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Missed Moments


After Ben's big baseball game on Saturday, we drove to the mountains to pick apples at Sky Top Orchard in Flat Rock, NC. It was one of the most perfect days for it - blue skies, not too hot, not too cool. As soon as Ben was out of the car, he found a seat on the grass overlooking the playground and orchards and enjoyed the view. A few times he moved closer to where kids were playing, but for the most part he was content to sit and watch.

A man who was there with his three grandchildren came and sat right next to Ben in the grass. He asked Ben his name. Ben leaned over to this man, named David, and gave him the most tremendous hug, lasting at least a minute. David's grandchildren walked slowly by, staring, and the man said to them, "When you walk by someone without saying hello, you never know what you might miss out on."

Thanks David for the lesson.

Comments

  1. Thank you for sharing that very special and very eye-opening, inspiring moment. That moment (and true story) is definitely worth a million moments of meditation, resulting in some very awesome future moments.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Many people are sending me messages about this story - and it is amazing how Ben draws in the most amazing people. And he is not free with his hugs - he only gives them to people who are deserving of one.

    This summer, while on vacation, we were in the pool. An entire family came up to Ben and me and shared their story with us. Their 11 year old boy with CP died a few years ago. Ben reminded them of their son and they loved seeing Ben happy enjoying the pool. I asked them what their son's name was and they said "Ryan". I told them that Ben's middle name was Ryan. They thought that was a good coincidence. All of a sudden, Ben jumped from my arms and gave the father a big hug. How did Ben know he needed a hug? Ben does not jump into any stranger's arms. A truly memorable and inspiring moment. Ben attracts wonderful people into our lives, people we would have passed by...

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