The Ultimate Gift Part 4

I a.s.sured Jason that it met both the spirit and the letter of Red Stevens' final will and testament.

Jason glanced at his watch and said, "If that's all, I need to hurry to be at another appointment on time."

I told him that would be fine, and as Miss Hastings was showing him to the door, she asked, "Where are you rus.h.i.+ng off to, Jason?"

He said, "I have to meet a special friend in front of the swing set at the park. I will see you both tomorrow."

EIGHT.

THE GIFT OF FAMILY.

Some people are born

into wonderful families.

Others have to find or create them.

Being a member of a family

is a priceless privilege

which costs nothing but love.

The following day, Jason Stevens, Miss Hastings, and I gathered in the conference room for our monthly meeting which was becoming a welcomed ritual for me. We sat in our established places. I was lost in thoughts of what the next month might bring as Miss Hastings started the videotape.

Red Stevens greeted Jason warmly. "h.e.l.lo, and congratulations on learning to value the gift of problems. That lesson will serve you well all the days of your life. You are now entering the sixth month of our one-year remedial lesson in life. This month, you will begin to understand and respect the gift of family.

"Now, Jason, I realize that our family is about as messed up as a family can be, and I accept my full share of responsibility for that. However, the best or the worst family situation can teach us a lesson. We either learn what we want or, unfortunately, we learn what we don't want in life from our families. Out of all the young men in the world, I have selected you. I have asked Mr. Hamilton to undertake this monumental task on my behalf for you because you are my great-nephew. It's hard to understand why that means something, but I want you to know that it does.

"Families give us our roots, our heritage, and our past. They also give us the springboard to our future. Nothing in this world is stronger than the bond that can be formed by a family. That is a bond of pure love that will withstand any pressure as long as the love is kept in the forefront.

"It's important for you to realize that families come in all shapes and sizes. Some very blessed people are able to live their whole lives as part of the families they were born into. Other people, like you, Jason-through a set of circ.u.mstances-are left without family other than in name. Those people have to go out and create family.

"I know this seems odd to you, but by the end of this month, I believe you will begin to understand what I am trying to tell you. This month, you, Mr. Hamilton, and Miss Hastings will be going on another trip. You will be meeting people who seem to have no family, and in this way I am hoping you will learn the value that a family can provide.

"At the end of this month, I will ask you to demonstrate to Mr. Hamilton that you know and understand what the gift of family means.

"Mr. Hamilton has all the details for your trip, and a.s.suming you accomplish this objective, I will talk to you next month."

Jason turned to me and said, "I don't suppose you're going to tell me where we're going, what we're going to do, or whom we're going to meet, are you?"

I smiled and said, "All in good time, young man. I have been instructed to tell you only what you need to know and only when you need to know it."

Miss Hastings interrupted. "I believe we have made arrangements to pick you up at your home at 7:30 in the morning. We will be traveling several hours by automobile. Please be prepared to stay one month in a climate similar to the one which we are enjoying here in Boston."

The next morning, Miss Hastings and I were comfortably installed in the back of a long, black limousine driven by a very large gentleman selected especially for this mission. We pulled up in front of Jason's palatial home, which his great-uncle had purchased for him via a trust fund.

Our driver got out and went to the front door to collect Jason and his luggage. A few moments later, I saw the chauffeur-easily carrying both of Jason's suitcases in one hand-leading Jason toward the car. Jason seemed a bit timid around the giant, and when the back door was opened to let Jason in, he appeared relieved to be in the company of Miss Hastings and me.

"Who in the world is that huge guy?" asked Jason.

Miss Hastings replied cheerily, "Oh, you mean Nathan? He is a very nice young man selected especially for this trip."

"What does that mean?" Jason asked.

Miss Hastings just smiled and sipped on a cup of coffee.

I turned and shook hands with Jason, greeting him. "Good morning, Jason. All will become clear at the appropriate time. For now, I suggest you sit back and relax, and I will tell you some of the details as we approach our destination."

We enjoyed a beautiful drive out of Boston, across eastern Ma.s.sachusetts, and into New Hamps.h.i.+re. As we turned north along the coast, I began to explain our trip to Jason.

"Before too long, we will be entering the state of Maine. We will travel several miles into a private forest, and we will arrive at the Red Stevens Home for Boys, where you will be a subst.i.tute houseparent for the next month. This will give the resident houseparent an opportunity for a well-deserved vacation and will give you an opportunity to get very well acquainted with thirty-six boys ranging in age from six to sixteen."

Jason stared at me dubiously and said, "I thought I was supposed to be learning about family. How in the world did that old man think I would learn about family from a bunch of orphans?"

"That old man, as you so eloquently put it, started this place over thirty years ago and has funded it ever since," I responded. "He knew it inside and out, and I am sure the lesson he has planned for you can be found there. I just hope for your sake you can keep an open mind and find it."

"Well, it doesn't make any sense to me," Jason mumbled.

"Nevertheless, you're in for a unique month, to say the least," I said. "As your great-uncle made me the chairman of the board of this inst.i.tution upon his death, Miss Hastings and I will spend the month working in the office, dealing with some of the donors, and seeing to next year's budget."

A few moments later, we drove off of the main highway and onto a gravel side road. We pa.s.sed a rustic sign reading, Red Stevens Home for Boys. Several moments later, our excellent driver, Nathan, guided the limousine to a stop in the middle of a courtyard surrounded by several buildings, including a dining commons, a dormitory, a cla.s.sroom building, a gymnasium, and an administration building.

Nathan got out of the limousine and opened the rear door for the three of us to get out. As he was getting the luggage out of the trunk, the door to the dormitory burst open, and an entire herd of young boys rushed to Nathan and began to mob him. He picked several of them up in the air, hugged several more, and slapped hands with still others. They were all calling his name and seemed to be terribly excited to see him.

