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Elim Garak's Corner - אלים גרך

Blog EntryNov 10, '08 4:01 AM
for everyone


I'm not sure where the source of this is from but I received this story through an email from my dad today and thought I'd share this. After sending this, I've decided to return home earlier today and perhaps my son and I could play football later.



A man came home from work late, tired and irritated, to find his 5-year old son waiting for him at the door.

SON: 'Daddy, may I ask you a question?'

DAD: 'Yeah sure,what itis?' replied the man.

SON: 'Daddy, how much do you make an hour?'

DAD: 'That's none of your business. Why do you ask such a thing?' the man said angrily.

SON: 'I just want to know. Please tell me, how much do you make an hour?'

DAD: 'If you must know, I make $50 an hour.'

SON: 'Oh,' the little boy replied, with his head down.

SON: 'Daddy, may I please borrow $25?'

The father was furious, 'If the only reason you asked that is so you can borrow some money to buy a silly toy or some other nonsense, then you march yourself straight to your room and go to bed. Think about why you are being so selfish. I don't work hard everyday for such childish frivolities.'

The little boy quietly went to his room and shut the door.

The man sat down and started to get even angrier about the little boy's questions. How dare he ask such questions only to get some money?

After about an hour or so, the man had calmed down , and started to think:

Maybe there was something he really needed to buy with that $25.00 and he r! eally di dn't ask for money very often The man went to the door of the little boy's room and opened the door.

Are you asleep, son?' He asked..

'No daddy, I'm awake,' replied the boy.

I've been thinking, maybe I was too hard on you earlier' said the man. 'It's been a long day and I took out my aggravation on you. Here's the $25 you asked for.'

The little boy sat straight up smiling. 'Oh, thank you daddy!' he yelled. Then, reaching under his pillow he pulled out some crumpled up bills.

The man saw that the boy already had money, started to get angry again.

The little boy slowly counted out his money, and then looked up at his father.

'Why do you want more money if you already have some?' the father grumbled.

'Because I didn't have enough, but now I do,' the little boy replied.

'Daddy, I have $50 now. Can I buy an hour of your time? Please come home early tomorrow. I would like to have dinner with you.'

The father was crushed. He put his arms around his little son, and he begged for his forgiveness.

It's just a short reminder to all of you working so hard in life. We should not let time slip through our fingers without having spent some time with those who really matter to us, those close to our hearts. Do remember to share that $50 worth of your time with someone you love.

If we die tomorrow, the company that we are working for could easily replace us in a matter of hours. But the family & friends we leave behind will feel the loss for the rest of their lives.


8 Comments
nenyalorien wrote on Nov 10, '08
Kuya, great repost! Truly apt, spoke to me for my "issue" today, heheh. :D Here's my version of your story: http://preview.tinyurl.com/6ppg92 Miss you!
zanizh wrote on Nov 10, '08
That's great. Here in the States, there was a Latter Day Saints commercial on a few years ago that basically depicted the same thing. It's very touching and depicts exactly how kids pick up on things and are way smarter than we often realize.
meirav wrote on Nov 10, '08
I'd read this before but still found it moving a second time. How sad that parents get their priorities mixed up and forget that children need their love more than all the material goods they can possibly provide.
10lubak wrote on Nov 10, '08
meirav said
How sad that parents get their priorities mixed up and forget that children need their love more than all the material goods they can possibly provide.
With ageing parents, it can go the other way round too. I think dad was dropping hints that I don't visit as often as he wants me, so I'll be seeing him tonight.
meirav wrote on Nov 10, '08
Yes, you're right - actually it applies to all our relationships, often we rush around too much and don't put enough time into the really important stuff.
maximus51 wrote on Nov 11, '08
I agree with Meirav in that we often rush around too much.

As a result, I played make believe truck stop today. Smiles
sweetadolead wrote on Nov 12, '08
I have seen this a couple times in my e-mail spam from friends. It still makes me tear up when it gets to the point of the son wanting to buy his dad's time for dinner. How many of us grew up starved for our parents attention and affirmation? How many never got it or only received it on occasion? I know from taking care of other's children for so many years - too many. They didn't want me, they wanted their mom or dad. Now so many are angry teens and twenties who just can't get past feeling unwanted or blown off. They grew up with so many things but the one thing they really wanted - time with mom and dad. I know what you mean Elim about aging parents. My mom and dad are in their upper 70's and my mom's memory is getting very foggy and her legs are not working so good. I need to go to lunch with her a little more. You just never know when the last lunch will be. Shalom my brother.
elwira17 wrote on Jan 16, '09
It's very powerful and really makes you (anyway me nowadays) think about time managing in these fast and crazy times...
very nice post:)
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