Because of Love!! "this is a true story"
A brother and sister had made their usual hurried, obligatory pre- Christmas visit to the little farm where dwelt their
elderly parents with their small herd of horses. The farm was where
they had grown up and it had been named Lone Pine Farm because of the
huge pine, which topped the hill behind the farmhouse. Through the years
the tree had become a talisman to the old man and his wife, and a
landmark in the countryside. The young siblings had fond memories of
their childhood here, but the city hustle and bustle added more
excitement to their lives, and called them away to a different life.
The old folks no longer showed the horses, for the years had taken
their toll, and getting out to the barn on those frosty mornings was
getting harder, but it gave them a reason to get up in the mornings and a
reason to live. They sold a few foals each year, and the horses were
their reason for joy in the morning and contentment at day's end.
Angry, as they prepared to leave, the young couple confronted the old
folks "Why do you not at least dispose of The Old One." She is no longer
of use to you. It's been years since you've had foals from her. You
should cut corners and save so you can have more for yourselves. How can
this old worn out horse bring you anything but expense and work? Why do
you keep her anyway?"
The old man looked down at his worn
boots, holes in the toes, scuffed at the barn floor and replied, " Yes, I
could use a pair of new boots."
His arm slid defensively about
the Old One's neck as he drew her near. With gentle caressing he rubbed
her softly behind her ears. He replied quietly, "We keep her because of
love. Nothing else, just love."
Baffled and impatient, the
young folks wished the old man and his wife a Merry Christmas and headed
back toward the city as darkness stole through the valley.
The
old couple shook their heads in sorrow that it had not been a happy
visit. A tear fell upon their cheeks. How is it that these young folks
do not understand the peace of the love that filled their hearts?
So it was, that because of the unhappy leave-taking, no one noticed the
smell of the insulation smoldering on the frayed wires in the old barn.
None saw the first spark fall. None but the "Old One".
In a
matter of minutes, the whole barn was ablaze and the hungry flames were
licking at the loft full of hay. With a cry of horror and despair, the
old man shouted to his wife to call for help as he raced to the barn to
save their beloved horses. But the flames were roaring now, and the
blazing heat drove him back. He sank sobbing to the ground, helpless
before the fire's fury. His wife back from calling for help cradled him
in her arms, clinging to each other, they wept at their loss.
By the time the fire department arrived, only smoking, glowing ruins
were left, and the old man and his wife, exhausted from their grief,
huddled together in front of the barn. They were speechless and stunned
as they rose from the cold snow covered ground. They nodded thanks to
the firemen as there was nothing anyone could do now. The old man turned
to his wife, resting her white head upon his shoulder as his shaking
old hands clumsily dried her tears with a frayed red bandana. Brokenly
he whispered, "We have lost much, but God has spared our home on this
eve of Christmas. Let us gather strength and climb the hill to the old
pine where we have sought comfort in times of despair. We will look down
upon our home and give thanks to God that it has been spared and pray
for our beloved most precious gifts that have been taken from us.
And so, he took her by the hand and slowly helped her up the snowy hill
as he brushed aside his own tears with the back of his old, withered
hand.
The journey up the hill was hard for their old bodies in
the steep snow. As they stepped over the little knoll at the crest of
the hill, they paused to rest, looking up to the top of the hill, the
old couple gasped and fell to their knees in amazement at the incredible
beauty before them.
Seemingly, every glorious, brilliant star
in the heavens was caught up in the glittering, snow-frosted branches of
their beloved pine, and it was aglow with heavenly candles. And poised
on its top- most bough, a crystal crescent moon glistened like spun
glass Never had a mere mortal created a Christmas tree such as this.
They were breathless as the old man held his wife tighter in his arms.
Suddenly, the old man gave a cry of wonder and incredible joy. Amazed
and mystified, he took his wife by the hand and pulled her forward.
There, beneath the tree, in resplendent glory, a mist hovering over and
glowing in the darkness was their Christmas gift. Shadows glistening in
the night light.
Bedded down around the "Old One" close to the trunk of the tree, was the entire herd, safe.
At the first hint of smoke, she had pushed the door ajar with her
muzzle and had led the horses through it. Slowly and with great dignity,
never looking back, she had led them up the hill, stepping cautiously
through the snow. The foals were frightened and dashed about. The
skittish yearlings looked back at the crackling, hungry flames, and
tucked their tails under them as they licked their lips and hopped like
rabbits. The mares that were in foal with a new years crop of babies,
pressed uneasily against the "Old One" as she moved calmly up the hill
to safety beneath the pine. And now she lay among them and gazed at the
faces of the old man and his wife.
Those she loved she had not
disappointed. Her body was brittle with years, tired from the climb, but
the golden eyes were filled with devotion as she offered her gift
---LOVE. Because of love. Only Because of love.
Tears flowed as the old couple shouted their praise and joy... And again the peace of love filled their hearts.
This is a true story.
Willy Eagle.
This is an Inspirational message sent to a small group of people. My
hope is that it will make your day just a little bit better.
Keep reading. A small request !
Cancer is a strange cell. Going along for years in remission and then
one day it pops it head up again. Pray for the day there will be a
permanent cure. A SMALL REQUEST... 93% won't forward, but I'm Sure You
Will........
All you are asked to do is keep this
circulating, even if it's only to one more person. In honour of anyone
you know who has been touched by cancer.
as seen on and copied from facebook :)
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