Coping with the Loss of a Loved One: The Poor Art Lover and the Rich Patron

 

 

Learning of my wife’s untimely death twelve years ago, a Friend wrote:  If I were you, I would be screaming at the heavens "How could you!"

Here’s a story that came to me when people asked if I were angry with God for taking my wife home sooner than we had hoped.

The Poor Art Lover and the Rich Patron

Once there was a poor man who lived in a very modest cottage. He loved art but could afford only to cut out pictures from magazine to decorate his home. He often sighed looking at the pictures on wall, admiring their beauty and wondering what the originals must look like. 

One day he heard of a rich man who lived on a hilltop and had a magnificent art collection. He learned that sometimes this man would lend one of his pieces to those who loved art.

Feeling that he had nothing to lose, he called the rich man and to his surprise and joy he received on loan a priceless masterpiece--a work far more beautiful than anything he'd ever seen or imagined.

For twenty years the poor man enjoyed this masterpiece and it brightened up his life immeasurably. It was so beautiful that he often invited friends over to see it, and they were impressed not only by the painting, but by the change in their friend. The longer he had the painting, the more joyful and gracious he became.

Finally, one day a courier came from the rich man saying it was time to return the painting.

The man was heart-broken and began to weep. Reluctantly he returned the painting.

His friends called him and asked, "We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Are you angry with the rich man for taking back the painting?"

"How could I be angry?" the poor man replied. "It was a loan, not a gift.  I never did anything to deserve such a masterpiece. I am sad, but I am also grateful."

The courier left a note from the rich man. It said, "I am sorry to take away what was so precious to you, but after twenty years, it needed some restoration work. After it is restored, it will hang in my mansion along with other masterpieces and someday you will be invited here to live with me and enjoy all my treasures. Meanwhile, enjoy these glasses. In loving friendship, Your Patron."

Puzzled by the note's conclusion, the poor man tried on the glasses and didn't notice any change in his vision. His room looked just as drab as ever.

Just then several of his friends showed up at his door to console him on the loss of his picture. They knew he must be feeling sad, so they brought him some food and other gifts.

When the poor man saw his friends through his new glasses, he couldn't believe his eyes. They were glowing with such radiance and beauty that he was overwhelmed.

From that point, the poor man no longer felt poor, but incredibly rich. He looked forward to the day when he would return to his Patron's mansion, and he wished that everyone could have glasses such the ones he had been given.