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 had been named Lone Pine Farm because of the
huge pine, which topped the hill behind the farm. 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 their 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 softly, "We keep her because of love. Nothing else, just
love."
Baffled
and irritated, 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
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 before the barn. They were speechless 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 shoulders 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 and
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 about 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 and 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---
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 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 its 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....... A
small request....Just one line
Dear
God, I pray for the cure of cancer. Amen
All
you are asked to do is keep this circulating. Even if it's only to
one more person.
I love getting older; hopefully a little wiser- Stan G. Webb
ReplyDeleteBeautiful story!
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