By Elsa Sichrovsky: Ben is a white-haired man whose house I pass on my errands route. He always calls out a friendly greeting, and over time, we’ve become good friends. His cheerful demeanor and lively personality make him a joy to be around, despite our age difference. Last spring, Ben slipped on a wet bathroom floor, fell backwards, and hit his head hard. The impact brought on a stroke that resulted in recurring dizzy spells and headaches, blurred vision, permanent damage to his left eye, and loss of stamina. After his granddaughter phoned with the news, I went to visit Ben in the hospital. I had pictured a sad, sullen Ben greeting me from his wheelchair, but to my surprise, I was met by a smile. Ben waved me over to his chair with his usual enthusiasm. His speech was slow and halting and he was evidently in some pain,…
A compilation: We are each burdened with prejudice; against the poor or the rich, the smart or the slow, the gaunt or the obese. It is natural to develop prejudices. It is noble to rise above them. — Author Unknown. The test of courage comes when we are in the minority. The test of tolerance comes when we are in the majority. — Ralph W. Sockman. Our thoughts are unseen hands shaping the people we meet. Whatever we truly think them to be, that’s what they’ll become for us. — Richard Cowper. Let us have but one end in view, the welfare of humanity; and let us put aside all selfishness in consideration of language, nationality, or religion. — John Amos Comenius. The art of acceptance is the art of making someone who has just done you a small favor wish that he might have done you a greater one.…
Author Unknown: In a mother’s womb were two babies. One asked the other: “Do you believe in life after delivery?” The other replied, “Why, of course. There has to be something after delivery. Maybe we are here to prepare ourselves for what we will be later.” “Nonsense”, said the first. “There is no life after delivery. What kind of life would that be?” The second said, “I don’t know, but there will be more light than here. Maybe we will walk with our legs and eat from our mouths. Maybe we will have other senses that we can’t understand now.” The first replied, “That is absurd. Walking is impossible. And eating with our mouths? Ridiculous! The umbilical cord supplies nutrition and everything we need. But the umbilical cord is so short. Life after delivery is to be logically excluded.” The second insisted, “Well I think there is something and maybe…