diogenes: Dear Journal,
Last night, I had dinner with my parents at a new Mexican Restaurant (not that Texas needed another one). The food was adequate, the service was prompt and professional, and the atmoshpere was generic. There was something special about this particular meal.
It wasn't just the gleam in the eyes of the smiling, plump blonde that served us. It was something my Father said during the conversation.
My Father is an industrious man, who could easily live better than his modest country life. Instead he chose to give and help, rather than hoard and live lavishly. Sometimes my Father has been wronged by those he has tried to help. And it has happened again recently. Mom asked him what he was going to do about it. Without hesitation in neither speech nor meal, he said simply that He would continue to believe in people, continue to help, and someday he would be appreciated.
I stared at him in awe. An awkward blend of pride and shame welled up within me, and nearly spilled from my eyes.
I have always known that people are rotten within themselves. It is evident in every child. Think about it. A child doesn't need to be taught how to lie. They will do it automatically, without any instruction. People are wicked by nature, and must learn how to be virtuous. This is something I believe to be true, yet it humiliates me to admit it.
My Father has given, and been wronged in return. Yet he does not it as a disadvantage, and will continue to give, not for his own merit, but simply because it is right.
Takes a lot of courage to forget the wrongs and go on ..
