wrote Ashwin Shirvaikar of Citi Research in his note to clients. After reporting 7% sequential growth in sales, as against its guidance of 5.4%, the New Jersey-based company raised its full-year growth forecast to "at least 19%" or $8.74 billion , as against 17% earlier.
While analysts were expecting outperformance , the margin by which Cognizant did so surprised them. Cognizant said the addition of $141 million in sequential revenue in the second quarter was the secondhighest incremental revenue addition in the company's history.
"Our 15-year record of revenue and earnings growth is a testament to our long-term strategy of reinvesting in our business to stay relevant to our clients' changing needs," CEO Francisco D'Souza said in a conference call with reporters .
"As we look to the remainder of the year, we see a continuation of the healthy demand environment for our services , which gives us the confidence to raise guidance for the full year. It is a combination of macro trends and our competitive positioning." The operating profit margin expanded to 19.7%, from 18.5% a year ago. Cognizant's Fin Services Biz Grew 6.5%
Cognizant has a stated policy of maintaining its operating margin at 19%- 20% of revenue. Growth was driven by all-round improvement in business from its geographical and industry markets.
North America, from where it gets most of its business, grew 6%, and financial services, its largest industry vertical, grew 6.5%. "We are seeing strong market demand for our services which is allowing us to increase our revenue guidance for the full year," said president Gordon Coburn. Europe, where it acquired consulting firm C1 Group earlier this year, grew 11%, and healthcare , the second-largest revenue earning industry vertical for Cognizant , grew 6.2%.
For the third quarter, which has fewer billing days, the company has projected a comparatively lower sequential growth of at least 4.1% to $ 2.25 billion. Cognizant said in its earnings call that the revised guidance also includes $10 million from a tuck-in acquisition of a company owned by BNY Mellon, one of its customers.
"Cognizant's strong numbers and guidance suggest better demand conditions compared to the recent past. Thus, this does to an extent confirm that this is a stronger year. But it cannot of course portend changes in relative growth rates between peers. Cognizant remains the industry growth leader," said Ankur Rudra, vice-president (institutional equities) at Ambit Capital.
Industry body Nasscom has projected a 12-14 % growth for the sector in the year to March 2014, which is moderately higher than the 10.5% it clocked in the previous financial year. The biggest threat to Cognizant's growth comes from new immigration rules being considered by US legislators .
One version of the bill has clauses that restrict companies such as Cognizant from placing employees at client locations and imposes higher visa fees on employees with lower percentage of American workers.
However, the company said it had not seen any changes in client spending because of concerns around immigration . The tech firm's stock is up 2.7% in early trade on Nasdaq.
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What type of eater are you?
THE NIBBLER: You snack throughout the day — whether you're hungry or not. You reject formal diet plans because you think your way of eating is better but never seem to lose weight.
THE PROBLEM: You're constantly thinking about the next snack. You're in danger of eating too much, too often.
THE SOLUTION: Stick to three meals a day plus two healthy snacks (such as fruit, carrot sticks or oat cakes with hummus), and eat nothing else in between.
THE GORGER: Though you want to lose weight, you find yourself consuming large amounts of junk food or ready-to-eat meals.
THE PROBLEM: This pattern is driven by emotional triggers — you gorge if you feel lonely, anxious or annoyed. But by giving in to them, you'll only perpetuate self-loathing.
THE SOLUTION: Exercise to boost your selfesteem. Use mindfulness skills to regard food as sustenance, not a reward.
THE DIET JUNKIE: Whether it's Atkins or Dukan, you try every new diet. Not bothered by nutritional content, you view food (or the lack of it) as the only vehicle to weight loss so you're constantly diet-hopping.
THE PROBLEM: The lack of nutrients in your diet puts your body in 'protective mode' holding on to every last ounce of fat, leaving you feeling dissatisfied and guilty.
THE SOLUTION: Stop thinking extreme dieting will help you achieve physical perfection. Switch to a balanced diet and eat smaller portions.
THE BINGER: You have steely willpower and eat healthy food 90 per cent of the time, but can swing from extreme control to a moment of madness with high-sugar binges.
THE PROBLEM: Binges derail all your good intentions and can have an addictive effect. This style of eating comes with emotional baggage, often including strong feelings of guilt and shame.
THE SOLUTION: Relax your strict rules and allow yourself regular treats of 'forbidden' foods to stop the desire for massive binges.
THE ZOMBIE: You eat out of habit and routine, barely conscious of what you eat. Your diet is likely to be monotonous.
