Because of Love

[G. Morgan <usenet_abuse@xxxxxxxxx>]

A friend and NG regular sent this to my email.  I thought it was nice,
and wanted to share it with the group in case he didn't send it to all
of you.

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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 an 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 ld 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 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.
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.........

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. In memory of anyone you know who has been

struck down by cancer or is still living with it.

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