My mother used to ask me what is the most important part
of the body. Through the years I would take a guess
at what I thought was the correct answer.
When I was younger, I thought sound was very important
to us as humans, so I said, "My ears, Mommy."
She said "No--Many people are deaf. But you keep
thinking about it and I will ask you again soon."
Several years passed before she asked me again.
Since making my first attempt, I had contemplated
the correct answer. So this time I told her,
"Mommy, sight is very important to everybody,
so it must be our eyes." She looked at me and told me,
"You are learning fast, but the answer is not
correct because there are many people who are blind."
Stumped again, I continued my quest for knowledge and over
the years, Mother asked me a couple more times and always
her answer was, "No. But you are getting smarter
every year, my young child."
Then last year, my grandpa died. Everybody was hurt.
Everybody was crying. Even my father cried.
I remember that especially because it was only the
second time I saw him cry. My mom looked at me when
it was our turn to say our final goodbye to Grandpa.
She asked me, "Do you know the most important
body part yet, my son?"
I was shocked when she asked me this now.
I always thought this was a game between her and me.
She saw the confusion on my face and told me, "This
question is very important. It shows that you have
really lived in your life. For every body part you
gave me in the past, I have told you was wrong and
I have given you an example why. But today is the day
you need to learn this important lesson."
She looked down at me as only a mother can.
I saw her eyes well up with tears. She said,
"Son, the most important body part is your shoulder."
I asked, "Is it because it holds up my head?"
She replied, "No, it is because it can hold the head
of a frieze_"and or a loved one when they cry.
Everybody needs a shoulder to cry on sometime
in life, my son. I only hope that you have enough
love and friends that you will always
have a shoulder to cry on when you need it."
Then and there I knew the most important body part
is not a selfish one--it is sympathetic to the pain
of OTHERS.
You are a friend and whenever you want,
you may cry on my shoulder!!!
People will forget what you said.
People will forget what you did.
But, people will never forget how you made them feel.
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Thank you Pat for the great background.