THE PROBLEM: You're likely to eat highly processed, refined foods that lack nutritional value but are a quick fix.
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Virgo Aug. 23 to Sept. 22
Romance, children, or a creative endeavor may be pressing on you. Your identity may be wrapped up in one desire that's holding you by a delicate string. Jupiter's separation from Pluto says it‘s okay to let go. This rare cosmic event is likely to praise you for gently surrendering. Reconciliation can be the perfect good luck charm for your day. The new moon in Leo will light up your imagination. If you block out some time for yourself, you'll greatly benefit from meditating on meaningful changes you'd like to make.
Libra Sept. 23 to Oct. 22
As Jupiter and Pluto separate, a recent career breakthrough may bring you to an impasse with your domestic life. If you have been putting off an important decision about your parents, real estate, or other home concern, today you may be confronted with the consequences. You're likely to have more room to maneuver than you think, so keep your head up. You could get a slew of helpful ideas from social media. Your creative genius will be stimulated by networking - one of your many talents.
Scorpio Oct. 23 to Nov. 21
 If you haven't done your homework, Jupiter's opposition to Pluto may shy you away from a promising opportunity. You can be assured you're capable of more than you think, particularly with your debating skills. You are like a dignitary behind the podium who suddenly gets stage fright before speaking at an important press conference. You may become apprehensive as you initially face a crowd of unfamiliar faces - bombarding you with investigative questions. With your shrewd common sense, you'll give a stand-out performance.
Sagittarius Nov. 22 to Dec. 21
A rare showdown between Pluto and Jupiter (your ruling planet) may compel you to look into the history behind your financial mishaps. Near the end of 2007, these planets were embraced in Sagittarius. Look how far you have come since 2007. You likely will have an opportunity for long-range financial success, but you'll have to be diligent to unveil it so you can seal the deal. If you find yourself stuck in a security bubble, it may be time to take an intelligent risk.
Capricorn Dec. 22 to Jan. 19
 You can have confidence that softening your grip on your deepest desires will be the best thing you can do to nurture your most promising partnerships. Your authority will remain intact. This is because Jupiter is opposing Pluto, now in Capricorn - a momentous cosmic event that will likely stimulate your instinctual side. You may realize how ready you are for an emotional makeover, but you'll also be keen on what needs keeping. With a healthy perspective, your new self-awareness can take a special partnership to a higher level of trust.
Aquarius Jan. 20 to Feb. 18
 Jupiter's rare opposition to Pluto could magnify the graveness of your life. You can capitalize this intense cosmic energy by giving your heaviest responsibilities breathing space within your daily routine (rather than keeping them stuck in the closet of your mind). This will ground you, especially if you stay positive as you embrace the here and now. Strange enough, you may feel born again. Your ruling planet, Uranus, is gently held by the new moon in Leo. You'll be a loving inspiration to everyone around you.
Pisces Feb. 19 to March 20
In ancient astrology, Jupiter, the planet of royalty, is your ruling planet. Today Jupiter opposes Pluto - a special cosmic event. You may feel like a king or queen who is hesitant about taking your throne because you're concerned bureaucracy will take over your creative vision. As you travel farther into your royal light, you can expect turbulence. Your ability to satisfy the needs of the masses could be severely tested. Have faith that today's occurrences, however complicated they may seem, will bring out the best in you.
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Moral Story
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SMS
Two sweet words difficult to say in life:
1. "Hi" for the FIRST time to unknown person.
&
2. "Bye" for the LAST time to loved ones.
LOVE & RELATIONSHIPS
Relationship last long not
because they're destined to last long.
Relationships last long becouse two brave people made a choice...
To keep it, fight for it, and to work for it.
LEADERSHIP & SUCCESS
Effective leadership is not about making speeches or being liked;
leadership is defined by results not attributes.
When WORDS fail, eyes speak.
When eyes fail,”HEART” speaks.
When HEART fails, nothing speaks they put cotton
in the nose…
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Mumbai: Schools, govt play blame game over unfilled seats under RTE quota
MUMBAI: The poor performance of Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) in filling up seats under the RTE quota for underprivileged students once again highlights the miscommunication between schools and the state's education department.
While schools have blamed the dismal figures on lack of awareness among parents of eligible students, the education department has pointed a finger at schools for lacking the initiative in welcoming these candidates.
