The train has started moving. It is packed with people of all ages, mostly with the working men and women and young college guys and gals. Near the window, an old man was seated with his 30 year old son. As the train moves by, the son is overwhelmed with joy as he was thrilled with the scenery outside...

"See dad, the scenery of green trees moving away is very beautiful"

This behavior from a thirty year old son made the other people feels strange about him. Every one started murmuring something or other about this son." This guy seems to be a crack..." newly married Anup whispered to his wife.

Suddenly it started raining... Rain drops fell on the travelers through the opened window. The Thirty year old son, filled with joy "see dad, how beautiful the rain is..."

Anup's wife got irritated with the rain drops spoiling her new suit.

Anup," can't you see its raining, you old man, if ur son is not feeling well get him soon to a mental asylum...and don't disturb public henceforth"


The old man hesitated first and then in a low tone replied " we are on the way back from hospital, my son got discharged today morning, he was a blind by birth, last week only he got his vision, these rain and nature are new to his eyes.. Please forgive us for the inconvenience caused..."


The things we see may be right from our perspective until we know the truth. And when we know the truth it may hurt us.

FAMILY

I ran into a stranger as he passed by,

"Oh excuse me please" was my reply.

He said, "Please excuse me too;

I wasn't watching for you."

We were very polite, this stranger and I.

We went on our way and we said good-bye.

But at home a different story is told,

How we treat our loved ones, young and old.

Later that day, cooking the evening meal,

My son stood beside me very still.

When I turned, I nearly knocked him down.

"Move out of the way," I said with a frown.

He walked away, his little heart broken.

I didn't realize how harshly I'd spoken.

While I lay awake that night in my bed,

God's still small voice came to me and said,

"While dealing with a stranger, common courtesy you use,

But the children you love, you seem to abuse.

Go and look on the kitchen floor,

You'll find some flowers there by the door.

Those are the flowers he brought for you.

He picked them himself: pink, yellow and blue.

He stood very quietly not to spoil the surprise.

You never saw the tears that filled his little eyes."

By this time, I felt very small,

And now my tears began to fall.

I quietly went and knelt by his bed;

"Please wake up, little one," I said.

"Are these the flowers you picked for me?"

He smiled, "I found 'em out by the tree.

I picked 'em because they're pretty like you.

I knew you'd like 'em, especially the blue."

I said, "Son, I'm very sorry for the way I acted today;

I shouldn't have yelled at you that way."

He said, "Oh, Mom, that's okay. I love you anyway."

I said, "Son, I love you too,

and I do like the flowers, especially the blue."

Are you aware that if we died tomorrow, the company

that we are working for could easily replace us

in a matter of days. But the family we left behind

will feel the loss for the rest of their lives.

And come to think of it, we pour ourselves more

into work than to our own family an unwise

investment indeed, don't you think?

So what is behind the story?

Do you know what the word FAMILY means?

FAMILY=(F)ATHER (A)ND (M)OTHER, (I) (L)LOVE (Y)YOU!

As I was walking
down life's highway
many years ago

I came upon a sign that read
Heavens Grocery Store.

When I got a little closer
the doors swung open wide
And when I came to myself
I was standing inside.

I saw a host of angels.
They were standing everywhere
One handed me a basket
and said "My child, shop with care."

Everything a human needed
was in that grocery store
And what you could not carry
you could come back for more

First I got some Patience.
Love was in that same row.
Further down was Understanding,
You need that everywhere you go.

I got a box or two of Wisdom
and Faith a bag or two.
And Charity of course
I would need some of that too.

I couldn't miss the Holy Ghost
It was all over the place.
And then some Strength
and Courage to help me run this race.
My basket was getting full
but I remembered I needed Grace,

And then I chose Salvation for
Salvation was for free
I tried to get enough of that
to do for you and me.

Then I started to the counter
to pay my grocery bill,
For I thought I had everything
to do the Masters will.

As I went up the aisle
I saw Prayer and put that in,
For I knew when I stepped outside
I would run into sin.

Peace and Joy were plentiful,
the last things on the shelf.
Song and Praise were hanging near
so I just helped myself.

Then I said to the angel
"Now how much do I owe?"
He smiled and said
"Just take them everywhere you go."

Again I asked "Really now,
How much do I owe?"
"My child" he said,
"God paid your bill
a long long time ago."

Amitabha