Thailand - the Land of Smiles - has taught me much about life - but nonesomuch could I recently ever hope to learn in my entire forty-two years on this planet.

I came here several years ago, as a single western female, looking for adventure and career advancement. I got what I was looking for ... and so much more. It's been quite a trip, I can tell ya! The people I met, the stories I heard, the characters that crossed my path... not an easy ride at all but, certainly out-of-the-ordinary!

These past few months, I experienced life-changing times. Not so long ago, a very good friend - who has lived in Thailand many years (who also happens to be a single, western female), became life-threateningly-ill and was in a position where she was at the mercy of the local system. She could not make any judgements for herself or afford the hospital care. Fortunately she had a few people who cared and they made positive decisions on her behalf. Most of these people had never met her before; they only knew her from the internet.

Meanwhile, those people who did know her - those she helped before, many times - barely reacted and did not attempt much assistance whatsoever. The help came from those who knew this woman via an internet thread - and the small village that she previously inhabited. Most of the "successful" types who knew who her in a recent-prior existence merely shrugged their shoulders and "wished the best for her recovery".

I am flabbergasted at human behaviour. I am shocked by the shallowness in "modern society", by the people who could afford to help - but did not care at all. But most of all, I am so grateful to the good hearts that exist in the world - who act in love when the need is there. The good souls on this forum (who contributed in a time of dire need) - I thank you so much for the love you showed for a stranger... my friend! She's in good hands now and will again be happy and healthy back home in Europe when she gets there ... with her son.

Thanks for the love! Thanks for the help! It's truly wonderful to know that there are great souls still out there - who believe in caring and sharing!

True Love

She sat him across from her,

She looked him in the eye.

"How much do you love me?"

He said: "For you, I would die."

She looked down at her hands,

"Would you ever let me go?"

His face turned very serious,

And he responded with a "no."

"What is this about?" He asked,

The girl only shook her head,

"Nothing, I was just curious,"

But he doubted in what she said.

Three weeks after this though,

She sat him down again,

And softly she whispered,

"Do you think there is a heaven?"

He stared at her intently,

Before opening his mouth to reply,

"Yes, I believe there is..."

He pointed to the sky.

The girl seemed mostly satisfied,

But her eyes held a sad light,

She held his hand and kissed it,

And he knew something wasn't right.

"Baby tell me now please,"

What are you hiding from me?"

She avoided looking at him,

This wasn't going to be easy.....

Five days later she found herself,

Cradled in a hospital bed,

Her boyfriend right next her,

Gently kissing her forehead.

"You're gonna be okay,"

He smiled down at her.

Still in a little shock,

That she had liver cancer.

She had told him she was sick,

And chances were very grim,

But during the week he was tested,

And told her cure was within him.

So when he had kissed his girl,

He had been kissing her goodbye,

How much did he love her?

...For her he would die....

The girl woke up later that day,

After a complicated surgery.

She had gone expecting to die,

Confused she said: What happened to me?

The surgeon looked at her,

"Your man also went under the knife,

He gave you his good liver,

In order to save your life."

So he hadn't let her go,

But instead gone in her place,

Trusting that one day in heaven,

He would again look her in the face.

It's truly wonderful to know that there are great souls still out there - who believe in caring and sharing!

If there's nobody to care for....

If there's nobody to share with...

then...why & what are we living for ?

LaoPo

Edited July 17, 200619 yr by LaoPo

"LOVE MOVES IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS"......

Maybe it's NICE to listen to this....(Thanks Totster! ....from Bedlam topic):

LaoPo

its unfortunate, but many people when they see someone in need, they say 'ooh that poor person, i wish there was something i could do to help them' but the dont really MEAN it. they wish that person well, but are too caught up in their own lives to get off their bums and do anything about it.

is it a fear of becoming involved?

is it because they fear an interruption to their everyday lives?

is it because they dont want to be financially responsible for this person?

i dont know. but i do know this. when the chips are down, you sure do find out who your friends are.

you also discover a lot about human nature.

If your in a position to help, you should, karma, baby, what goes around comes around.

