Thursday, April 1, 2010

mr. z

in our fair city there is a kind and generous 93 year old man,
named mr. z.  he has donated millions of his hard earned dollars
to our impoverished school districts, hospitals, mental health
facilities, and libraries.

my father in law, who is 87, has lunch with him at 11:30 every
wednesday at snow fork restaurant.  their lifelong friendship is
based on mutual respect and affection.  

"well,  mr. z., what are you having today?"

"i'll just have whatever you're having."

and then they will share a steak sandwich.  something about
the contentment in their tradition melts my heart.  the next bit
of conversation goes like this:

"well, mr. z., the kids at the local elementary school need a
new gym floor.  should we help them out?"

"i'll just match whatever you give."

my father in law is a committed Christian, and mr. z. is a
devout jew, but that has never hindered this sweet friendship
one dash.   the disparate countries of the world could learn a
thing or two from these wise men.

yesterday, i was greeted at my front door with a gorgeous
easter lily.  mr. z. sends one every year.

i hope our children catch the spirit of their generosity.

love,
lea

"honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all
your crops . . . " proverbs 3:9

23 comments:

-stephanie- said...

I love the older generation. So much wisdom we could learn if we stop and take the time to listen to them.

http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ said...

Love this story! I can just see the 2 of them...Much to learn from this friendship!

Happy Easter to you and your family...

Sonja

Would still like that email... it's on my page if you feel like it.:)

Andrea said...

What lovely men. They are great role models for the younger men of today. My husband has shown me great generosity and I sure love him for it!

I don't get to make my rounds every day, but I just read down a few posts. So glad you have returned quickly! I love to read your letters, they are wonderful. Thank you Lea!

Have a great Easter!

Kate said...

what a great friendship. i bet the waitresses fight over who gets to serve those two gentlemen :)

Darcie said...

I can picture their little lunch in my mind right now. The youth, the young adults, us...could learn SO much from just watching the elderly. They are not a generation to be pitied, but a generation to learn from.

I Love Pretty Little Things said...

Oh...Each and every one of your posts touches my heart.
I love their friendship! Thanks for sharing.
Have a Wonderful, Wonderful Easter!
Joyce

Beth Priest said...

love the people of the greatest generation!

Jeannie B. said...

A wonderful reminder about giving. And also about the influence we each have on one another. Thank you.

Southern Lady said...

How sweet. Thanks for sharing that story of friendship and giving. Have a wonderful Easter!
Carla

bbb said...

please hug both their necks and thank them for everyone in our city.

myletterstoemily said...

bbb, consider it done! hbh had
fun seeing heb in that university
town. she said pb was funny, as
always.

Mountain Mama said...

awwww - so precious. love that "old" generation. we can learn so much from them.

blessings,
ashley

Single and Sane said...

They are both men of character, in a world that doesn't see nearly enough of that quality. Sweet story.

Julie Harward said...

Happy Easter to you! Love the sweet story. :D

Joan Elizabeth said...

We have been so wonderfully blessed to have two fine Christian gentleman to share our home this Easter. What a joy to share with people who have lived wise and beautiful lives.

Anonymous said...

"my father in law is a committed Christian, and mr. z. is a
devout jew"
.............
You know, I was thinking about this the other day. Think of a special place, where everyone decides to meet. One travels from their ocean home. Another from the mountains. Another from their farm on the plains. Each one makes the journey, and when they arrive they tell a different story of their travels - yet they all arrive in the same place.
This is how I see religion. We all may make different journeys, but we all wish to arrive in the same place. A place with God.
If only everyone could see that it is not so much the journey as it is the destination that matters!
Loved your post today.

BLissed-Out Grandma said...

Very sweet story...thanks for sharing.

Anonymous said...

My grandfather's best friend had an olive tree planted in my grandfather's honor in Jerusalem when he died. We are Presbyterian and he is Jewish.

I truly believe the world will only be changed when the good people in all religions unite.

Great story,
Caroline

Personalized Sketches and Sentiments said...

...a wonderful, sweet friendship!

Blessings & Aloha!

Cheri Bunch said...

I love this, Lea! Beautiful!

Cinnamon said...

What a beautiful picture of a sweet friendship~ Thanks for sharing.

~Cinnamon

elaine @ peace for the journey said...

Very tender and telling. Sounds like a movie...

peace~elaine

Thoughts on Life and Millinery. said...

A post deserving of a front page placement on the newspapers of the world.

Peace conference are best held in such a manner, and ripples then spread out to engage others to join and find the pleasure of peace.