Category : Stories

Sub Category : YoungAdult

Gina was one of those lucky children for whom learning came easy. So, when she became a parent, she naturally assumed that if she read to both of her children faithfully and offered them fun, educational playtime, they would follow in her footsteps. They too, would learn, retain materials and receive all as she had done. 
Amanda, her first child, was right on target. She learned quickly and earned good grades. However, even though Gina practiced the same methods with her second child, Eric, she sensed that life would be a challenge, not only for his teachers, but for Eric and herself personally. 
She did her part for the sweet, loving youngster who was never a discipline problem for anyone. She made sure his homework was completed each night, kept in touch with his teachers, and enrolled him in every assistance program the school had to offer. But, no matter how hard he struggled, report cards with C's were met with frustration and tears. Gina could see his discouragement and feared he would lose all interest in learning. Soon, she began to doubt herself. 
"Where had I failed my son?" she wondered. "Why couldn't I motivate him to help him succeed?" She felt if he didn't excel in school, he would be unable to create a life of his own or support himself, and perhaps a family someday. The thought worried Gina to no end. 
Eric was a sixteen year old boy when her eyes were opened. They were sitting in the living room after breakfast one Sunday morning when the phone rang. It was her sister who rang to inform her that their father had suffered a massive heart attack during the night and had died. He was seventy nine years old. 
'Papa', as Eric had called him, had been such a big part of her little boy's life during his first five years. Since her husband worked nights and slept days, it was Papa who took him for haircuts, ice cream and played baseball with him during those earlier times. Papa was his number one pal. 
When Gina's father left and moved back to the town where he grew up, Eric was lost without him. But time healed those wounds. Gradually, Eric came to understand his grandfather's need for old friends and roots of the past. For Eric, phone calls and visits from the grandfather he loved became a way of life. And his Papa never forgot him. 
When they entered the funeral parlour, Gina stood in the doorway and looked at her father, so still, so unlike the man she knew. Her children were on either side of her, and she felt Eric take her hand as they walked up to the casket. They shared their private moments together by the casket and then took their places on the side of the room as hundreds of friends filed by. Some shared sympathies and memories of her father's life. Others just touched her hand and walked away. 
With so many people there, she suddenly realised that Eric wasn't beside her. Concerned, she turned to look around the room and noticed him near the entranceway helping the elderly in need of assistance with the stairs or the door. All strangers to Eric, some with walkers, others with canes, many simply leaning on his arm as he led them to his grandfather's casket to pay their last respects. 
Later that evening, the funeral director mentioned to Gina that one more pallbearer was needed. Eric immediately said, "Please Sir, may I help?"
The director suggested he might prefer to stay with his sister and mother but Eric quickly shook his head. "My Papa carried me when I was little," he said, "now it's my turn to carry him." When Gina heard those words she started to cry. Tears streamed down her face like a burst dam. She felt so choked up inside she was afraid she could not stop crying. 
From that moment on, she knew she would never berate her son for imperfect grades. Never again would she expect him to be someone she had created in her own mind because that individual she envisioned was nowhere near the fine person her son had become. His compassion, caring and love were the gifts God had blessed him with. No book could have taught him these things. No degree framed behind glass would ever convey to the world the qualities Eric possessed. 
Eric is now twenty years old and continues to spread his kindness, his sense of humour and compassion for his fellow man wherever he goes. Today, Gina asks herself, "What difference do science and math grades make?" When a young man does the best he can, he deserves an 'A' from the heart.