Whoever Takes the Son Gets it All

Sorry I didn't have tons of time to write an email this week but I just want to leave you guys with this darling poem that I love so much.  :)

"Years ago, there was a very wealthy man who, with his devoted young
son, shared a passion for art collecting. Together they traveled
around the world, adding only the finest art treasures to their
collection. Priceless works by Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet and many
others adorned the walls of the family estate. The widowed, elder man
looked on with satisfaction as his only child became an experienced
art collector. The son’s trained eye and sharp business mind caused
his father to beam with pride as they dealt with art collectors around
the world.

As winter approached, war engulfed the nation, and the young man left
to serve his country. After only a few short weeks, his father
received a telegram. His beloved son was missing in action. The art
collector anxiously awaited more news, fearing he would never see his
son again. Within days, his fears were confirmed. The young man had
died while rushing a fellow soldier to a medic.

Distraught and lonely, the old man faced the upcoming Christmas
holidays with anguish and sadness. The joy of the season, a season
that he and his son had so looked forward to, would visit his house no
longer. On Christmas morning, a knock on the door awakened the
depressed old man. As he walked to the door, the masterpieces of art
on the walls only reminded him that his son was not coming home.

As he opened the door, he was greeted by a soldier with a large
package in his hand. He introduced himself to the man by saying, "I
was a friend of your son. I was the one he was rescuing when he died.
May I come in for a few moments? I have something to show you." As the
two began to talk, the soldier told of how the man’s son had told
everyone of his, not to mention his father’s, love of fine art. "I’m
an artist," said the soldier, "and I want to give you this." As the
old man unwrapped the package, the paper gave way to reveal a portrait
of the son.

Though the world would never consider it the work of a genius, the
painting featured the young man’s face in striking detail. Overcome
with emotion, the man thanked the soldier, promising to hang the
picture over the fireplace. A few hours later, after the soldier had
departed, the old man set about his task.

True to his word, the painting went well above the fireplace, pushing
aside thousands of dollars of paintings. And then the man sat in his
chair and spent Christmas gazing at the gift he had been given. During
the days and weeks that followed, the man realized that even though
his son was no longer with him, the boy’s life would live on because
of those he had touched. He would soon learn that his son had rescued
dozens of wounded soldiers before a bullet stilled his caring heart.

As the stories of his son’s gallantry continued to reach him, fatherly
pride and satisfaction began to ease the grief. The painting of his
son soon became his most prized possession, far eclipsing any interest
in the pieces for which museums around the world clamored. He told his
neighbors it was the greatest gift he had ever received.

The following spring, the old man became ill and passed away. The art
world was in anticipation!

Unmindful of the story of the man’s only son, but in his honor, those
paintings would be sold at an auction. According to the will of the
old man, all of the art works would be auctioned on Christmas day, the
day he had received his greatest gift. The day soon arrived and art
collectors from around the world gathered to bid on some of the
world’s most spectacular paintings. Dreams would be fulfilled this
day; greatness would be achieved as many claim "I have the greatest
collection." The auction began with a painting that was not on any
museum’s list. It was the painting of the man’s son. The auctioneer
asked for an opening bid. The room was silent.

"Who will open the bidding with $100?" he asked. Minutes passed. No
one spoke. From the back of the room came, "Who cares about that
painting? It’s just a picture of his son. Let’s forget it and go on to
the good stuff."

More voices echoed in agreement. "No, we have to sell this one first,"
replied the auctioneer. "Now, who will take the son?" Finally, a
friend of the old man spoke, "Will you take ten dollars for the
painting? That’s all I have. I knew the boy, so I’d like to have it."

"I have ten dollars. Will anyone go higher?" called the auctioneer.
After more silence, the auctioneer said, "Going once, going twice.
Gone." The gavel fell, cheers filled the room and someone exclaimed,
"Now we can get on with it and we can bid on these treasures!"

The auctioneer looked at the audience and announced the auction was
over. Stunned disbelief quieted the room. Someone spoke up and asked,
"What do you mean it’s over? We didn’t come here for a picture of some
old guy’s son. What about all of these paintings? There are millions
of dollars of art here! I demand that you explain what’s going on
here!" The auctioneer replied, "It’s very simple. According to the
will of the father, whoever takes the son…gets it all."

Puts things into perspective doesn’t it? Just as those art collectors
discovered on that Christmas Day, the message is still the same: the
love of a Father, a Father whose greatest joy came from His Son, who
went away and gave His life rescuing others. And because of that
Father’s love, whoever takes the Son, gets it all. LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!!

xoxo

nika