"Most parents get easily intimidated by elite schools and refrain from enrolling their children. There is lack of a proper support system for such candidates," said Fr Frances Swamy, principal of Holy Family High School in Andheri (East). He added that several parents are still unaware about the RTE Act.
Most schools were also unhappy with the government's "attitude" towards reimbursement of funds to cover the cost of students under the reservation quota. "The government expects us to admit students in primary sections, though our school gets government aid only for secondary.
We are bearing the expenses as of now, though we haven't seen a single penny from the education department," said the principal of another school.
The education department has also made it clear in their latest circular that schools which cannot fill reservation category seats will have to leave these seats empty; in other words, these cannot be converted into general category seats.
"This leaves schools in a spot. The government needs to understand that schools cannot force parents to send their children to our schools," said Ramakant Pandey, principal of Bansidhar Agarwal High School, Wadala.
Senior education officials, on the other hand, blamed the attitude of school managements. "Schools must be more welcoming and accommodating.
They need to make sure that these students do not feel marginalized. Only then will parents not think twice before sending their children to all the schools."
A senior education official added that another reason for the crunch was that parents were not interested in vernacular medium schools. "Some schools that are not easily accessible also face difficulty in finding takers."
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'Sir' Jadeja's meteoric rise silences critics
MUMBAI: The verified Twitter account of Ravindrasinh Jadeja - @iamjadeja - introduces him as Indian 'cricketer', 'biker' and 'horse-rider' from Jamnagar.
The profile picture is a huge white compound wall of his new home that has initials 'RJ' inscribed on it. He's Jadduboy on Instagram.
His tweets normally end with a patriotic 'Jai Hind'. And for many, he's the Rajnikanth of Team India: nothing is impossible for him.
The 24-year-old all-rounder - who became only the fourth-ever Indian bowler and the first since Anil Kumble in 1996 to top the ICC bowlers' rankings in ODIs - is on a high.
"Bahut bada first class cricketer hai." (He is a very big first class cricketer).
It's a moniker that thousands who follow the vast domestic circuit across India, where hundreds play first-class cricket for decades and retire, can identify with.
There are a few others who are a little more talented but somehow just can't break through. There are also exceptional cricketers who end up earning an India cap as soon as they arrive.
And then, there are those like Jadeja who keep rising like the proverbial phoenix, leaving connoisseurs baffled. How else would you describe a player who critics and experts forever felt was overrated?
Larger-than-life tattoos, untimely pub-brawls, an IPL ban, running cricketers out and leaving his skipper MS Dhoni out in the cold for promoting him in the order in the 2009 World T20 would condemn most players to the sidelines.
Jadeja, though, has rewritten his story many times until it began to read like a success story.
He even shares space with the likes of Don Bradman, Brian Lara, Bill Ponsford, Walter Hammond, WG Grace, Graeme Hick and Mike Hussey, having scored three first-class triple centuries, the first Indian to do so.
But it had become a trend to mock at his cricketing ability. Even when he began picking wickets against Australia in the Test series early this year, tweets popped up saying 'what's worse than India not getting a wicket? Jadeja getting a wicket.'
The tweeter could still be eating his words, digesting how the man with such 'ordinary talent' could manage 24 scalps in the series and get Michael Clarke out five out of six times.
Sarcasm did not end even when Jadeja - famously tagged 'Sir' by Dhoni and teammates - set the Champions Trophy on fire in the UK recently.
Whether it was about getting his skipper that one crucial breakthrough or contributing with a timely cameo, or affecting a sublime run-out, Jadeja did it all.
If there were only Gujaratis running for his autograph when he landed at Heathrow, there was quite a pan-Indian crowd bidding him goodbye when he left.
Conventional wisdom suggests that Jadeja's success is the result of his captain's faith in his abilities, the comfort of playing in a team where his role is defined to the 'T', not experimenting too much and sticking to a line-and-length approach, and understanding one's limitations.
"It's been the case with most Indian cricketers who've excelled for India in the last decade," says former India bowler Paras Mhambrey.
"Captains like Sourav Ganguly and MS Dhoni have brought the best out of players just by keeping the faith and pursuing with them," he adds.
