Slow Down!

[firstsgtmike]

Just a Short Story for All!

A young and successful executive was traveling down
a neighborhood street, going a bit too fast in his new
Jaguar. He was watching for kids darting out from
between parked cars and slowed down when he thought
he saw something.

As his car passed, no children appeared. Instead, a
brick smashed into the Jag's side door! He slammed on
the brakes and drove the Jag back to the spot where
the brick had been thrown.

The angry driver then jumped out of the car, grabbed
the nearest kid and pushed him up against a parked car
shouting, "What was that all about and who are you?
Just what the heck are you doing? That's a new car and
that brick you threw is going to cost a lot of money.
Why did you do it?"

The young boy was apologetic. "Please, mister...
please, I'm sorry...I didn't know what else to do,"
He pleaded. "I threw the brick because no one else would stop..."

With tears dripping down his face and off his chin,
the youth pointed to a spot just around a parked car.
"It's my brother," he said. "He rolled off the curb
and fell out of his wheelchair and I can't lift him up."

Now sobbing, the boy asked the stunned executive,
"Would you please help me get
him back into his wheelchair? He's hurt and he's too
heavy for me."

Moved beyond words, the driver tried to swallow the
rapidly swelling lump in his throat. He hurriedly
lifted the handicapped boy back into the wheelchair,
then took out his fancy handkerchief and dabbed at
the fresh scrapes and cuts. A quick look told him
everything was going to be okay.

"Thank you and may God bless you," the grateful child
told the stranger.

Too shook up for words, the man simply watched the
boy push his wheelchair-bound brother down the sidewalk
toward their home.

It was a long, slow walk back to the Jaguar. The
damage was very noticeable, but the driver never
bothered to repair the dented side door.

He kept the dent there to remind him of this message
"Don't go through life so fast that someone has to
throw a brick at you to get your attention!"

God whispers in our souls and speaks to our hearts.
Sometimes when we don't have time to listen, He has
to throw a brick at us.
It's our choice.

[lakers]

IT'S NICE TO READ SOMETHING THAT MAKES THE HEART SMILE.

[gemntx]

Excellant story FirstsgtMike. It's quite appropriate.
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Glenn

[firstsgtmike]

gemntx

Thank you for the thought. Thanksgiving, being uniquely U.S. is not celebrated here.

But when I stopped to smell the roses, I found I was in a garden paradise.

It's not a ritual, so the times vary. But, enoying my children, I have cause to give thanks, every day. A smile, a question, an answer, reminds me of how fortunate I am. And I give thanks.

I extend my good wishes to you and to yours. Not only for the holiday season, but throughout the year.

Semper Fi

[NEWB]

Thanks for the story TOP,
I needed something like it, with the Chirstmas time coming and everyone here is running around like a bunch of chickens with their heads cut off. Really, hit home. Thanks again. And a Merry Christmas to you and yours.

[firstsgtmike]

newb,

I just finished a long talk with my seven year old son. He was two months old when I met his mother. He now has three younger brothers.

I have a Christmas present from him, sitting on my desk. He came in to give me 10 pesos, that he had saved, as a present.

I didn't need a brick. We had a long talk, mostly me talking and him listening.

Fortunately, I have learned to drive slow enough that it doesn't require a brick to get my attention. I think I made things right between us.

I hit the computer, and found your post. Thank you!

And rather than just Christmas Day, or the Christmas season, I wish the best for you and yours throughout the year.

Mike Farrell
Cagayan de Oro
Philippines

[virwar]

Thanks 1st SGT. As usual, very fine and eloquent posts. Happy Holidays and God Bless you. Semper Fi. Dave out.