My cousin sent me this message. In light of the many recent requests -
and lack of requests - for help from individuals in the ferret
community, I thought it was appropriate and profound. I hope that each
of us will look at ourselves and realize that we each have something
we can give - and someone else has something we can receive.

**I was parked in front of the mall wiping off my car. I had just
come from the car wash and was waiting for my wife to get out of work.
Coming my way from across the parking lot was what society would
consider a bum. From the looks of him, he had no car, no home, no clean
clothes, and no money. There are times when you feel generous but there
are other times that you just don't want to be bothered. This was one
of those "don't want to be bothered times."

"I hope he doesn't ask me for any money," I thought. He didn't. He came
and sat on the curb in front of the bus stop but he didn't look like he
could have enough money to even ride the bus.

After a few minutes he spoke. "That's a very pretty car," he said. He
was ragged but he had an air of dignity around him. I said, "Thanks,"
and continued wiping off my car.

He sat there quietly as I worked. The expected plea for money never
came. As the silence between us widened something inside said, "Ask
him if he needs any help." I was sure that he would say "yes" but I
held true to the inner voice. "Do you need any help?" I asked.

He answered in three simple but profound words that I shall never
forget. We often look for wisdom in great men and women. We expect it
from those of higher learning and accomplishments.

I expected nothing but an outstretched grimy hand. He spoke the three
words that shook me.  "Don't we all?" he said.

I was feeling high and mighty, successful and important, above a bum
in the street, until those three words hit me like a twelve gauge
shotgun. Don't we all?

I needed help. Maybe not for bus fare or a place to sleep, but I
needed help. I reached in my wallet and gave him not only enough for
bus fare, but enough to get a warm meal and shelter for the day. Those
three little words still ring true. No matter how much you have, no
matter how much you have accomplished, you need help too. No matter
how little you have, no matter how loaded you are with problems, even
without money or a place to sleep, you can give help.**

-- 
Renee Downs
It's amazing how much can be accomplished if nobody cares who gets the
credit!
"The most effective way to do it, is to do it." Amelia Earhart
Ferret Emergency Response, Rescue & Evacuation Team (F.E.R.R.E.T.)
http://www.ferretemergency.org
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International Ferret Congress
http://www.ferretcongress.org
American Red Cross
http://www.redcross.org

[Posted in FML 5872]