~ 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...............

A little help goes a long way....

Back during my primary school days, I didn't get much for pocket money for a day. I think it was a dollar day. But, of course money back then had a higher purchasing power. A dollar a day even during those times were some times hard to get buy and I had to settle for lesser food items because other more luxurious food like canteen chicken rice would cost a dollar fifty. Some days, I'd not spend the money so I can snowball the money for the next day to get a bigger meal during recess.

There was one day, while waiting for my mom to pick me up from school I saw this guy sitting by the roadside. He didn't look like he had any bad intentions, neither did he look like he was really mangy. Although I never really noticed but many of my schoolmates see him around often and he'd be sitting at the same spot by the roadside everytime he's around my school.

On that day when I saw him by himself, sitting by the roadside, I decided to just approach him and ask him why he'd sit there. After all, my mom was going to be late considering she hadn't got there after close to half an hour. So I approached him, "hi uncle, do you come here often?". He replied with a rather sad tone, "no place to go, no one wants me, just another old man by the road my young one.". Innocent as a young boy, I asked, "why is that so uncle?". He gave a long sigh and said, "well, I used to live with a daughter of mine about few years ago until........ until she and my son-in-law thought I was a bother to them.". 

At that young age, I had no idea what he meant and so, I asked, "but don't children like to have their daddy around? I love to have my daddy around!". He looked at me, "well kid, you have the right attitude, remember that always. It's been 8 years and 11 days ever since the day they got rid of me. I am 68 years old this year and I live down by the road there, a young lad rented a room to me and I have been delivering newspapers for 8 years now.".

For some unknown reason, I found myself rummaging through my pockets and I took the dollar I got for that day's expenses and I took out a dollar I saved from yesterday, with a wide grin, "here you go uncle! Take it!". He looked at me, "thank you my young friend, but I can't possibly take your money. You need to eat so you can grow up to be big and strong.". I replied, "nah.... it's okay uncle, just take it. I didn't eat today so you can have it. Go on, take it!". He looked at me for a long time, eyes going red probably close to tears, he said with a very grateful tone, "thank you, thank you. I wish I had a child like you.". 

My mom eventually reached school, and I got in the car gave the old man a wave and went on my merry way back home. The following day when I went to school, the school security guard spoked to me, "hey, I saw you talking to the old man from down the road. That poor chap. I usually have lunch in the same place as he does down the road not far from here. Everyday I see him just eating plain rice and some vege. Yesterday, I saw you giving him some money. Yesterday, for once in years I actually saw him eating more than just plain rice and vege. I am not sure how much you gave him but it is rare to see him eating with a small smile on his face.".

After hearing the words of the security guard, I went to school that morning with my heart bursting with a big heart of happiness inside. I knew I did some good! Ever since the day I spoke to the old man, everytime I saw him sitting at the same spot I'd sit beside him and talk to him. That went on until I left primary school for secondary school. Surprisingly, I never got his name and I never knew why I never asked. 

Looking back, I realise help can come in all sorts of shapes and sizes from all sorts of people. Even the tiniest bit of help can go a long way..................