A story you all have probably read before

[Guest guest]

A very Merry Christmas to all! I am sure you have read this before. I get goose

bumps

every time I read this and thought I'd share.

--

At a fund raising dinner for a school that serves children with learning

disabilities, the

father of one of the students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten

by all who

attended. After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he offered a

question:

 

'When not interfered with by outside influences, everything nature does, is

done with

perfection.

 

Yet my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot

understand things

as other children do.

 

Where is the natural order of things in my son?'

 

The audience was stilled by the query.

 

The father continued. 'I believe that when a child like Shay, who was mentally

and

physically disabled comes into the world, an opportunity to realize true human

nature

presents itself, and it comes in the way other people treat that child.'

 

Then he told the following story:

Shay and I had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing

baseball.

Shay asked, 'Do you think they'll let me play?' I knew that most of the boys

would not

want someone like Shay on their team, but as a father I also understood that if

my son

were allowed to play, it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging and

some

confidence to be accepted by others in spite of his handicaps.

 

I approached one of the boys on the field and asked (not expecting much) if

Shay could

play. The boy looked around for guidance and said, 'We're losing by six runs

and the

game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to

put him in to

bat in the ninth inning.'

 

Shay struggled over to the team's bench and, with a broad smile, put on a team

shirt. I

watched with a small tear in my eye and warmth in my heart. The boys saw my joy

at my

son being accepted.

 

In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but was still

behind by

three.

 

In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the right

field. Even

though no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game

and on the

field, grinning from ear to ear as I waved to him from the stands.

 

In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again.

 

Now, with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base

and Shay

was scheduled to be next at bat.

 

At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win the

game?

 

Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit was all but

impossible

because Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect

with the

ball.

 

However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher, recognizing that the

other team

was putting winning aside for this moment in Shay's life, moved in a few steps

to lob the

ball in softly so Shay could at least make contact...

 

The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed.

 

The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly towards

Shay.

 

As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball right

back to the

pitcher.

 

The game would now be over.

The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could have easily thrown the ball

to the first

baseman.

 

Shay would have been out and that would have been the end of the game.

Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the first baseman's head, out of

reach of all

team mates.

 

Everyone from the stands and both teams started yelling, 'Shay, run to first!

Run to first!'

 

Never in his life had Shay ever run that far, but he made it to first base.

 

He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled.

 

Everyone yelled, 'Run to second, run to second!'

 

Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and struggling

to

make it to the base.

 

By the time Shay rounded towards second base, the right fielder had the ball .

The

smallest guy on their team who now had his first chance to be the hero for his

team.

 

He could have thrown the ball to the second-baseman for the tag, but he

understood the

pitcher's intentions so he, too, intentionally threw the ball high and far over

the third-

baseman' s head.

 

Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of him circled the

bases

toward home.

 

All were screaming, 'Shay, Shay, Shay, all the Way Shay'

 

Shay reached third base because the opposing shortstop ran to help him by

turning him

in the direction of third base, and shouted, 'Run to third!

Shay, run to third!'

 

As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams, and the spectators, were on

their feet

screaming, 'Shay, run home! Run home!'

 

Shay ran to home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero who hit the

grand

slam and won the game for his team

 

'That day', said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, 'the

boys from both

teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity into this world'.

 

Shay didn't make it to another summer. He died that winter, having never

forgotten being

the hero and making me so happy, and coming home and seeing his Mother

tearfully

embrace her little hero of the day!

 

 

We all have thousands of opportunities every single day to help realize the

'natural order

of things.'

 

So many seemingly trivial interactions between two people present us with a

choice:

 

Do we pass along a little spark of love and humanity or do we pass up those

opportunities

and leave the world a little bit colder in the process?

 

A wise man once said, every society is judged by how it treats it's least

fortunate amongst

them.

-----------

Namaste

Krish

[Guest guest]

Always good to read it keeps us all sharp.

Igor.

 

 

From: scorpio92600Date: Tue, 23 Dec 2008 17:07:53 +0000 A story you all have probably read before

 

 

 

A very Merry Christmas to all! I am sure you have read this before. I get goose bumps every time I read this and thought I'd share.-------------------------At a fund raising dinner for a school that serves children with learning disabilities, the father of one of the students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended. After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he offered a question:'When not interfered with by outside influences, everything nature does, is done with perfection.Yet my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do.Where is the natural order of things in my son?'The audience was stilled by the query.The father continued. 'I believe that when a child like Shay, who was mentally and physically disabled comes into the world, an opportunity to realize true human nature presents itself, and it comes in the way other people treat that child.'Then he told the following story:Shay and I had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball. Shay asked, 'Do you think they'll let me play?' I knew that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but as a father I also understood that if my son were allowed to play, it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence to be accepted by others in spite of his handicaps.I approached one of the boys on the field and asked (not expecting much) if Shay could play. The boy looked around for guidance and said, 'We're losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him in to bat in the ninth inning.'Shay struggled over to the team's bench and, with a broad smile, put on a team shirt. I watched with a small tear in my eye and warmth in my heart. The boys saw my joy at my son being accepted.In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three.In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the right field. Even though no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from ear to ear as I waved to him from the stands.In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again.Now, with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base and Shay was scheduled to be next at bat.At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win the game?Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible because Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball.However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher, recognizing that the other team was putting winning aside for this moment in Shay's life, moved in a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least make contact...The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed.The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly towards Shay.As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher.The game would now be over.The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman.Shay would have been out and that would have been the end of the game.Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the first baseman's head, out of reach of all team mates.Everyone from the stands and both teams started yelling, 'Shay, run to first! Run to first!'Never in his life had Shay ever run that far, but he made it to first base.He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled.Everyone yelled, 'Run to second, run to second!'Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and struggling to make it to the base.By the time Shay rounded towards second base, the right fielder had the ball . The smallest guy on their team who now had his first chance to be the hero for his team.He could have thrown the ball to the second-baseman for the tag, but he understood the pitcher's intentions so he, too, intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third-baseman' s head.Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of him circled the bases toward home.All were screaming, 'Shay, Shay, Shay, all the Way Shay'Shay reached third base because the opposing shortstop ran to help him by turning him in the direction of third base, and shouted, 'Run to third! Shay, run to third!'As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams, and the spectators, were on their feet screaming, 'Shay, run home! Run home!'Shay ran to home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero who hit the grand slam and won the game for his team'That day', said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, 'the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity into this world'.Shay didn't make it to another summer. He died that winter, having never forgotten being the hero and making me so happy, and coming home and seeing his Mother tearfully embrace her little hero of the day!We all have thousands of opportunities every single day to help realize the 'natural order of things.'So many seemingly trivial interactions between two people present us with a choice:Do we pass along a little spark of love and humanity or do we pass up those opportunities and leave the world a little bit colder in the process?A wise man once said, every society is judged by how it treats it's least fortunate amongst them.-----------NamasteKrish Share your holiday memories for free with Windows LiveT Photos. Get started now.

