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| Kirk Douglas |
This must be my month for Kirk Douglas stories. But they seem to fit, so I'm not apologizing.
In one of his books, he wrote of how he was serving as an emissary of the United States, and was eating a meal of grubworms with a tribe. He turned to the tribal elder, saying, "Today is Thanksgiving in my country. We give thanks for what we have today."
The man replied, "We give thanks for what we have every day."
Douglas wrote of how he suddenly felt very small. This man, who literally had nothing, was grateful for what he had, including a meal of grubworms. The same for everyone in his village. Douglas, who made a good living, gave thanks once a year, as do many of us Americans. He learned something that day, and hoped to pass it along in his book.
Like the actor, I too felt tiny upon reading the man's statement. I am sure I'm not the only one, and all of Douglas' books have been best sellers, so that man has made quite an impact. The elder knew what was important in life and has passed along his lesson. We need to be grateful for what we have instead of concentrating on what we don't have. Be thankful to God each and every day for what He has given us. Not just on Thanksgiving, but 365 days of the year.
We've all heard the expression 'Being born with a silver spoon in their mouth,' but this is one of my favorite stories. Kirk Douglas was born into an impoverished family, and his mother said the way he came into the family was when she looked into the backyard one day to see a gold box lowered by a string made of silver. She rushed out in the cold, opened the box, and saw a naked baby boy. Elated to at last have a son--The woman had five daughters--She took the child into her home.
As the family was always short on funds, Douglas always asked about the box. His mother said when she went back outside, it was gone. He constantly wondered if that didn't bother her. No, she replied. When she saw him, she could care less about the box.
I would have liked Kirk Douglas' mother. She knew what was truly important, telling her son at an early age how he was far more important than gold or silver. And she tried passing that along to him. It took a long time--long after her death--for the lesson to sink in, but eventually, he learned it.
Other parents have taught this lesson to their children in various ways. It's a beautiful analogy, and Douglas will insist today it's a true story. After all, his mother told it to him.
For those who doubt it, remember Baron Munchasen's famous line, "Vas you dere, Charlie?" Have faith in the words of our parents, who have let us know throughout the years in various ways we are far more valuable than gold or silver. And their value to us is immeasurable. We may not realize it growing up, but we do as we get older.
Cherish your family. They are your gold box.
Mizpah
