Friday, November 27, 2009

He had a lot to be thankful for.

"A Gift of Love
Author Unknown.

"Can I see my baby?' the happy new mother asked. When the bundle was nestled in her arms and she moved the fold of cloth to look upon his tiny face, she gasped. The doctor turned quickly and looked out the tall hospital window. The baby had been born without ears.

Time proved the baby's hearing was perfect. It was only his appearance that was marred. When he rushed home from school, one day and flung himself into his mother's arms, she sighed, knowing that his life was to be a succession of heartbreaks.

He blurted out the tragedy "A boy, a big boy . . . called me a freak."

He grew up, handsome for his misfortune. A favorite with his fellow
students, he might have been class president, but for that. He developed a gift, a talent for literature and music. "But you might mingle with other young people," his mother reproved him, but felt a kindness in her heart.

The boy's father had a session with the family physician. Could nothing be done?" "I believe I could graft on a pair of outer ears. if they could be procured," the doctor decided.

Whereupon the search began for a person who would make such a sacrifice for a young man. Two years went by.

Then, "You are going to the hospital, Son. Mother and I have someone
who will donate the ears you need. But it's a secret," says the father.

The operation was a brilliant success, and a new person emerged. His
talents blossomed into genius, and school and college became a series of triumphs. Later he married and entered the diplomatic service.

"But I must know." He urged his father. Who gave so much for me?
I could never do enough for him." "I do not believe you could," said the father, but the agreement was that you are not to know . . . not yet."

The years kept their profound secret, but the day did come. . . . one of the darkest days that a son must endure. He stood with his father over his mother's casket.

Slowly, tenderly, the father stretched forth a hand and raised the thick reddish brown hair to reveal that the mother had no outer ears.

"Mother said she was glad she never let her hair be cut," whispered the father gently, "and nobody ever thought Mother less beautiful, did they."

Real beauty lies not in the physical appearance, but in the heart. Real treasure lies not in what can be seen, but what cannot be seen.
Real love lies not in what is done and known, but in what is done,
but not known.

I copied this from my friend Merle's Blog


15 comments:

Helen said...

Beautiful story. I once knew a child without any ears. They had some kind of plastic surgery done and made him some ears when he was around 6 years old. I moved from the area but I would think as he grew older they had to somehow adjust the size. Helen

Twisted Fencepost said...

A true testament of a mother's love.
Sweet post, Patty!

Brenda said...

My kind of story Patty, and it is so true, isn't it. Thanks for sharing this.

Arkansas Patti said...

Awww, what a wonderful story. You can't top a Mother's love.

Mental P Mama said...

Beautiful.

dyanna said...

Beautiful story.I like it very much.
Have a nice week-end.

Sunny said...

Very touching. There is nothing like the love of a mother.
Sunny :)

Jinksy said...

I believe these days they can grow ears in petri dishes...

Beth Niquette said...

Oh, my goodness--here I am with tears in my eyes. What a wonderful story. Beautifully told--thank you for sharing this, Patty.

A perfect and beautiful picture of a Mother's love.

Wanda said...

HOw touching....how like a mother.

I hope you are resting today after a big Thanksgiving....

I slept in, and had apple pie for breakfast....

No shopping for me today!!!

Cheryl said...

Very touching and beautiful story.

Renie Burghardt said...

So touching, and so true. A mother's love knows no bounds.

Well, my company took a little ride to see if there were any Christmas lights lit yet in town. I was too tired to go along. They leave around noon tomorrow to catch their flight in St. Louis for home. I will miss them.

Have a good weekend, Patty

Renie

Melinda said...

nothing like a mother's love.......beautiful story

Anonymous said...

Patty,
This is another tear jerker for me. What a Mother would do for her child. The answer of course is anything humanly possible we just love them so much. I'm finding out being a Grandma gives you the same feeling.
I'm up in the middle of the night it seems -probably from eating too much! Now I'm going to have to start back walking for sure.
vickie

Reader Wil said...

What a beautiful story Patty! What mother wouldn't do that for her child. Thanks for sharing this with us all.Great weekend!