Link's Story from Great Uncle Bo

Ben's family has lots of traditions, and this is one of my favorites.

Every year we receive a very special holiday card with a new and original Christmas story. Ben's Uncle Bo  writes a new story annually for friends and family. This year was extra special, and Link got his very own story.

Thank you Great Uncle Bo! 

For anyone trying to follow the family tree that's Ben's mom's sister's husband.

Link’s Story
written and given with love

from Great Uncle Bo
December 14, 2013

Once upon a time, there was a boy named Link.

Link was thoughtful, and he was curious.  He would think long, quiet thoughts, and then he would wonder all sorts of things about them.  He liked to listen to stories and then imagine the story happening all over again.  He especially liked to imagine himself in the story… but he didn’t always know what the words in the stories meant.

“What is love?” he asked his mother one day.  

His mother, whose name was Julie, turned to the boy, warming him with her the bright sun of her smile.  She answered “Love is when you care more for others than for yourself.”

“Is that all?” asked the boy. 

Julie thought a moment, and then added “Love is when you feel lucky to be with someone.  When you feel lucky every day.  Like I feel about you.” She bent and kissed him and then returned to her work. 

Link went to his father, whose name was Ben, and watched him for a while, thinking back over one of his favorite stories, a bold tale of daring and heroism.  After a time, the thoughtful, curious boy asked “What is brave?”The happiness on his father’s face welcomed the boy. 

“What a wonderful question!” Ben exclaimed.  Link waited patiently. (He knew that his father thought almost all questions were wonderful.)   

Then his father got his answering look, which made his face get creases between his eyes.  Then he nodded, as though agreeing with something Link couldn’t hear.  Then he spoke: “Brave is when a person is frightened to do something but does it anyway.” 

“Is that all?” asked the boy.

Ben thought for a moment more, and then added “That’s all, but never mistake brave for fearless.  Fearless might be another word for foolish, because sometimes it’s very wise to feel fear. What we hope is that we will never let our fear make up our minds for us.  That’s why it’s good to be brave.”

That night at the dinner table, Link sat between his parents, as he always did.

“I have been thinking,” the boy announced.  His parents turned to listen, for they were always very interested to hear anything Link had been thinking.

“Mother,” said the boy, “today you told me that Love is when you care more for someone than you do for yourself.”

“That’s so,” said Julie. 

“And father,” continued Link, turning to Ben, “today you told me that Brave is when you’re frightened about something but you do it anyway.”

“You’re a good listener,” said Ben.

“Then here is what I think.” Link drew a deep breath and then continued.  “I think they are very nearly the same thing.  I think that it would help to be brave if you wish to love someone.  And I think it would help to love someone if you were a little bit brave.  I think they go together.”

The two adults smiled with delight at their wise little boy, and at each other for the great fortune that had brought him to them.

“I shall hope that I may love everyone there is,” concluded Link. “That way, I shall be the bravest person in the entire world.”

“And the luckiest,” added his mother. 

“I’m not sure,” said Ben.  “I think that the people who know him shall be the luckiest people in the world. And we’re the luckiest of all because we got to meet you first.”  He raised his glass. “To Link!” he said.

Julie raised hers in answer. “To Link!” she smiled. 

Link raised his own small cup.  “To everyone!”