The nurse brought a chair so that the Marine could sit beside the bed.  All through the night the young Marine sat there in the poorly lighted  ward, holding the old man's hand and offering him words of love and strength.  Occasionally, the nurse suggested that the Marine move away and rest awhile.  He refused.

Whenever the nurse came into the ward, the Marine was oblivious of her and of the night noises of the hospital - the clanking  of the oxygen tank, the laughter of the night staff members exchanging greetings, the cries and moans of the other patients.

Now and then she heard him say a few gentle words.  The dying man said nothing, only held tightly to his son all through the night.  Along towards dawn, the old man died.  The Marine released the now lifeless hand he had been holding and went to tell the nurse.  While she did what she had to do, he waited.

Finally, she returned.  She started to offer words of sympathy, but the Marine interrupted her.  "Who was that man?" he asked.  The nurse was startled, "He was your father," she answered.  "No, he wasn't," the Marine replied.  "I never saw him before in my life."  "Then why didn't you say something when I took you to him?" 

"I knew right away there had been a mistake, but I also knew he needed his son, and his son just wasn't here.  When I realized that he was too sick to tell whether or not I was his son, knowing how much he needed me, I stayed "

The next time someone needs you ... just be there.  Stay. 

And remember....we are not human beings going through a temporary, spiritual experience.  We are spiritual beings, going through a temporary human experience. 


My sister sent this to me today....her husband had sent it to our brother.  Our brother replied back, that this story reminded him of the very thing my brother-in-law had done for our own dad, when he was dying.  My folks had moved in with my sister so that they could be cared for in their last days.  My brother-in-law spent many hours with dad....sometimes quietly, just being there.  Other times talking about baseball....one of my dad's favorite hobbies (his team was the Atlanta Braves).  And at the end, Dale took his turn sitting quietly, holding daddy's hand, speaking quiet, gentle words...loving him...just like the rest of us.  Dad needed him...and Dale was there. 

Thanks Dale, for loving my daddy.

 BE  A  BLESSING  TO  SOMEONE  TODAY !