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Portrait of the Son

Years ago, there was a very wealthy man who, with his devoted young
son, shared a passion for art collecting. Together they traveled
around the world, adding only the finest art treasures to their
collection. Priceless works by Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet and many
others adorned the walls of the family estate. The widowed elder man
looked on with satisfaction as his only child became an experienced
art collector. The son's trained eye and sharp business mind caused
his father to beam with pride as they dealt with art collectors
around the world.
As winter approached, war engulfed the nation, and
the young man left to serve his country. After only a few short
weeks, his father received a telegram. His beloved son was missing
in action. The art collector anxiously awaited more news, fearing he
would never see his son again. Within days, his fears were
confirmed, the young man had died while rushing a fellow soldier to a
medic.
Distraught and lonely, the old man faced the upcoming Christmas
holidays with anguish and sadness. The joy of the season, that he
and his son had so looked forward to, would visit his house no
longer.
On Christmas morning, a knock on the door awakened the
depressed, old man. As he walked to the door, the masterpieces of
art on the walls only reminded him that his son was not coming home.
As he opened the door, he was greeted by a soldier with a large
package in his hands. He introduced himself to the man by saying, "I
was a friend of your son. I was the one he was rescuing when he died.
May I come in for a few moments? I have something to show you."
As the two began to talk, the soldier told of how the man's son had
told everyone of his, not to mention his father's, love of fine art.
"I am an artist," said the soldier, "and I want to give you this."
As the old man unwrapped the package, the paper gave way to reveal a
portrait of the man's son. Though the world would never consider it
the work of a genius, the painting featured the young man's face in
striking detail. Overcome with emotion, the man thanked the soldier,
promising to hang the picture above the fireplace.
A few hours
later, after the soldier had departed, the old man set about his
task. True to his word, the painting went above the fireplace,
pushing aside thousands of dollars worth of art. His task completed,
the old man sat in his chair and spent Christmas gazing at the gift
he had been given.
During the days and weeks that followed, the man
realized that even though his son was no longer with him, the boy's
life would live on because of those he had touched. He would soon
learn that his son had rescued dozens of wounded soldiers before a
bullet stilled his caring heart. As the stories of his son's
gallantry continued to reach him, fatherly pride and satisfaction
began to ease his grief.
The painting of his son soon became his
most prized possession, far eclipsing any interest in the pieces for
which museums around the world clamored. He told his neighbors it
was the greatest gift he had ever received.
The following spring,
the old man became ill and passed away. The art world was in
anticipation, that with the collector's passing, and his only son
dead, those paintings would be sold at auction. According to the
will of the old man, all of the art works would be auctioned on
Christmas Day, the day he had received the greatest gift.
The day
soon arrived and art collectors from around the world gathered to bid
on some of the world's most spectacular paintings. Dreams would be
fulfilled this day; greatness would be achieved as many would claim,
"I have the greatest collection."
The auction began with a painting
that was not on any museum's list. It was the painting of the man's
son. The auctioneer asked for an opening bid, but the room was
silent. "Who will open the bidding with $100?," he asked. Minutes
passed, and no one spoke.
From the back of the room came a voice,
"Who cares about that painting? It's just a picture of his son."
"Let's forget about it and move on to the good stuff," more voices
echoed in agreement.
"No, we have to sell this one first," replied
the auctioneer. "Now, who will take the son?"
Finally, a neighbor
of the old man spoke. "Will you take ten dollars for the painting?
That's all I have. I knew the boy, so I'd like to have it."
"I have ten dollars. Will anyone go higher?" called the auctioneer.
After more silence, the auctioneer said, "Going once, going twice,
gone." The gavel fell.
Cheers filled the room and someone exclaimed,
"Now we can get on with it and we can bid on the real treasures!"
The auctioneer looked at the audience and announced that the auction was
over. Stunned disbelief quieted the room. Someone spoke up and
asked, "What do you mean, it's over? We didn't come here for a
picture of some old guy's son. What about all of these paintings?
There are millions of dollars worth of art here! I demand that you
explain what is going on!"
The auctioneer replied, "It's very
simple. According to the will of the father, whoever takes the
son...gets it all."
Puts things into perspective, doesn't it? Just
as those art collectors discovered on Christmas Day, the message is
still the same. The love of a Father, whose greatest joy came from
his Son who went away and gave his life rescuing others. And because
of that Father's love...whoever takes the Son gets it all.

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