Some of us are lucky enough to have family to support us no matter what & regardless of the mistakes or bad choices we make but some people don't have that luxury. I always try to empathise with the person in need, sympathy wont make you act but imagining yourself in that situation will make it more real & more likely to act.

I hope your friend gets better & once back in Europe, her life back on track

Its good to read something like this. The kindness of strangers (or almost strangers in this case) is possibly the greatest of all.

It is amazing how a major shakeup in your life will sort the wheat out from the chaff.

I hope your friend makes a swift and speedy recovery. It sounds like she certainly has enough support to help that.

I'm glad there were good people there for your friend Khall. I don't think of it as karma, merit, or anything, except that it is the right thing to do. But I have to admit, it's a shame when you would do all you can for a stranger, and some people do nothing for so-called "friends". Helping someone who is down doesn't necessarily mean helping financially. It can just mean being there, and looking out for their best interests.

I have actually met someone here who literally runs the other way the moment they hear someone is sick or down. I have no use for people like this.

P.S. - I hope I can meet some of you ladies in the south before I leave Thailand next month.

Edited July 17, 200619 yr by kat

Before this thread falls off the Ladies page... I think many now realise that we are talking about a TV member dear to us... and even if you don't recognise her - you must know someone from your past who fits the description.

Just hope that - we can all reach into our memories and consider, there are people in our lives, who may need help ... don't forget about them!

Thailand - the Land of Smiles - has taught me much about life - but nonesomuch could I recently ever hope to learn in my entire forty-two years on this planet.

I came here several years ago, as a single western female, looking for adventure and career advancement. I got what I was looking for ... and so much more. It's been quite a trip, I can tell ya! The people I met, the stories I heard, the characters that crossed my path... not an easy ride at all but, certainly out-of-the-ordinary!

These past few months, I experienced life-changing times. Not so long ago, a very good friend - who has lived in Thailand many years (who also happens to be a single, western female), became life-threateningly-ill and was in a position where she was at the mercy of the local system. She could not make any judgements for herself or afford the hospital care. Fortunately she had a few people who cared and they made positive decisions on her behalf. Most of these people had never met her before; they only knew her from the internet.

Meanwhile, those people who did know her - those she helped before, many times - barely reacted and did not attempt much assistance whatsoever. The help came from those who knew this woman via an internet thread - and the small village that she previously inhabited. Most of the "successful" types who knew who her in a recent-prior existence merely shrugged their shoulders and "wished the best for her recovery".

I am flabbergasted at human behaviour. I am shocked by the shallowness in "modern society", by the people who could afford to help - but did not care at all. But most of all, I am so grateful to the good hearts that exist in the world - who act in love when the need is there. The good souls on this forum (who contributed in a time of dire need) - I thank you so much for the love you showed for a stranger... my friend! She's in good hands now and will again be happy and healthy back home in Europe when she gets there ... with her son.

Thanks for the love! Thanks for the help! It's truly wonderful to know that there are great souls still out there - who believe in caring and sharing!

what happened to her

karma, baby, what goes around comes around.

I wish I could believe this wholeheartedly but much too often I see people screwing other people and getting rewarded for it.

I have a confession to make, and I hate myself for saying it.

Over the past few years I have helped a few so called "friends" out big time - both financially, morally, and putting a roof over their heads. I have lent a lot of money to people with the promise that it will be paid back. I have not seen a cent.

Now I find myself almost (but not yet) in their place - are they there for me, have they made good their promises - NADA!! They all run for the hills when I politely mention the fact that "by the way, i lent you x amout 3 years or three months ago".

So, I have decided to become the hard hearted bitch - if anyone asks to borrow a cent off me in future - I shall just turn round and say no.

I was made out to be a fool, a soft hearted idiot who thought everybody was kind and nice too, and I am not taking it any more. I helped those people out of the kindness of my heart and this is the way they thank me....

can you lend me a tenner Pats?

I have a confession to make, and I hate myself for saying it.

Over the past few years I have helped a few so called "friends" out big time - both financially, morally, and putting a roof over their heads. I have lent a lot of money to people with the promise that it will be paid back. I have not seen a cent.

