Can we just take a moment to be terribly sentimental? We realize it is a risk. The world is so cynical. We hope you read this is story and go “hum…” That’s it. We are all excited for the holiday for whatever reason. It could be because we know we are going to get something very special. Or perhaps be with someone very special. But, mostly what brings the best feeling is giving something very special.

This story is called “A Brother Like That”. It is set in a simpler time, and place. One where the boys still wore knickerbockers and caps and there was a grave disparity between the haves and the haven’ts.

“Paul had received an automobile from his brother uptown as a Christmas present. He always went a bit overboard this time of year and this time Paul was grateful. It would make getting to work simpler and he loved the thrill of driving. On Christmas Eve when Paul came out of his office, a street urchin was walking around the shiny new car, admiring it.

“Is this your car, Mister?” he asked.

Paul nodded. “My brother gave it to me for Christmas.” The boy was astounded. “You mean you bother gave it to you and it didn’t cost you nothing? Boy, I wish…” He hesitated. Of course Paul knew what he was going to wish for. He was going to wish he has a brother like that. But, what the lad said jarred Paul all the way down to his heels.

“I wish,” the boy went on, “that I could be a brother like that.”

Paul looked at the boy in astonishment, then impulsively he added, “Would you like to take a ride in my automobile?”

“Oh yes, I’d love that.”

After a short ride, the boy turned and with his eyes aglow, said, “Mister, would you mind driving in front of my house?” Paul smiled a little. He thought he knew what the lad wanted. He wanted to show his neighbors that he could ride home in a big automobile. But Paul was wrong again.

“Will you stop where those two steps are?” the boy asked. He ran up the steps. Then in a little while Paul heard him coming back, but he was not coming fast. He was carrying his little crippled brother. He sat him down on the bottom step, then sort of squeezed up against him and pointed to the car. “There she is, Buddy, just like I told you upstairs. His brother gave it to him from Christmas and it didn’t cost him a cent. And some day I’m gonna give you one just like it…then you can see for yourself all the pretty things in the Christmas windows that I’ve been trying to tell you about.”

Paul got out and lifted the lad to the front seat of his car. The shining-eyed older brother climbed in beside him and the three of them began a memorable holiday ride. That Christmas Eve, Paul learned what it meant when it was said;”It is more blessed to give…”

From all of us at Bowling.com we hope you have a wonderful season of giving and we are grateful you give us your time and custom. Have a fabulous holiday!