10
As our scheme took hold, “Daily Bread” began providing lunch and dinner a fourth day each week and there was hope it would eventually be able to fully live up to its name. And with federal government surplus food shipments increasing, we added a food pantry to our operation.
We were indeed duplicating Jesus’s bread distribution miracle, aided as we were by modelling our contribution plan on the old-time Church indulgences. And all this made possible by a former nun, a “de-flocked priest,” and a creative accountant.
My thirty-third birthday was approaching, and I spent increasing amounts of time thinking about what I had done with my life, and what I still hoped to accomplish. I’m sure its symbolism was not lost on Tom and Theresa.
I remembered a cartoon which pretty much summed up my thoughts. This poor soul in a business and clutching a heavy sample case was standing nervously before the Pearly Gates, waiting to learn if he would be admitted to heaven. Saint Peter was poring over a ledger. Finally, he looked up and asked, “Salesman of the year in 1971? That’s it?”
I was confident that if, even five minutes from now, I were to find myself in that man’s place, I would have a better shot at getting into heaven. Perhaps Saint Peter would be impressed with my CPA. But I was certain that the assistance I had provided to “Daily Bread” – however dubious its legality — would be much more helpful.
But hopefully, the greater part of my life still lay ahead of me. Then I thought of Tom, trying to imagine all the amazing things he had done. And how, decades from now, my accomplishments would stack up against his. As I did this, I began to realize that this man was truly a living saint.
You could not help but love him. So, I easily understood how he – and not I – had ended up with such a wonderful woman. Did I still love her? Of course! I knew that I would love her until the day I died.
But Tom truly deserved her, and I was very happy that everything worked out for them. And better yet, in just the last couple of months, I had certainly added to their happiness – and to my own as well.
Indeed, for the first time in my life, I began to understand the proverb: “To give is better than to receive.” I don’t think there had been any time in my life when I was happier – with the possible exception of when, in 1955, the Brooklyn Dodgers finally beat the Yankees in the World Series. That miraculous event convinced me – and perhaps every person in Brooklyn – that all things were possible.
I asked myself: “Am I truly happy?” Well, to be completely honest, I certainly would have greatly preferred the Hollywood ending, where the boy ends up with the girl. But to have had that ending, the boy never should have let her go.
And yet, to see her so happy – probably a lot happier than I could have ever made her – well, that makes me happy. Tom is really perfect for her, although I laughed to myself thinking, “Couldn’t she have gotten someone a little younger?”
These last few months, helping them answer their life’s calling, I began to begin to recognize – if I was not being too presumptuous – my own calling. Even accountants can contribute to a great eternal plan.
Theresa and Tom took me out for dinner on my birthday. They had become my closest friends. Tom mentioned that his own birthday was just a few weeks away. It would be “the big six-oh!”
“Tom,” I can’t believe all the things you’ve done with your life!”
“You know, Harry, I must confess that your own life has been an inspiration to me!”
“Really?”
“Of course! For me, God was always there to guide me. And if I may be so presumptuous, God has also always been there to guide Theresa.”
“Hey, I think you guys should give yourselves a lot of credit. I’m sure the two of you are familiar with the adage, “God helps those who help themselves.”
“Of course we are!” replied Theresa. “That said, the individual still has to go out and do it!”
“Harry, just consider how much you’ve changed during these last few months. Think of how much more you’ve enabled us to help our guests.”
“You know what, Tom? I am forced to concede that you and Theresa are right! So I hope you remembered to order a birthday cake.”
As if on cue, the waiters came out of the kitchen singing “Happy Birthday,” and most of the diners joined in.”
