Mr.
Jim Rohn once shared the idea of learning how to live
life in unique ways. I think the following story may
help illustrate the point he was trying to make.
When
his schedule allowed, my brother Dave would stop by
and visit our Grandmother on his way home from work.
It is hard to make a commitment like this but Dave managed
to do it. I know my Grandmother appreciated the visits
and I'm sure my brother got some good from them as well.
Both shared similar interests; one of them was growing
vegetables and herbs in their gardens.
One
day, Dave went to visit her but found the house empty.
Out of business cards, he looked around for something
to leave that would let her know he had come by. In
her garden he found a chunk of dirt and carefully placed
it on her porch.
Later
that day, Grandmother came home with a couple of her
friends. "Who would leave a chunk of dirt on the porch
like that?" one of them asked. Grandmother knew right
away who had done it. The chunk of dirt became my brother's
"calling card." Whenever he would come to visit and
find her gone, he would leave his unique calling card
and Grandmother always knew he had been by.
Dave's
idea was simple, free and yet said so much. Our Grandmother
told everyone about that chunk of dirt. She was really
touched by his simple gesture. But, as Paul Harvey would
say, "Here is...the rest of the story."
Although
my Grandmother had lived a long, healthy and active
life, she died at the age of 94. We were all saddened
by her death but my brother Dave was heart broken. His
life long friend was gone. At her funeral my two brothers,
cousins and I were pallbearers for our Grandmother.
At
the burial site, the funeral director instructed us
to place our white gloves and lapel flower on our Grandmother's
casket before she was to be lowered to her final resting
place. One by one each of us paid our final respects.
Dave went before me and as he approached her I saw him
bend down and pick up something. As I went to place
my gloves and flower, my eyes filled with tears when
I saw the chunk of dirt carefully placed on my Grandmothers
casket. Dave had left her his calling card for the final
time.
Is
it worth the effort to live a unique life? I can hear
my Grandmother's resounding "Yes!" This
article was submitted by Steve Kendall. |