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Chennai Express
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Chennai Express
Movie Name : Chennai Express
Release Date : August 9, 2013
Genre : Comedy
Producer : Gauri Khan
Director : Rohit Shetty
Music Director : Vishal-Shekhar
Cast : Shahrukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, Sathyaraj, Manorama
Synopsis:
The filming began at Mehboob Studio in Mumbai on 5th October 2012 . The lead actor was dressed in black casuals and the actress in a South Indian attire, wearing Kanjeevaram saree. Filming was done at Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station with minimum crew members. These working stills of the lead actor were unofficially released in mid-October 2012. In November 2012, the cast and crew was off to Goa for the first filming schedule. The railway station of Vasco da Gama was used as a double up, portraying Kalyan. A romantic scene on board a train passing next to Dudhsagar Falls was also shot. In December 2012, the team was off to Jakarta for some scenes. By early January 2013, the next schedule was supposed to happen in Ooty but Khan opined that the opted place would be too far from commercial venue, Mumbai. Hence, recreation of the lanes of Ooty along with some of its tourist spots, was constructed as a set on the outskirts of Panchgani in Wai by art director Narendra Ruharikar. It took over 40 days to make the set at an estimated cost of INR1.5 crore (US$260,000). The Wai schedule of filming ran for entire month of March 2013. A 10-day shooting schedule began in Munnar, Kerala from mid of April 2013, scenes were canned at Devikulam Lake, Meesapulimala, Wagavara and Kannimala. The shoot had to be stopped for a few days due to the heavy rainfall and the schedule was slightly extended until end of the same month. A press conference was also held in the town Munnar. In May 2013, certain scenes were canned in North Goa The lead actress wrapped up all her portions of shoot on 25th May 2013. Khan flew to Hyderabad by end of May 2013 for remaining filming.
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birds need gravity to swallow
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" INSPIRING STORY "
Little Boy’s Love for his Family
I was walking around in a Big Bazar store making shopping, when I saw a Cashier talking to a boy couldn’t have been more than 5 or 6 years old. The Cashier said, “I’m sorry, but you don’t have enough money to buy this doll.” Then the little boy turned to me and asked, “Uncle, are you sure I don’t have enough money?”
I counted his cash and replied, “You know that you don’t have enough money to buy the doll, my dear.” The little boy was still holding the doll in his hand. Finally, I walked toward him and I asked him who he wished to give this doll to. “It’s the doll that my sister loved most and wanted so much . I wanted to Gift her for her Birthday. I have to give the doll to my mommy so that she can give it to my sister when she goes there.” His eyes were so sad while saying this.
“My Sister has gone to be with God. Daddy says that Mommy is going to see God very soon too, so I thought that she could take the doll with her to give it to my sister.” My heart nearly stopped. The little boy looked up at me and said, “I told daddy to tell mommy not to go yet. I need her to wait until I come back from the mall.” Then he showed me a very nice photo of him, where he was laughing. He then told me “I want mommy to take my picture with her so my sister won’t forget me, I love my mommy and I wish she doesn’t have to leave me, but daddy says that she has to go to be with my little sister.”
Then he looked again at the doll with sad eyes, very quietly. I quickly reached for my wallet and said to the boy. “Suppose we check again, just in case you do have enough money for the doll?” He said, “OK, I hope I do have enough.” I added some of my money to his with out him seeing and we started to count it. There was enough for the doll and even some spare money.
The little boy said, “Thank you God for giving me enough money!” Then he looked at me and added, “I asked last night before I went to sleep for God to make sure I had enough money to buy this doll, so that mommy could give It to my sister. He heard me! I also wanted to have enough money to buy a white rose for my mommy, but I didn’t dare to ask God for too much. But He gave me enough to buy the doll and a white rose. My mommy loves white roses.”
I finished my shopping in a totally different state from when I started. I couldn’t get the little boy out of my mind. Then I remembered a local news paper article two days ago, which mentioned a drunk man in a truck, who hit a car occupied by a young woman and a little girl. The little girl died right away, and the mother was left in a critical state.
The family had to decide whether to pull the plug on the life sustaining machine, because the young woman would not be able to recover from the coma. Was this the family of the little boy? Two days after this encounter with the little boy, I read in the news paper that the young woman had passed away. I couldn’t stop myself. I bought a bunch of white roses and I went to the funeral home where the body of the young woman was exposed for people to see and make last wishes before her burial. She was there, in her coffin, holding a beautiful white rose in her hand with the photo of the little boy and the doll placed over her chest. I left the place, teary-eyed, feeling that my life had been changed for ever…
The love that the little boy had for his mother and his sister is still, to this day, hard to imagine. And in a fraction of a second, a drunk driver had taken all this away from him…
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“The elevator to success is out of order. You’ll have to use the stairs…. One step at a time. ”
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