Friday, June 1, 2012

Sweet Old Man

Since Nel is getting married very soon, I thought she would like this story.  I heard it many years ago, and wanted to share it with you.

In ancient India a certain young princess
was being married.  Everyone in the
kingdom prepared the finest, most
elaborate gifts they could find.  Everyone,
that is, except a little old man who was
allowed to live in the tower of the temple
in exchange for ringing the bells on very
sacred occasions.  He loved the princess, as
did all her subjects, but he had no money
to buy a gift nor the talent to make one.
As the time grew shorter he was more
and more downcast.
At last the day arrived, and just as the
radiant bride was entering the temple,
the people were amazed to hear the bells
pealing mightily and beautifully.  The
princess was obviously pleased.  She looked
up and smiled at the old man.  It was the
happiest moment in his life, and it began
the custom of ringing the church bells to
proclaim a wedding.



  
Have a nice weekend, my friends.
If you hear any bells, please let me know.



~Sheri

26 comments:

Teresa said...

I'm hearing several when I read this blessed story. :tearsinmyeyes:

And, don't know why (maybe because I'm a mother of a girl) I've been thinking about the lovely moments your lovely family are about to live and sending blessings so you have a Magical Day and Wonderful times ahead with the new Son.

A little sharing: the presents I still have from my wedding, 23 years ago, are mostly images: in the street I was raised there was a woman who sold fruit (on the street)and on the morning of my wedding she didn't sell, she put her best dress, she even asked for help with her hair, and was waiting in my grandomother's flat door to wave me goodbye and give her best wishes when I was leaving the house - she was "caught" (and awfully embarassed with it) on the movie - and I still cry remembering her in my life since ever and on that day... God, all Gold in the world wouldn't have pleased me that much.

Treasure the big and treasure the small. Because both will make what and how you are as a whole.

Wishing you Happy Weekend,
Teresa

Anonymous said...

Cherish the bells, my friend. Only the few who listen with open hearts can actually hear their true proclamation of love. ;)

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this story! Nel's very blessed to have a mama like you.
MUAH!
Marcia

Anonymous said...

What a lovely story! How sweet of you to share it with us! It is a great reminder to all of us that it's NOT the size or amount of money spent on the gift that counts but what is in the heart ~

Bon Weekend!
~ Kris

K @ Aurora Blythe said...

What a lovely story! Thanks for sharing and congrats to Nel!

NanaDiana said...

What a great story. The best gift of al, I should say! Blessings, xo Diana

miss b said...

That's such a lovely story - a nice one to tell children too!
http://missbbobochic.blogspot.co.uk/

Susie Swanson said...

What a beautiful story and gift, thanks for sharing and congrats to Nel..Have a nice weekend, Blessings, Susie

Elaine said...

Such a lovely story..no bells today only sirens they tested at noon. happy weekend..may there be many bells tolling for you

Sandy said...

Sheri, you always have the best stories to tell. Love the sound of church bells. What a gift! We have a couple churches in my little town that ring their bells on special occasions and on Sundays too. Love that sound!

Barbara said...

Church bells on Sunday, weddings and funerals, I love the sound of it.

And what a lovely story, thank you for sharing.

Love,
B.

Castles Crowns and Cottages said...

OH SHERI!!!!! SHE IS GETTING MARRIED SOON and I must get those wands out to you THIS WEEKEND!!!!!!!! EEEEEK!!! PLEASE REMIND ME OF THE DATE, PLEASE!!!!

Oh bells....there is something magical about that. WHen I was in France, I would hear the bells ringing in the old villages. I would walk to the bakery in the early morning to the tune of the bells. ROMANCE and old world beauty in that sound.

AND you came by to revel in the blue beaches of GREECE, my long-time dream destination. Water soothes me and that color is dynamic. YOU SHOULD SEE this color for yourself as you will NEVER EVER BELIEVE how aqua it is! When I was in Nice France I would wake up to the aqua blue of the beach every morning...what bliss.

Ooooo, I want to see your CASTLE bird cage!!! Do send me a pic via email when you can and DO REMIND ME OF Nel's wedding date! I will however get those wands out in the post!! LOVE! Anita

Patty Patterson said...

What a sweet story. I'll be listening for bells at the wedding I am shooting today and thinking about this!

Tulla and Catie said...

When reading your sweet little story, I went all goose-pimply (is that right to express that you are overflowing with emotion?). Congratulations to your daughter, wish you all a happy marriage!
♥ from Barbara

Michele said...

Thanks for following me too Sheri ~ You put a smile on my face today.

Michele
Pearl 13.1

andrea@townandprairie said...

I think you definitely have to have bells at the shower, now!

TARYTERRE said...

What a lovely story. I never heard it before. Downtown the church bells ring here. It always stops me in my tracks and fills me with joy. take care.

Draffin Bears said...

Dear Sheri,

Lovely story and thanks for sharing.
You and your family must be getting very excited with the wedding coming up.
My children's apartment is opposite a beautiful old church and the bells often toll and it is such a beautiful sound.

Happy new week
Hugs
Carolyn

LILA MOONLIGHT said...

Very sweet story. I am sure in Nel's wedding the bells will make all of you smile as well : ) For some years I lived next to a church and never minded the bells sound, and my baby enjoyed it too :) Barcelona can be very hot in July-August but the rest of the year it is just fun to go around, late May was just perfect for me : ) Flamingo prints are very popular now, am sure Jess will come across with some lovely prints as well. Jess is so lucky going to Caribbean, I wish I were going to : )

Rainbow Gatherer said...

lovely story =)
I'll be happy if you check out my blog too=)

Cottage and Broome said...

Sheri, Loved the story. Weddings are such a special event they should be celebrated with ringing bells! Hope that wedding planning is going smoothly, love hearing about it, Laura

Vær våken said...

How wonderful! You must be so excited. What a wonderful thing to see your daughter get married :) : Good luck with everything! Wish I could be there to take some photos! :)

Kristin xx

Rae said...

Love your new header!!Wonderful story, I love bells, the sound of the bells ringing are so romantic!!Much love to you dear friend!!

Anonymous said...

What a beautifull story, ...I really enjoyed it!

Love,
Esther

oldthings said...

Dear Sheri
Wonderful story! Nell has so sweet mother! Thanks for sharing the story with us.
Olympia

romance-of-roses said...

What a darling story. Happy days ahead for all of you with your dgt getting married and busy too.
Thank you for stopping by, but you must come back, I just listed an old chair that now has a new life. Come see..Lu

romance-of-roses said...

Sheri, thank you for coming back. I just left your daughter a comment on a couple of Greek wines. My granddaughter is in Greece right now, she went for one month she just loves it there and they have many relatives from her daddy. Hugs...Lu