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Amusing Inspiration

A Very Special UPS Delivery

December 10, 2014August 4, 2023 gags

Great job UPS!

4-year-old Carson developed a friendship with his UPS driver, Mr. Ernie, when he began receiving shipments of special milk. Carson has become fascinated by all things UPS. He wishes to be just like his pal, so UPS made Carson a UPS driver for a day.

For 4-year-old Carson of Colorado Springs, Co., the familiar UPS brown truck means more than just delivery time. It signals a visit from his special friend.

Parents Jim and Karen, who requested their last name not be used, explained that a milk sensitivity required Carson to receive multiple deliveries a week of a special type of formula. Those frequent visits helped the boy form a strong bond with his local delivery driver, Ernie Lagasca, to the point where he would eagerly await Lagasca’s arrival.

“He loved trucks. He would sit in the window when I drove by and over time, I started honking and waving,” Lagasca explained. “It got to the point where he’d hear the truck coming and be waiting on the curb.”

Eventually, Carson’s interest in all trucks became specifically about the big brown truck and its friendly driver. Lagasca, who Carson refers to as “Mr. Ernie,” was happy to indulge the little guy, and began to cherish the time they spent together.

“[In] my job, I meet a lot of wonderful people, but Carson really stood out,” Lagasca said. “Just to see him growing up so far in his young life, how I’ve made an impact on him. He adds a bright light into my life. It makes me feel my job is more worthwhile.”

As the two spent more time together and their unique friendship blossomed, Carson realized his dream of following in Mr. Ernie’s footsteps to become a delivery driver himself. He sports a miniature version of the company uniform, complete with matching cap, and turned the family’s basement into a shipping department for when he “plays UPS.”

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A Man And His Dog

December 10, 2014April 21, 2024 Jim LaFleur

A man and his dog were walking along a road. The man was enjoying the scenery, when it suddenly occurred to him that he was dead. He remembered dying, and that his faithful dog had been dead for many years. He wondered where the road was leading them. After a while, they came to a high, white stone wall along one side of the road. It looked like fine marble. As he reached the wall, he saw a magnificent gate in the arch, and the street that led to the gate made from pure gold. He and the dog walked toward the gate, and as he got closer, he saw a man at a desk to one side.

When he was close enough, he called out, “Excuse me, where are we?”

“This is heaven, sir,” the man answered.

“Wow! Would you happen to have some water? We have traveled far,” the man said.

“Of course, sir. Come right in, and I’ll have some ice water brought right up.”

The man gestured, and the gate began to open.

“Can my friend,” gesturing toward his dog, “come in, too?” the traveler asked.

“I’m sorry, sir, but we don’t accept pets.”

The man thought a moment, remembering all the years this dog remained loyal to him, and then turned back toward the road and continued the way he had been going. After another long walk, he came to a plain dirt road, which led through a farm gate that looked as if it had never been closed. There was no fence. As he approached the gate, he saw a man inside, leaning against a tree and reading a book.

“Excuse me!” he called to the reader. “Do you have any water? We have traveled far.”

“Yes, sure, there’s a faucet over there.” The man pointed to a place that couldn’t be seen from outside the gate. “Come on in and help yourself.”

“How about my friend here?” the traveler gestured to his dog.

“There should be a bowl by the faucet; he is welcome to share.”

They went through the gate, and sure enough, there was an old-fashioned faucet with a bowl beside it. The traveler filled the bowl and took a long drink himself, then he gave some to the dog. When they were full, he and the dog walked back toward the man who was standing by the tree waiting for them.

“What do you call this place?” the traveler asked.

“This is heaven,” was the answer.

“Well, that’s confusing,” the traveler said. “The man down the road said that was heaven, too.”

“Oh, you mean the place with the gold street and pearly gates? Nope. That’s hell.”

“Doesn’t it make you mad for them to use your name like that?”

“No. We’re just happy that they screen out the folks who’d leave their best friends behind in exchange for material things.”

Amusing Inspiration Short Story

Ice Cream

December 7, 2014April 21, 2024 Jim LaFleur

Last week, I took my children to a restaurant. My six-year-old son asked if he could say grace.

As we bowed our heads, he said, “God is good. God is great. Thank you for the food, and I would even thank you more if Mom gets us ice cream for dessert. And Liberty and justice for all! Amen!”

Along with the laughter from the other customers nearby, I heard a woman remark, “That’s what’s wrong with this country. Kids today don’t even know how to pray. Asking God for ice cream! Why, I never!”

Hearing this, my son burst into tears and asked me, “Did I do it wrong? Is God mad at me?”

As I held him and assured him that he had done a terrific job and God was certainly not mad at him, a lively old gentleman with a white beard approached the table. He winked at my son and said, “I happen to know that God thought that was a great prayer.”

“Really?” my son asked.

“Cross my heart,” the man replied.

Then, in a theatrical whisper, he added (indicating the woman whose remark had started this whole thing), “Too bad she never asks God for ice cream. A little ice cream is good for the soul sometimes.”

Naturally, I bought my kids ice cream at the end of the meal. My son stared at his for a moment and then did something I will remember the rest of my life. He picked up his sundae and, without a word, walked over and placed it in front of the woman. With a big smile, he told her, “Here, this is for you. Ice cream is good for the soul sometimes; and my soul is good already.”

Amusing Inspiration Short Story

Puppies For Sale

December 4, 2014April 21, 2024 Jim LaFleur

A farmer had some puppies he needed to sell. He painted a sign advertising the 4 pups, and set about nailing it to a post on the edge of his yard.

As he was driving the last nail into the post, he felt a tug on his overalls. He looked down into the eyes of a little boy. “Mister,” he said, “I want to buy one of your puppies.”

“Well,” said the farmer, as he rubbed the sweat off the back of his neck, “these puppies come from fine parents and cost a good deal of money.” The boy dropped his head for a moment. Then, reaching deep into his pocket, he pulled out a handful of change and held it up to the farmer. “I’ve got thirty-nine cents. Is that enough to take a look?”

“Sure,” said the farmer. And with that he let out a whistle. “Here Dolly!” he called. Out from the doghouse and down the ramp ran Dolly, followed by four little balls of fur. The little boy pressed his face against the chain link fence. His eyes danced with delight.

As the dogs made their way to the fence, the little boy noticed something else stirring inside the doghouse. Slowly, another little ball appeared, this one noticeably smaller.

Down the ramp it slid. Then in an awkward manner, the little pup began hobbling toward the others, doing its best to catch up.

“I want that one,” the little boy said, pointing to the runt. The farmer knelt down at the boy’s side and said, “Son, you don’t want that puppy. He will never be able to run and play with you like these other dogs would.”

With that, the little boy stepped back from the fence, reached down, and began rolling up one leg of his trousers. In doing so, he revealed a steel brace running down both sides of his leg, attaching itself to a specially made shoe.

Looking back up at the farmer, he said, “You see sir, I don’t run too well myself, and he will need someone who understands.”

With tears in his eyes, the farmer reached down and picked up the little pup. Holding it carefully, he handed it to the little boy.

“How much?” asked the little boy.

“No charge,” answered the farmer, “There’s no charge for love.”

Information Inspiration

Heartbroken Dog Waits At The Hospital For An Owner Who Will Never Return

November 28, 2014August 4, 2023 gags

Every day a devoted brown Dachshund named Masha has been waiting at a Siberian hospital for her owner who died a year ago. Heartbroken Masha has been visiting the Novosibirsk District Hospital Number One for the past two years, ever since her owner, a pensioner from the village of Dvurechie, was admitted. Masha was his only visitor. She would go away at night to guard their house and return to the hospital in the morning to keep the man company.

It seems that love is more an animal concept than a human one.

Sadly, the man died a year ago but the loyal dog continues to show up every day, presumably because she believes he’s still there, or because she has nowhere else to go. With her undying loyalty, Masha has managed to worm her way into the hearts of the hospital staff. They now ensure that a warm bed and food await her whenever she arrives. They hope that she’ll be able to recover from her sadness and be able to find a new home.

She is waiting for him, for her owner,” said nurse Alla Vorontsova. “Just recently a family tried to adopt her, but Masha ran away and returned to the hospital. She was taken on Friday evening, and at 3am on Saturday she was back here.”

“You see her eyes, how sad they are – it’s not the usual shiny eyes for when a dog is happy,” said chief doctor Vladimir Bespalov. “You can see this in animals in the same way as with people. There is no medicine that can help her, but we are still hoping that Masha will be able to find another owner. One day, our Masha will trust somebody.”

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