1) THE GIFT OF LISTENING . . .

But you must REALLY listen.
No interrupting, no daydreaming,
No planning your response.  Just listening.

2) THE GIFT OF AFFECTION . . .

Be generous with appropriate hugs, kisses, pats on the back and handholds.  Let these small actions demonstrate the love you have for family and friends.

3) THE GIFT OF LAUGHTER . . . .

Clip cartoons.  Share articles and funny stories.
Your gift will say,  "I love to laugh with you."

4) THE GIFT OF A WRITTEN NOTE . . .

It can be a simple  "Thanks for the help"  note or a full sonnet.   A brief, handwritten note may be remembered for a lifetime, and may even change a life.

5) THE GIFT OF A COMPLIMENT . . .

A simple and sincere,  "You look great in red,"
"You did a super job"  or  "That was a wonderful meal" can make someone's day.

6) THE GIFT OF A FAVOR . . .

Every day, go out of your way to do something kind.

7) THE GIFT OF SOLITUDE . . .

There are times when we want nothing better than to be left alone.  Be sensitive to those times and give the gift of solitude to others.

8) THE GIFT OF A CHEERFUL DISPOSITION . . .

The easiest way to feel good is to extend a kind word to someone, really it's not that hard to say, Hello or Thank You.
Friends are a very rare jewel, indeed.  They make you smile and encourage you to succeed.  They lend an ear, they share a word of praise, and they always want to open their hearts to us.

A   FRIEND.....

(A)ccepts you as you are

(B)elieves in "you"

(C)alls you just to say   "HI"

(D)oesn't give up on you

(E)nvisions the whole of you   (even the unfinished parts)

(F)orgives your mistakes

(G)ives unconditionally

(H)elps you

(I)nvites you over

(J)ust "be" with you

(K)eeps you close at heart

(L)oves you for who you are

(M)akes a difference in your life

(N)ever Judges

(O)ffers support

(P)icks you up

(Q)uiets your fears

(R)aises your spirits

(S)ays nice things about you

(T)ells you the truth when you need to hear it

(U)nderstands you

(V)alues you

(W)alks beside you

(X)-plain things you don't understand

(Y)ells when you won't listen and

(Z)aps you back to reality

REAL  SIGNS !

In the front yard of a funeral home, "Drive carefully, we'll wait."

On an electrician's truck, "Let us remove your shorts."

Outside a radiator repair shop, "Best place in town to take a leak."

In a non-smoking area, "If we see you smoking, we will assume you are on fire and take appropriate action."

On a maternity room door, "Push, Push, Push."

On a front door, "Everyone on the premises is a vegetarian except the dog."

At an optometrist's office, "If you don't see what you're looking for, you've come to the right place."

On a taxidermist's window, "We really know our stuff."

On a butcher's window, "Let me meat your needs."

On a fence, "Salesmen welcome.  Dog food is expensive."

At a car dealership, "The best way to get back on your feet - miss a car payment."

Outside a muffler shop, "No appointment necessary.  We'll hear you coming."

In a dry cleaner's emporium, "Drop your pants here."

On a desk in a reception room, "We shoot every 3rd salesman, and the 2nd one just left."

In a veterinarian's waiting room, "Be back in 5 minutes.  Sit! Stay!"

At the electric company, "We would be delighted if you send in your bill.  However, if you don't, you will be."

In a Beauty Shop, "Dye now!"

On the side of a garbage truck, "We've got what it takes to take what you've got."  (Burglars please copy.)

In a restaurant window, "Don't stand there and be hungry, come in and get fed up."

Inside a bowling alley, "Please be quiet.  We need to hear a pin drop."

In a cafeteria, "Shoes are required to eat in the cafeteria.  Socks can eat any place they want."