My mother used to ask me what is the most important part of the body. Through the years I would
guess at what I thought was the correct answer.
      When I was younger, I thought sound was very important to us as humans, so I said, "My ears,
Mommy." She said, "No. Many people are deaf. But you keep thinking about it and I will ask you again
soon."
      Several years passed before she asked me again. Since making my first attempt, I had contemplated the
correct answer. So this time I told her, "Mommy, sight is very important to everybody, so it must be our
eyes." She looked at me and told me, "You are learning fast, but the answer is not correct because there are
many people who are blind."
     Over the years, Mother asked me a couple more times and always her answer was, "No, but you are
getting smarter every year, my child."
     Then last year, my Grandpa died. Everybody was hurt. Everybody was crying. My Mom looked at me
when it was our turn to say our final good-bye to Grandpa. She asked me, "Do you know the most important
body part yet, my dear? " I was shocked when she asked me this now. I always thought this was a game
between her and me. She saw the confusion on my face and told me, "This question is very important. It
shows that you have really lived your life." I saw her eyes well up with tears. She said, "My dear, the most
 important body part is your shoulder." I asked, "Is it because it holds up your head?" She replied, "No, it is
because it can hold the head of a friend or loved one when they cry.
      Everybody needs a shoulder to cry on sometime in life, my dear. I only hope that you have enough love
and friends that you will have a shoulder to cry on when you need it." Then and there I knew the most
important body part is not a selfish one. It is sympathetic to the pain of others.