QUENTIN WEAVER
1945-2013
Some Say that Happiness is What We Make it
I was a successful businessman in middle age. One day an employee had a breakdown and showed up with a shotgun, intent on killing as many people as he could. By the time I had disarmed the man, I lost a hand and an eye. Weeks later, after I was released from the hospital, my savings were gone. My home was gone soon after that. The lead-shot that remained embedded in my head led to Parkinson’s disease and a deadly form of skin cancer developed. I could barely walk or even get out of a chair, but I was determined to be the most cheerful, positive person you had ever met.
I needed help to get around and thankfully I had friends who would help me. Going to doctor appointments and shopping was always and experience I enjoyed. You see, I had a secret agenda: never leave anyone without a smile. And I always succeeded. I learned everyone’s name, and I made sure to include it in my cheery goodbye. I always found opportunities to build people up by being generous with compliments. I also liked to tell corny jokes and poke fun at myself. Whatever it took to coax that smile.
A lot of people, if they were in my position, would blame God or become bitter, but not me!
“That’s no way to live, and I’ve still got a lot of living to do.”
Happiness is what we make it.
GOSPEL MIRRORING
Luke 6: 43-45
43 “A good tree does not bear rotten fruit, nor does a rotten tree bear good fruit.
44 For every tree is known by its own fruit. For people do not pick figs from thorn bushes nor do they gather grapes from brambles.
45A good person out of the store of goodness in his heart produces good, but an evil person out of a store of evil produces evil; for from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks.