I met a man sitting by the road of life. "Sir," I asked him, "why are you sitting in one spot instead of moving forward?"
"I lack confidence," he said.
"I can remedy that," I told him. "Let me carry you for a while and build you up. Then you can walk yourself."
I began to carry him with much enthusiasm, telling him the things I really liked about him. I could tell he was growing stronger as I watched his chest expand and his eyes light up. However, each day when I placed him on his own feet, he simply collapsed in one spot.
Finally, I began to grow tired. "I've carried you a long time," I said. "Wouldn't you like to try it on your own?"
"I can't make it without you," he stated. "Just take me a while longer. With your help, I believe I can eventually make something of myself."
I put him down beside the road and went on without him, thinking he would eventually catch up. But instead, he stayed seated beside the pathway of life, right where I left him.
When my strength was built up again, I spotted a woman waylaid beside the road.
"What's the matter, dear?" I asked her.
"If I only had enough money, I could move forward," she told me.
"My shoulders are broad. I will carry you until you get on your feet."
She was grateful when I gave her money for her necessities. She was so happy, I decided I could spare her a little extra for some of the pleasures of life.
I carried her many miles, until I was quite exhausted. "I cannot carry you any longer," I told her, "and I've run completely out of money, even for my own support."
She cried many tears as I walked down the road of life without her. She waited by the pathway for another to support her.
After building up my finances again, I met a child. "Honey," I asked her, "why are you sitting so peacefully by the path and not moving forward?"
"My parents won't let me," she stated. "They're ignorant and mean. I can't move forward because I lack opportunity."
"I can fix that," I shared. "Come with me."
She hopped on my back and off we went. I took her to school and sporting events. I arranged extracurricular activities that I felt suited her talents and aspirations. She did fine as long as I was beside her.
I carried her a few more years. She began to get very heavy. "I cannot take you forward any longer. You are perfectly able to walk yourself."
With her head in her hands, she cried softly. The young lady was not willing to travel on her own.
The next man I met sitting beside the pathway of life reached his arms out to me. "I'm crippled," he shared. "If you'll help me along, I'll eventually learn to walk on my own."
I continued on my journey without giving him much notice. I had learned the hard way that those who are carried never make it on their own.
"If you'll only take my arm, I will walk beside you," he said as he came limping up the pathway.
"You're moving ahead on your own!" I exclaimed as I watched him wince as he lurched forward. I assisted him when he needed it, sometimes taking his arm, but I didn't carry him. We continued to walk side by side.
Laurie Lechlitner can be contacted by email at Lauriel ech@aol.com.