The Most Important Body Part . . .

My mother used to ask me what is the most important part of the body..?
Through the years I would take a guess at what I thought was the correct answer.
When I was younger, I thought sound was very important to us as humans, so
I said, "My ears, Mommy." She said "No-Many people are deaf.. But you
keep thinking about it and I will ask you again soon."

Several years passed before she asked me again. Since making my first
attempt, I had contemplated the correct answer. So this time I told her,
"Mommy, sight is very important to everybody, so it must be our eyes."
She looked at me and told me, "You are learning fast, but the answer is
not correct because there are many people who are blind.."

Stumped again, I continued my quest for knowledge and over the years,
Mother asked me a couple more times and always her answer was, "No. But
you are getting smarter every year, my young child."

Then last year, my grandpa died. Everybody was hurt.
Everybody was crying. Even my father cried. I remember that
especially because it was only the second time I saw him cry.
My Mom looked at me when it was our turn to say our final goodbye to Grandpa.
She asked me, "Do you know the most important body part yet, my son..?"

I was shocked when she asked me this now. I always thought this was a
game between her and me. She saw the confusion on my face and told me,
"This question is very important. It shows that you have really lived in
your life. For every body part you gave me in the past, I have told you
was wrong and I have given you an example why. But today is the day you
need to learn this important lesson.." She looked down at me as only a
mother can. I saw her eyes well up with tears. She said, "Son, the most
important body part is your shoulder . . ."

I asked, "Is it because it holds up my head..?" She replied, "No, it is because it can hold
the head of a friend or a loved one when they cry. Everybody needs a shoulder to cry
on sometime in life, my son. I only hope that you have enough Love and Friends that you
will always have a shoulder to cry on when you need it.."

Then and there I knew the most important body part is not a selfish
one-it is sympathetic to the pain of OTHERS..

You are my friend and whenever you want, you may cry on my shoulder . . .