Humor with
a Message
Or sometimes ...Just a Message ... or just
humor
From time to time a
thought provoking bit arrives in the
e-mail or from other sources.
Some of
it is humorous but it all makes you think.
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Billy Graham / Albert
Einstein
A short
story with a message. A parable of our
modern world.
Billy Graham
was 86 years old with Parkinson's disease.
In January 2000, leaders in Charlotte, North
Carolina, invited their favorite son, Billy
Graham, to a luncheon in his honor.
Billy initially hesitated to accept the
invitation because he struggles with
Parkinson's disease. But the Charlotte
leaders said, "We don't expect a major
address. Just come and let us honor you." So
he agreed.
After wonderful things were said about him,
Dr. Graham stepped to the rostrum, looked at
the crowd, and said, "I'm reminded today of
Albert Einstein, the great physicist who
this month has been honored by Time magazine
as the Man of the Century. Einstein was once
traveling from Princeton on a train when the
conductor came down the aisle, punching the
tickets of every passenger. When he came to
Einstein, Einstein reached in his vest
pocket. He couldn't find his ticket, so he
reached in his trouser pockets. It wasn't
there, so he looked in his briefcase but
couldn't find it. Then he looked in the seat
beside him. He still couldn't find it.
The conductor said, "Dr. Einstein, I know
who you are. We all know who you are. I'm
sure you bought a ticket. Don't worry about
it." Einstein nodded appreciatively. The
conductor continued down the aisle punching
tickets. As he was ready to move to the next
car, he turned around and saw the great
physicist down on his hands and knees
looking under his seat for his ticket.
The conductor rushed back and said, "Dr.
Einstein, Dr. Einstein, don't worry, I know
who you are. No problem. You don't need a
ticket. I'm sure you bought one."
Einstein looked at him and said, "Young man,
I too, know who I am. What I don't know is
where I'm going.'"
Having said that Billy Graham continued,
"See the suit I'm wearing?
It's a brand new suit. My wife, my children,
and my grandchildren are telling me I've
gotten a little slovenly in my old age. I
used to be a bit more fastidious. So I went
out and bought a new suit for this luncheon
and one more occasion.
You know what that occasion is? This is the
suit in which I'll be buried. But when
you hear I'm dead, I don't want you to
immediately remember the suit I'm wearing. I
want you to remember this:
I not only know who I am .. I also know
where I'm going."
May your troubles be less, your
blessings more,
and may nothing but happiness, come through
your door.
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St
Julie Billiart Parish