~ ears ~

Mike was born a handsome child but unfortunately, without a pair of outer ears. When he was given birth to, his parents were worried whether he would have any hearing problems. Thankfully, as Mike grew up as a boy, it was clear that he would have no problems with hearing.

His child hood was anything but normal. Frequently dubbed a "freak", he would come running home after kindergarten and primary school with tears in his eyes. Without having to ask him, his mother would already know what had happened. Mike, with tears in his eyes would let it all out to his mother, "They called me a freak boy!" or "Why do I have go through such things, mom?" Mike's mom would always hug him close to her and gently say, "You are not a freak Mike. You don't look any different to me. In fact, you are more handsome than other kids out there."

Sometimes at night, Mike's mom would take a peek through his room door in the middle of the night while he is fast asleep to find tears rolling down his cheek.

Mike at school, excelled in pretty much all aspects - studies, sports, social work, music you name it, he's got it. Quite honestly, he virtually out shined his 'normal peers'.

His parents knew he had a lot ahead of him and wanted the best for him. They decided they had to find some way to help Mike. They went to plastic surgeons to see what could be done. There was a solution, explained the doctor, "It is very much possible for me to graft a pair of ears for him. Problem is, that's if we can procure a pair."

A month went by after Mike's parents visited the doctor then Mike's father comes along, "Mike, we are going to a doctor. We are going to get you a pair of decent ears my son!" Mike was surprised, clearly never thinking he was ever going to get a pair of ears forever.

3 hours after the operation, feeling some pain in his new found ears Mike felt complete. He couldn't help but ask his dad, "dad, you've got to tell me who the donour was. I have to thank that person. I don't know how I can ever repay him or her." His dad replied, "Well son, your mom and I have promised each other that it would remain a secret. At least for now. You'll know when the time comes my boy."

Years went by, Mike graduated with a 1st class honours degree in medicine, became a well known specialist in treating deformities like the one he had when he was child. He even got married to a wonderful, loving wife and had a baby boy and girl with her.

Like any other human being, his mother couldn't escape the fate of death at 76 years of age. On the funeral date at the casket where Mike's mom lied in peace, Mike's dad finally called upon Mike and gently lifted the thick hair of Mike's mom revealing she had no outer ears.

"You know Mike, your mom always said she was glad she could trim her hair by herself and never had to let anyone else do it for her. No one ever thought she was less beautiful than she was before." Mike finally knew who the kind donour was - his loving mother.

Beauty is not about what can be seen, it is about what is in the heart. Goodness is not about what can be seen, it is in the unseen. Sincerity and true love is not about what is done and made known, it dwells in what is done without having it made known. Most importantly, you may have married a wonderful partner, have beautiful kids, but the greatest love of all comes from your parents. You may not know it but if something hurts you, it hurts them just as well...............