Mother - A Story

MOTHER

A man stopped at a flower shop to order some flowers to be wired to his mother who lived two hundred miles away.
As he got out of his car he noticed a young girl sitting on the curb sobbing.
He asked her what was wrong and she replied, "I wanted to buy a red rose for my mother.
But I only have seventy-five cents, and a rose costs two dollars."
The man smiled and said, "Come on in with me. I'll buy you a rose."
He bought the little girl her rose and ordered his own mother's flowers.
As they were leaving he offered the girl a ride home.
She said, "Yes, please! You can take me to my mother."
She directed him to a cemetery, where she placed the rose on a freshly dug grave.
The man returned to the flower shop, canceled the wire order, picked up a bouquet and drove the two hundred miles to his mother's house.
Reflection

* How often have we taken things for granted ... not valueing the things that really matter such as showing the gratitude and love that we owe to so many people. We get caught up in a never-ending process of 'busyness' . We fail to realize that at any time death can flatten all our material possessions and worldly achievements, power and honor.
* What really matters ultimately are the intangible things ... the love, kindness, gratitude, generosity, compassion and care we display towards others. The development of these qualities is our true 'wealth' ... qualities that help us grow spiritually, qualities that lead us to true peace, happiness and freedom.

* Live not a life that will cause us to regret in our parting days .

* Do the positive things NOW ... do them when we still CAN. Wait not before it is too late.

* Living a life meaningfully would entail touching others' lives so that they become more happy and peaceful. When a life is lived meaningfully, then that life can die joyfully.

With Metta,

Bro. Oh Teik Bin