The Art Collection

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   Years ago, there was a very wealthy man who, with his devoted young
 son, shared a passion for art collecting.  Together they traveled around
 the world, adding only the finest art treasures to their collection.
 Priceless works by Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet and many others adorned the
 walls of the family estate.
   The widowed elder man looked on with satisfaction as his only child
 became an experienced art collector.  The son's trained eye and sharp
 business mind caused his father to beam with pride as they dealt with
 art collectors around the world.
   As winter approached, war engulfed the nation, and the young man left
 to serve his country.  After only a few short weeks, his father received
 a telegram.  His beloved son was missing in action.  The art collector
 anxiously awaited more news. fearing he would never see his son again.
   Within days, his fears were confirmed, the young man had died while
 rushing a fellow soldier to a medic.
   Distraught and lonely, the old man faced the upcoming Christmas
 holidays with anguish and sadness.  The joy of the season, that he and
 his son had so looked forward to, would visit his house no longer.
   On Christmas morning, a knock on the door awakened the depressed, old
 man. As he walked to the door, the masterpieces of art on the walls only
 reminded him that his son was not coming home.  As he opened the door,
 he was greeted by a soldier with a large package in his hands. He
 introduced himself to the man by saying, "I was a friend of your son. I
 was the one he was rescuing when he died.  May I come in for a few
 moments?  I have something to show you."
   As the two began to talk, the soldier told of how the man's son had
 told everyone of his, not to mention his father's, love of fine art.  "I
 am an artist," said the soldier, "and I want to give you this."
   As the old man unwrapped the package, the paper gave way to reveal a
 portrait of the man's son.  Though the world would never consider it the
 work of a genius, the painting featured the young man's face in striking
 detail. Overcome with emotion, the man thanked the soldier, promising to
 hang the picture above the fireplace.  A few hours later, after the
 soldier had departed, the old man set about his task. True to his word,
 the painting went above the fireplace, pushing aside thousands of
 dollars worth of art.  His task completed, the old man sat in his chair
 and spent Christmas gazing at the gift he had been given.
   During the days and weeks that followed, the man realized that even
 though his son was no longer with him, the boy's life would live on
 because of those he had touched.  He would soon learn that his son had
 rescued dozens of wounded soldiers before a bullet stilled his caring
 heart.
   As the stories of his son's gallantry continued to reach him, fatherly
 pride and satisfaction began to ease his grief.  The painting of his son
 soon became his most prized possession, far eclipsing any interest in
 the pieces for which museums around the world clamored.  He told his
 neighbors it was the greatest gift he had ever received.
   The following spring, the old man became ill and passed away.  The art
 world was in anticipation, that with the collector's passing, and his
 only son dead, those paintings would be sold at auction.  According to
 the will of the old man, all of the art works would be auctioned on
 Christmas Day, the day he had received the greatest gift.
   The day soon arrived and art collectors from around the world gathered
 to bid on some of the world's most spectacular paintings. Dreams would
 be fulfilled this day; greatness would be achieved as many would claim,
 "I have the greatest collection."
   The auction began with a painting that was not on any museum's list.
 It was the painting of the man's son.  The auctioneer asked for an
 opening bid, but the room was silent.
   "Who will open the bidding with $100?," he asked.  Minutes passed, and
 no one  spoke.  From the back of the room came a voice, "Who cares about
 that  painting?  It's just a picture of his son."  "Let's forget about
 it and move  on to the good stuff," more voices echoed in agreement.
   "No, we have to sell this one first," replied the auctioneer. "Now,
 who will  take the son?"  Finally, a neighbor of the old man spoke.
 "Will you take ten  dollars for the painting?  That's all I have.  I
 knew the boy, so I'd like to have it." >
   "I have ten dollars.  Will anyone go higher?" called the auctioneer.
 After more  silence, the auctioneer said, "Going once, going twice,
 gone." The gavel fell.
   Cheers filled the room and someone exclaimed, "Now we can get on with
 it and we can bid on the real treasures!"
   The auctioneer looked at the audience and announced that the auction
 was over.  Stunned disbelief quieted the room.  Someone spoke up and
 asked, "What do you mean, it's over?  We didn't come here for a picture
 of some old guy's son.  What about all of these paintings?  There are
 millions of dollars worth of art here!  I demand that you explain what
 is going on!"
   The auctioneer replied, "It's very simple.  According to the will of
 the father, whoever takes the son...gets it all."
   Puts things into perspective, doesn't it?  Just as those art
 collectors discovered on Christmas Day, the message is still the same.
 The love of a Father, whose greatest joy came from his Son who went away
 and gave his life rescuing others.  And because of that Father's
 love...whoever takes the Son gets it all.
                                 - Author Unknown -