Finally, the enthusiastic greeting seemed to be over when Nathan said in a tone that would be hard to ignore, "Now, men, let's get into our dormitory and make sure everything is squared away, because we have a new houseparent here for the month."

The boys responded immediately and rushed back into their dormitory. Nathan, somehow carrying all the luggage at once without seeming to be burdened down, led us into the dormitory. There were two rows of bunks lining each wall with lockers in between.

Nathan dropped Jason's luggage onto the first bunk and said, "Welcome home. This will be your palace for the next thirty days. Mr. Hamilton and Miss Hastings will be staying in the private apartments connected to the administration building."

Nathan turned back to Jason and said, "I would suggest you get unpacked and settled in. You have a lot of catching up to do."

We all agreed to meet in the dining room in approximately twenty minutes. Nathan showed Miss Hastings and me to the two comfortable apartments adjoining the administration building.

At the agreed upon time, we were all seated at the end of a long table in the dining room. Several dozen boys streamed in and sat at what appeared to be a.s.signed places. They were talking excitedly and seemed to be curious about us as a group of outsiders gathered at the end of their table.

After several moments, Nathan stood to his full height, which was, indeed, impressive. I estimated at least 6 feet, 8 inches. At that point, the boys went silent, and Nathan spoke.

"Boys, as you know, your regular houseparent, Brad, will be on vacation for the next month. Jason Stevens will be filling in for him."

Nathan turned to Jason and said, "Stand up, Jason."

Jason stood slowly, and a chorus of young boys called out in ragged unison, "Hi, Jason."

Jason cleared his throat and stammered, "Hi." Jason sat back down quickly.

Nathan resumed his address to the young boys. "Also, Mr. Hamilton and Miss Hastings will be with us for the next month as well. Some of you will remember them being here during our board of director visits with Mr. Stevens. They are very fine people that we are lucky to have here."

Then Nathan bowed his head and gave thanks for the food. All of the boys followed suit and were polite and respectful throughout the meal.

As we enjoyed our lunch, Jason asked Nathan, "Have you been here before?"

Nathan laughed and responded, "You better believe it. The first time I came here, I was smaller than the smallest kid at this table. I was in and out of a few foster homes, but when I think of the good things from my childhood, they all happened here."

"Do you work here now or something?" Jason asked.

Nathan laughed, which sounded like a low rumble of thunder. "Yes and no," he said. "I guess people would think of my main job as being the tight end for the New England Patriots, but as soon as the season's over, I do whatever I can to be useful around here."

Jason seemed shocked and said, "I'm sorry. I thought you were just a limo driver."

"Well, today I am, and proud to do it," Nathan responded. "Tomorrow I may be the head maintenance man or disciplinarian here. One of the things we learned from Red Stevens when I was growing up is that we all do what needs to be done because it's the right thing to do."

"Well, what am I supposed to do here?" Jason asked.

"I believe Mr. Stevens' instructions through Mr. Hamilton were to let the boys help you figure out what you're supposed to do here," Nathan answered. "So, if they're done eating, I will take Mr. Hamilton and Miss Hastings to the administration building to discuss next year's budget and let your lessons begin."

Nathan slapped Jason on the back with a giant hand and led Miss Hastings and me from the dining room building. As we were pa.s.sing through the door, I heard Jason calling to us, "Look, I don't have a clue here. I've never been around any kids."

The young boys around the table all erupted into laughter which could be heard as we walked across the courtyard and into the administration building.

For the next month, Miss Hastings and I did all of the legal and budgetary work required for the coming year. We did have several opportunities each day to look in on Jason, and Nathan told us he would keep us informed.

For the first several days, Jason seemed like a stranger. But, eventually he settled into his duties as father, brother, teacher, and friend to three dozen boys. On the last day, as Nathan was loading our luggage into the limousine, each of the boys came out, one at a time, to tell Jason good-bye. Hugs were exchanged, a few tears were shed, and Jason received a number of gifts which would be considered exceedingly valuable to young boys. I noticed several oddly shaped rocks, a four-leaf clover, and an arrowhead, among other heartfelt offerings.

As Nathan drove us out of the courtyard along the gravel driveway, Jason was turned in the seat waving to the boys until they were out of sight. We sat in silence until we were well along the highway back to Boston.

Finally, Jason spoke. "You know what's amazing? Not one of those boys has a family, but each of them knew more about a family than I did. I think family is not as much about being related by blood as it is about relating through love."

The limousine horn honked, and Nathan let out a blood-curdling yell which I am sure serves him well on the football field. "You finally got it!" he shouted. "I thought you were pretty useless when you got here, but I knew that if you were related to Red Stevens, we had a chance. You see, you come from a great family, and so do I."

NINE.

THE GIFT OF LAUGHTER.

Laughter is good medicine for the soul.

Our world is desperately in need

of more such medicine.

When you become an octogenarian, you find yourself dealing with your memories and your mortality. I was sitting in my office thinking of all the wonderful memories I carried with me, and my mind drifted back to Red Stevens.

I had just gotten out of law school and opened my office. The sign on the door read, Hamilton and a.s.sociates. The a.s.sociates part was more of a wish than a reality, as I spent the majority of each day by myself.

One day, I heard the bell on the outer door ring. I knew that my part-time secretary had already left for the day, so I got up and rushed out to see who it was. There stood a formidable man I later learned was Red Stevens. He told me that he was going to be the biggest oil man and the biggest cattleman in Texas, and he was looking for a good lawyer. He said that he had called the best law school in America and learned that I had graduated first in my cla.s.s the previous spring.