Several times a week, there's an inspirational e-mail in my inbox. Some read like they are true; others are so saccharin, I'm convinced that some Pollyanna created them.

Recently, I read about a handicapped boy named Timmy who longed to play baseball. His father related how he hesitantly asked a local team if they would consider letting him join in. The game was almost over, and the team was down three runs. They said, "Sure," and gave Timmy a team jersey to wear.

He was posted in the outfield, and nothing dramatic happened. When he came up to bat, the bases were loaded. His father held his breath, wondering if they would let him take his turn at the plate with so much dependent on it. Tim awkwardly swung at the softly-thrown ball. Strike one. The pitcher moved closer to the plate and lobbed another gentle pitch.

Wonder of wonders, the ball and the bat connected. Everyone was yelling, "Run, Timmy, run!"

Despite his lack of coordination, he ran. The pitcher picked up the ball and threw it over the head of the first baseman, and Tim made first.

The right fielder, backing up the first baseman, understood the pitcher's wild toss and threw the ball wide of the second baseman.

"Run to second, Timmy!" the crowd shouted.

Another wild toss, and Tim was on third, pretty tuckered out.

"Run home, Timmy!"

And he tried to gather the strength for that last lap. The third baseman ducked down in front of him and carried him piggy-back to the home plate. Oh, how they cheered for the hero of the day, his father said. Timmy didn't make it to the next spring training.

He had passed away during the winter.

BUYING BREAKFAST

My next e-mail told of a two smelly homeless men in McDonald's in the dead of winter. Waiting customers cleared a path, and the older man put an assortment of coins on the counter, ordering two coffees.

A waiting woman realized they had to order something to be allowed to sit down and warm up, and coffee was all they could afford. She ordered two breakfasts and brought them to the table where the older man and the obviously mentally handicapped man sat.

Having boosted her self-esteem for about five bucks, she told her husband and son she had done it to give them hope. Then everyone wept.