The Movers and the Gentleman
The day began like any other moving job in the city. The moving crew
was on the job at the agreed upon time, 8:30 a.m. After
introducing themselves to the customer and a brief tour of the
residence to assess the plan for loading, the old gentleman sked them
if they would like some coffee. The men, charging by the hour,
declined his offer. He smiled at their honesty and gestured to them
to continue.
The old house had a redolent fragrance of musty rose petals. The
bereaved seventy-nine-year old husband merely watched and quietly
chatted and quipped with the young-strong men as they went about their
work. It was obvious he was lonely and welcomed the rather captive
audience into his home. Even under the albeit necessary circumstances
of having to move to the nursing care facility, their presence
heartened him.
The young men were kind to the old gentleman, tolerating his rather
one-sided conversation. Occasionally, they had to ask him to 'move to
one side' while they removed furniture and memories all at one time
right before him.
In a way he was as glad to be leaving the house which really had no
relevant significance for him anymore since his partner of
sixty-two-years had died two years ago. He found peace each day in
prayer. The responsibilities for his care would be a welcomed solace.
The hours sped by and the house became but a shell of past occupancy.
Upon near completion of the job one of the movers went through the
house to check each room to make sure nothing had been left behind.
In the upstairs bedroom under a small alcove there was a chest almost
imperceptible because it was the same wood hue as the paneling on the
wall behind it. When he started to remove it, the entire contents
fell through the bottom of the chest. Papers were strewn all over the
floor, along with photos. He began to collect everything into some
semblance of order when a yellowed newspaper clipping caught his eye:
TWIN BOYS DIE IN BOATING ACCIDENT. After quickly scanning the
article, he learned that they were indeed the old gentleman's sons,
lost to him and his wife forever over three decades ago.
When the movers had completed the move, the man thanked them for their
diligence and careful concern for his precious belongings. He told
them that their kindness to him was more appreciated than they could
ever realize.
Six months later, almost to the day of the move, the gentleman died.
In his will, he left his entire fortune of one and a half million
dollars to the "Two movers who were so kind and reminded me of my own
sons."
The day began like any other moving job in the city. The moving crew
was on the job at the agreed upon time, 8:30 a.m. After
introducing themselves to the customer and a brief tour of the
residence to assess the plan for loading, the old gentleman sked them
if they would like some coffee. The men, charging by the hour,
declined his offer. He smiled at their honesty and gestured to them
to continue.
The old house had a redolent fragrance of musty rose petals. The
bereaved seventy-nine-year old husband merely watched and quietly
chatted and quipped with the young-strong men as they went about their
work. It was obvious he was lonely and welcomed the rather captive
audience into his home. Even under the albeit necessary circumstances
of having to move to the nursing care facility, their presence
heartened him.
The young men were kind to the old gentleman, tolerating his rather
one-sided conversation. Occasionally, they had to ask him to 'move to
one side' while they removed furniture and memories all at one time
right before him.
In a way he was as glad to be leaving the house which really had no
relevant significance for him anymore since his partner of
sixty-two-years had died two years ago. He found peace each day in
prayer. The responsibilities for his care would be a welcomed solace.
The hours sped by and the house became but a shell of past occupancy.
Upon near completion of the job one of the movers went through the
house to check each room to make sure nothing had been left behind.
In the upstairs bedroom under a small alcove there was a chest almost
imperceptible because it was the same wood hue as the paneling on the
wall behind it. When he started to remove it, the entire contents
fell through the bottom of the chest. Papers were strewn all over the
floor, along with photos. He began to collect everything into some
semblance of order when a yellowed newspaper clipping caught his eye:
TWIN BOYS DIE IN BOATING ACCIDENT. After quickly scanning the
article, he learned that they were indeed the old gentleman's sons,
lost to him and his wife forever over three decades ago.
When the movers had completed the move, the man thanked them for their
diligence and careful concern for his precious belongings. He told
them that their kindness to him was more appreciated than they could
ever realize.
Six months later, almost to the day of the move, the gentleman died.
In his will, he left his entire fortune of one and a half million
dollars to the "Two movers who were so kind and reminded me of my own
sons."
0 comments:
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Post a Comment