This story, dear children, is about love.
This story, can be applied to any other aspect of your life.
Could be a career, could be love, could be anything at all.
Stop existing and start living.
Take charge of your life.
And.
Enjoy.
"While waiting to pick up a friend at
the airport in Portland, Oregon, I had one of those life-changing experiences
that you hear other people talk about — the kind that sneaks up on you
unexpectedly. This one occurred a mere two feet away from me.
Straining to locate my friend among the
passengers deplaning through the jet way, I noticed a man coming toward me
carrying two light bags. He stopped right next to me to greet his family.
First he motioned to his youngest son
(maybe six years old) as he laid down his bags. They gave each other a long,
loving hug. As they separated enough to look in each other’s face, I heard the
father say, “It’s so good to see you, son. I missed you so much!” His son
smiled somewhat shyly, averted his eyes and replied softly, “Me, too, Dad!”
Then the man stood up, gazed in the
eyes of his oldest son (maybe nine or ten) and while cupping his son’s face in
his hands said, “You’re already quite the young man. I love you very much,
Zach!” They too hugged a most loving, tender hug.
While this was happening, a baby girl
(perhaps one or one-and-a-half) was squirming excitedly in her mother’s arms,
never once taking her little eyes off the wonderful sight of her returning
father. The man said, “Hi, baby girl!” as he gently took the child from her
mother. He quickly kissed her face all over and then held her close to his
chest while rocking her from side to side. The little girl instantly relaxed
and simply laid her head on his shoulder, motionless in pure contentment.
After several moments, he handed his
daughter to his oldest son and declared, “I’ve saved the best for last!” and
proceeded to give his wife the longest, most passionate kiss I ever remember
seeing. He gazed into her eyes for several seconds and then silently mouthed.
“I love you so much!” They stared at each other’s eyes, beaming big smiles at
one another, while holding both hands.
For an instant they reminded me of
newlyweds, but I knew by the age of their kids that they couldn’t possibly be.
I puzzled about it for a moment then realized how totally engrossed I was in
the wonderful display of unconditional love not more than an arm’s length away
from me. I suddenly felt uncomfortable, as if I was invading something sacred,
but was amazed to hear my own voice nervously ask, “Wow! How long have you two
been married?
“Been together fourteen years total,
married twelve of those.” he replied, without breaking his gaze from his lovely
wife’s face. “Well then, how long have you been away?” I asked. The man finally
turned and looked at me, still beaming his joyous smile. “Two whole days!”
Two days? I was stunned. By the
intensity of the greeting, I had assumed he’d been gone for at least several
weeks – if not months. I know my expression betrayed me.
I said almost offhandedly, hoping to
end my intrusion with some semblance of grace (and to get back to searching for
my friend), “I hope my marriage is still that passionate after twelve years!”
The man suddenly stopped smiling.
He looked me straight in the eye, and
with forcefulness that burned right into my soul, he told me something that
left me a different person. He told me, “Don’t hope, friend… decide!” Then he
flashed me his wonderful smile again, shook my hand and said, “God bless!”"
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By Michael D. Hargrove and Bottom Line Underwriters, Inc.
Copyright 1997
Copyright 1997
