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Many
years ago, as a young boy in school, I had a mentor who was
in my fourth grade class. He might have been just ten years
old, but he knew what he wanted to do with his life. All
through school, he made A??™s in every subject. I remember one
time, in the ninth grade, he kept telling the teachers that,
by the time he was thirty, he was going to be a millionaire.
So, it seemed, the only thing I could do was take every
subject with the same teachers, at the same time, with my
mentor. If he could be a millionaire by the age thirty, why
couldn??™t I?
In the
eleventh grade, my mentor chose the college he was going to
attend. He did not participate in sports; all he did was
study The Wall Street Journal. Day in and day out, he read
financial newspapers.
He said that his major in college would be accounting. I
found out the name of the college and got my parents to
agree to pay for my studies, at the same college. Having no
idea what my major was going to be, just going to the same
college was good enough for me. After graduation from high
school, we took the summer off before going away to college.
When we
got our degrees, four years later, he took off in a
different direction than me. After two years of searching, I
found him working for the I.R.S., in Denver, Colorado. Now,
I knew how he was going to become a millionaire. I checked
with the main office for a job. After about three weeks, I
got a job as an assistant to his office. He was very
surprised to see me. We had lunch, on numerous occasions,
and he talked about his future. He had six years left,
according to his time schedule, for becoming a millionaire.
I must admit that I never thought he would do it, but he
did. In five years, at the age of twenty-nine, he had
accomplished something most people just dream of ...
becoming a millionaire.
He
decided to quit work and explore the world and promised to
send me post cards.
Me? I
guess, I??™ll just be a poor man and work the rest of my life,
to try and save at least a hundred dollars. Some achieve
more in life than others and then want more. Some, however,
never get their feet off the ground floor, and yet are still
very happy.
He sent
me a post card from Switzerland, where he climbed the
highest mountain ... just to say he had been there. He,
even, went on a space shuttle to explore outer space. He
said he was so close to the stars he felt as if he could
reach out and touch them.
He
landed on the moon and, to prove it, he left a footprint or
two. I knew he was there, as I had seen him on television.
He sent me a card from Bermuda, saying he was going to the deepest part of the ocean ... to see the
creatures of the sea.
He led
an expedition that was going from the North Pole to the
South Pole. Maybe he wanted to have his name in The Guinness
Book of World Records for walking all those miles.
I found
out later that, upon his return from his expedition, he had
bought a mansion on a hill that cost him well over twenty
million dollars. He was letting folks know how rich he was
One day,
he came by the office and all the people cheered for him. He
looked about forty years older than when he had left on his
adventures. He was almost bald. When I came out of my
office, he ran up to me, shook my hand, and asked if I was
free for lunch.
"Sure,"
I said. "But, I insist on paying for it."
He
smiled, then nodded.
I had an
idea that he was almost broke. Surely he must be, after
going on all those trips and buying the new house.
When we got to the restaurant and sat at a table in the
back, he began telling me his story.
"My
adventures were not all that pleasant. I??™ve been a dancer,
singer, an actor, even had my name in lights. I??™ve been a
drunkard, even stole for food. On the way back home, I kept
thinking, surely, there was one more thing to do that no one
else has done before.
Landing
in New York, I realized what it was.
I took
another plane to the Middle East (Jerusalem, to be exact).
I went down to a boat rental and got a boat for the day. I
rowed out to the middle of the sea, the Sea of Galilee. I
stood up, stepped out onto the water and went under. I was
sure I went almost to the bottom. I was out of breath and
about to pass out. Then, I felt something pulling my body
up toward the surface 'til my head was out of the water.
I gasped
for air. Lifted back into the boat, I looked down at my
clothes. They were dry and the hairs on my head were not
wet. What was going on?
I looked
around to see who had pulled me out of the water. I wanted
to thank them for saving my life.
But, no one was anywhere around. I couldn??™t believe that I
had swam back up from being down so deep, even though I??™m a
very good swimmer. I looked around again, but saw no one.
Then, I finally looked at the sky.
I saw an
arm reaching down, then a face and a smile appeared.
I stood
up, raised my arms skyward, and said, ???Lord, why could I not
walk on these waters as you did?
I have done so many things, just because I knew I could do
them. I believed in myself and I believe in you. So, why
could I not do this???™
Then, I
heard a soft-spoken voice say, ???Yes, I know you believe in
me. I have watched you do many things in your life.
If you
know I believe, then why did I sink into the water???™ I
asked.
The Lord answered, ???Yes, you do believe in me. But, you
believe in your mind, not in your heart.??™ Then, the arms and
face slowly disappeared.