Now I find myself almost (but not yet) in their place - are they there for me, have they made good their promises - NADA!! They all run for the hills when I politely mention the fact that "by the way, i lent you x amout 3 years or three months ago".

So, I have decided to become the hard hearted bitch - if anyone asks to borrow a cent off me in future - I shall just turn round and say no.

I was made out to be a fool, a soft hearted idiot who thought everybody was kind and nice too, and I am not taking it any more. I helped those people out of the kindness of my heart and this is the way they thank me....

Aaaaw, Patsy sounds like she needs a group HUG ... don't stop being you Pats, that's what makes you special and unique.

I have a confession to make, and I hate myself for saying it.

Over the past few years I have helped a few so called "friends" out big time - both financially, morally, and putting a roof over their heads. I have lent a lot of money to people with the promise that it will be paid back. I have not seen a cent.

Now I find myself almost (but not yet) in their place - are they there for me, have they made good their promises - NADA!! They all run for the hills when I politely mention the fact that "by the way, i lent you x amout 3 years or three months ago".

So, I have decided to become the hard hearted bitch - if anyone asks to borrow a cent off me in future - I shall just turn round and say no.

I was made out to be a fool, a soft hearted idiot who thought everybody was kind and nice too, and I am not taking it any more. I helped those people out of the kindness of my heart and this is the way they thank me....

Aaaaw, Patsy sounds like she needs a group HUG ... don't stop being you Pats, that's what makes you special and unique.

And a sucker.

Sorry, just too good of a one liner.

BAD one liner - Bops. (ladies forum, think about it)

.....

I had to scratch my er.. balls for that one.

Love is all you need, all you need is love.

Don't do it for payback and you will be repaid.

Don't dispair when the wicked seem to prosper, they have no happiness.

Do it for yourself to make you feel good that you reached out and helped a soul in need, that is your reward.

God bless and good night.

BAD one liner - Bops. (ladies forum, think about it)

.....

I am really sorry then. I was just trying to lighten her day a little.

Well, here's a real goody!! My nephew and his wife of not yet two years have separated, and my so-called american boyfriend's best and oldest friend has just shot himself... AND ITS RAINING.... and i am late paying my rent again!!!

Well....Good MORNING Patsycat!!!!!

That's a wake-up call... thankyou very much !

Welcome to the next moments of our lives....

Feeling better today!! Sorry for the rants but sometimes things in life get to you - all at the same time!!

And the sun is shining!!

Feeling better today!! Sorry for the rants but sometimes things in life get to you - all at the same time!!

And the sun is shining!!

Funny how the sun shining can make things look a little better!

Feeling better today!! Sorry for the rants but sometimes things in life get to you - all at the same time!!

And the sun is shining!!

I hear you Patsycat.... loud and clear. Now my crises are over and everyday is a beautiful blue, sun shining day. And how was that full moon we just had. Like wow!!!! Hope your days are sweet now....

We had a wow full moon too!!! Days are sweet and hopefully my man will be here soon!!!

Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy....

I hate having mood swings!!

not too sure how related this is, but i've changed since my 2 trips to LOS earlier this year

I'm the first to admit I was materialistic, thrived for the huge pay packet each month, wanted a better car every six months, big flat tv blah blah...... I guess I was very 'western' if thats a word...

2 months in thailand and I feel so different. Gone are the need for a bigger tv, or the latest trainers. My money now? I'm saving to finance volunteer work in thaialnd next year, taking unpaid leave from a very well paid job in UK and I want to help those less fortunate. Granted I cant change the world, or make things right but if I can make a handful of under privelidged kids smile and laugh then it'll all be worth it

My mates in UK say i've turned gay, and even my parents are amazed at the change. They think i'm a different person

Guess its not really about love, but LOS made me realise that there are other people in this world and i shouldnt just keep helping myself, wheres the fun in that?

hope that didnt come across too 'deep'

just want to wish patsy lots of beautiful sunny mornings

and khall I hope your friend does well

infact I wish you allllll lots of sunshine in life