[Guest guest]

Krish -

 

Thank you for sharing that beautiful story. I work with the Girl Scouts and we get a lot of "warm and fuzzy" stories circulated in our inboxes around here, but that one really is inspiring.

 

What can we all do before the end of 2008 to "bring a piece of true love and humanity into this world," as the baseball team did by letting Shay play?

 

I challenge myself and all of us to perform miracles through treating our brothers and sisters with exceptional care and gentleness every day, with the goal of giving time and loving attention to at least one strange per day for the next ten days.

 

Love!

'Ia

 

 

From: scorpio92600Date: Tue, 23 Dec 2008 17:07:53 +0000 A story you all have probably read before

 

 

 

A very Merry Christmas to all! I am sure you have read this before. I get goose bumps every time I read this and thought I'd share.-------------------------At a fund raising dinner for a school that serves children with learning disabilities, the father of one of the students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended. After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he offered a question:'When not interfered with by outside influences, everything nature does, is done with perfection.Yet my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do.Where is the natural order of things in my son?'The audience was stilled by the query.The father continued. 'I believe that when a child like Shay, who was mentally and physically disabled comes into the world, an opportunity to realize true human nature presents itself, and it comes in the way other people treat that child.'Then he told the following story:Shay and I had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball. Shay asked, 'Do you think they'll let me play?' I knew that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but as a father I also understood that if my son were allowed to play, it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging and some confidence to be accepted by others in spite of his handicaps.I approached one of the boys on the field and asked (not expecting much) if Shay could play. The boy looked around for guidance and said, 'We're losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him in to bat in the ninth inning.'Shay struggled over to the team's bench and, with a broad smile, put on a team shirt. I watched with a small tear in my eye and warmth in my heart. The boys saw my joy at my son being accepted.In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three.In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the right field. Even though no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from ear to ear as I waved to him from the stands.In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again.Now, with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base and Shay was scheduled to be next at bat.At this juncture, do they let Shay bat and give away their chance to win the game?Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible because Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball.However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher, recognizing that the other team was putting winning aside for this moment in Shay's life, moved in a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least make contact...The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed.The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly towards Shay.As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher.The game would now be over.The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman.Shay would have been out and that would have been the end of the game.Instead, the pitcher threw the ball right over the first baseman's head, out of reach of all team mates.Everyone from the stands and both teams started yelling, 'Shay, run to first! Run to first!'Never in his life had Shay ever run that far, but he made it to first base.He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled.Everyone yelled, 'Run to second, run to second!'Catching his breath, Shay awkwardly ran towards second, gleaming and struggling to make it to the base.By the time Shay rounded towards second base, the right fielder had the ball . The smallest guy on their team who now had his first chance to be the hero for his team.He could have thrown the ball to the second-baseman for the tag, but he understood the pitcher's intentions so he, too, intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third-baseman' s head.Shay ran toward third base deliriously as the runners ahead of him circled the bases toward home.All were screaming, 'Shay, Shay, Shay, all the Way Shay'Shay reached third base because the opposing shortstop ran to help him by turning him in the direction of third base, and shouted, 'Run to third! Shay, run to third!'As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams, and the spectators, were on their feet screaming, 'Shay, run home! Run home!'Shay ran to home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero who hit the grand slam and won the game for his team'That day', said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, 'the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity into this world'.Shay didn't make it to another summer. He died that winter, having never forgotten being the hero and making me so happy, and coming home and seeing his Mother tearfully embrace her little hero of the day!We all have thousands of opportunities every single day to help realize the 'natural order of things.'So many seemingly trivial interactions between two people present us with a choice:Do we pass along a little spark of love and humanity or do we pass up those opportunities and leave the world a little bit colder in the process?A wise man once said, every society is judged by how it treats it's least fortunate amongst them.-----------NamasteKrish Life on your PC is safer, easier, and more enjoyable with Windows Vista®. See how

[Guest guest]

Excellent idea Ia! I second that challenge! - blesings to all!- chrism

 

> I challenge myself and all of us to perform miracles through

treating our brothers and sisters with exceptional care and gentleness

every day, with the goal of giving time and loving attention to at

least one strange per day for the next ten days.

>

>