Robert
H. Gilbert, Jr.
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May you be blessed today
Bob Johnston
Editor / Publisher
To read archived stories, click on this link:
Archived
Starfish Stories
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Re: Barney, Al Batt
I read Al's story today. Afterwards,
I sat in thought for a minute and then the tears came, for
all the Barneys and all the things we've left undone.
Excellent story Al. I too have regrets, but its never too
late because now we have tomorrow to remind others and to
perform double time in our good deed department. This is a
heart-toucher of a story. I am grateful I paused to read it.
Ellie Braun-Haley
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Re: Just a Jigsaw Puzzle, Kathleene S. Baker
Hey Bob!
Kathy Baker has become a special
online friend, and we email each other just about daily! I
enjoy her Shiloh stories enormously, and I've forwarded many
of them, via your site. I love this story about her dad and
the jigsaw puzzles.
It reminds me of the summer I
introduced my mother-in-law to quilting. She was in her
sixties and had never thought about quilting, until I took a
class and showed her my work. Without telling anyone, she
bought a "sampler" book and embarked upon a journey that
gave her great satisfaction and produced some spectacular
quilts. When she passed away, almost two years ago, she
left enough quilts behind that her two children, three
grandchildren and six great-grandchildren all received
multiple quilts. Who says you can't teach an old
dog..................?
Thanks so much for your
presentations. I'm still working on sequels to Starlight,
Starbright...; but I have a couple stories in mind for you,
should they ever get written.
Barbara Elliott Carpenter
www.barbaraelliottcarpenter.com
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Re: Broken Dreams, Jaye Lewis
Please let Ms Lewis know that I am
in total agreement with her. But I also pray for all our
soldiers and civilians in harms way fighting evil. God Be
with them All.
Dianne Chambers
GOD BLESS AMERICA!
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Re: Broken Dreams, Jaye Lewis
AMEN!
~Janeane~
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Re: An Inspiring Message, Philip Jones
Thank you for printing: An Inspiring
Message, Philip Jones
I began by scanning through the
article, but was quickly pulled in by the words written
there. This one really touched home for me and the message
is the best that can be given for anyone whose life has been
altered by cancer.
Kathy Anne Harris
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Re: Tribute to Aunt Lillie
Hi Bob,
I have returned to a full time job
about four months ago and since then, I haven't had any time
to do so many things I used to do. However I am now getting
used to the routine and am trying hard to make time for the
things I love to do... write, and read.
This story by Kathleene Baker really
touched me. With every word, I felt like I got to know "Aunt
Lillie" and when she passed away and her son had so little
respect for her remains, I was at outraged as the writer.
What a relief that stones were finally ordered and the final
resting places were marked. This was a wonderful tribute and
I so enjoyed reading Kathleene's memories of her beloved
Aunt Lillie.
Maria Harden
Winnipeg, MB
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Bob - thank you so much for today's
story about my dear aunt. I hadn't read it since sending it
to you, and it brought tears to my eyes............some
happy and some sad.
I know how proud she must feel today
(angels can read, you know )!!
I just can't thank you enough,
Kathy
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What a remarkable lady!!!!!!!!!And
how blessed anyone was that knew her!!!!
Donna K. Becker
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Re: The Queen of My Heart, Norma Liles
I always love Norma Liles stories,
she is a wonderful writer and person. I've missed her since
she's been away visiting her family. But know she's having
a blessed time with them all together.
Sincerely,
Barbara J. Weymouth
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Hello Bob,
I am still an avid member of
Starfish and read it religiously and I am so proud of Norma
Liles who is a great inspiration to me. Thanks for your
great site. I have been busy writing with 2 doctors so I
haven't had time for myself to do much writing but I do take
time to read email and especially Star Fish. God Bless,
Dorothy C.
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Re: OZ
I loved Al Batt's Wizard of Oz story
today. That movie has been my favorite ever since I first
saw it when I was knee high to a grasshopper, more years ago
than I care to admit. Now I have my five year old grandson
loving the movie just as much as I do, and we often watch it
together as though seeing it for the first time. Thanks for
the nostalgic memory and the belief that clicking those ruby
slippers three times can be the answer to your dreams.
Maria Harden
Winnipeg, MB
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Re: Joseph's Living Legacy, Kathie Kroot
What a lovely story. I am also a
organ donor. And when my time comes I pray I can do as
well. there is nothing of my old body that I wish to not
give. I just hope it does as much good as Joseph's. May
God bless his family and his soul rest in peace. He is in
heaven smiling down on the rest of us.
Dianne |
