Life Lessons

I had the privilege of meeting an amazing man today.  Even though I only spent five minutes in his company, he taught me more about life and living than a lifetime of studying self-improvement books:

• He taught me about perseverance.  About keeping on keeping on, even when it seems impossible.
• He taught me about making the most of what you have.
• He taught me about keeping your head held high when you're giving it or have given it your all.
• He reminded me to be thankfully jubilant about every single blessing and good gift in my life.
• He reminded me to take absolutely nothing for granted.
• He showed me that the external package rarely gives an accurate indication of the complete person that lies within.
• He reminded me that we're here to care about and love each other.
• And, most of all, he reminded me that every single thing I have and am is pure grace.

Who is this man, you ask?  Some handsome, highly educated motivational guru?  Nope.  Simply a fifty-something year old man, on his knees, on his way to the bank.  Walking on his knees because his two bare feet, swollen and malformed as a result of elephantiasis, are too painful to walk on.  His hands black with dirt from resting his knees by lifting his body weight onto this hands from time to time.  Drenched in sweat from his effort, but nonetheless purposefully going about his daily business.

I wouldn't trade my five minutes, walking hand-in-hand with him across the street and to the bank, for anything in the world.  Thank you for every single lesson you taught me without saying a single word.  I salute you!