The richest man I know
By Lew Duffey   
Rated "G" by the Author.
Last edited: Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Posted: Wednesday, January 12, 2011

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Instead of comparing our lot with that of those who are more fortunate than we are, we should compare it with the lot of the great majority of our fellow men. It then appears that we are among the privileged. ---Helen Keller

I came across this quote by Helen Keller while browsing online and it gave me inspiration to write the following. It is true that we all fall into the pit of despair sometimes and wonder why we do not have the riches or the good health or the fancy car and million dollar home like some others but what we need to ask ourselves is this. How much would these things mean to us if we lost our loved ones while obtaining them?

 

 

 

I don’t have millions of dollars in an overseas bank account. An unexpected may cause me to go into a panic but somehow we always manage to get through it. I am not the healthiest man on the face of this earth. There have been times when all these things caused me to cry out, “Why Me, Lord?” Somehow he manages to make me see that even with my physical infirmities  I can still consider myself a rich man; Rich in the sense that I have had many blessings to be thankful for. They come in the way of sweet memories. I remember my wife’s smile as she walked down the aisle and became my wife. What a wonderful honeymoon we had. I remember the birth of my son and his first steps. I remember being blessed with not one but two lovely daughters who to this day have shown their love for their father.

 

 

It is true that many of these memories are faded from years of living but even faded memories such as they are can be a source of comfort and yes even bliss. There were afternoons spent at a mountain lake swimming and weekend trips to the ocean. I watched, no I played a part in their lives as the grew into their teenage years and I have witnessed their growth as they each have become mothers and fathers of five and soon to be six children of their own. Children who call me Papa.

 

I ask you this question. Do you think I would trade them for any amount of money? With all the problems I must face in this life I would not give up the blessings. This means to me that I am glad God made me to be me. If I were not me my grandchildren would not call me papa. They would not run into my arms when they come to visit. For that matter, they wouldn’t be here and I would have lived an empty life.

 

You may ask if I have done things in my lifetime that I regret and I would have to admit yes I have but those were my mistakes and yet God has seen fit to give me these blessings which I hold dear. I’d say he is a very forgiving God. Wouldn’t you?