In 1971 the New York Post wrote a true story about a man who lived in a small town in White Oak, Georgia, United States. This man married a good and beautiful woman, but unfortunately he never appreciated her. He did not become a good husband and father. He often came home at night drunk and beat the child and his wife.
One day he decided to venture into New York. He stole money from the savings of his wife, and took a bus to the north, to the big city, into a new life. In company with some of his friends he started a new business. For a while he enjoyed his new life. Sex, gambling, drug was his new lifestyle. He enjoyed it all. Very soon his business failed, and he became bankrupt. To sustain himself, he began to engage in criminal acts. He wrote fake check’s and used it to deceive people's money. Finally, one fateful moment, he was caught. The police put him behind bars, and the court sentenced him for three years in prison.
One day he decided to venture into New York. He stole money from the savings of his wife, and took a bus to the north, to the big city, into a new life. In company with some of his friends he started a new business. For a while he enjoyed his new life. Sex, gambling, drug was his new lifestyle. He enjoyed it all. Very soon his business failed, and he became bankrupt. To sustain himself, he began to engage in criminal acts. He wrote fake check’s and used it to deceive people's money. Finally, one fateful moment, he was caught. The police put him behind bars, and the court sentenced him for three years in prison.
Toward the end of his prison time, he began to miss home. He missed his wife and his child. Mustering up courage he finally decided to write a letter to his wife, to tell her how sorry he was & that he still loved them.He wished he could be accepted and allowed to come back. But he also understood that maybe it was too late, so he ended his letter by writing, "Honey, you do not need to wait for me. But if you forgive me and still love me, can you give me a sign? If you still want me to come back to you, pls tie a yellow ribbon for me on the only one banyan tree in the center of town. When I pass that way and don’t see a ribbon on that tree, I will know and understand. I promise I will not get down from the bus, and will continue to Miami. I will never again disturb you and the kid all my life. "
Finally the release day arrived. He was very nervous, thinking of what his wife has decided. He had not received a letter from his wife. He did not know whether his wife received his letter or even if she did receive and read the letter, if she has forgiven him?
He took a bus to Miami, Florida, which passed through his town, White Oak. He was very nervous and he shared his story with the people in the bus. The whole bus heard his story, and they asked the bus driver, "Please, pass through White Oak town and go slowly. We have to see what will happen ..."
His heart pounded as the bus approached the center of White Oak. He did not dare raise his head and he broke into cold sweat profusely. All of a sudden he heard the whole bus cheering for him and he raised his head to see the tree. With tears still clouded in his eyes, he struggled to see and what he saw just amazed him. There was not one piece of ribbon on that tree but there were hundreds of pieces of yellow ribbons hung on that banyan tree ....
The Driver pulled over and phoned the wire services to share the story. It quickly spread throughout the country. Songwriters Irwin Levine and L. Russell Brown wrote the ballad from the news story. "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree" was a massive worldwide hit in 1973 for Dawn featuring Tony Orlando.
I researched and found that there were different versions of this story and hence cannot confirm if it’s completely true. However this story in itself is a great story of Unconditional Love. Throughout the times, the definition of love has changed drastically. The new definitions have been tied to lot of materialistic things and also to public display of affection. Many understand love to be as what Hollywood or Bollywood portrays it to be. No wonder all those definitions looks good only on screen and it holds no steam in real life. In my earlier post I referred to the greatest need of all times which was unconditional love and total acceptance. In this story we see how the unconditional love of that woman helped her forgive the man who haunted her with his abuses and who also abandoned them to their own fate. It really takes great courage to forgive a person and show total acceptance.This is only possible with unconditional love which is LOVE with no strings attached. The bible talks about the unconditional love of God.He loves us no matter who we are and what we have done.Inspite of all our weaknesses, bad choices and mistakes, he still is willing to accept us back and change us. All that he wants is for us to ask forgiveness and come back to him.
God Bless you
Finally the release day arrived. He was very nervous, thinking of what his wife has decided. He had not received a letter from his wife. He did not know whether his wife received his letter or even if she did receive and read the letter, if she has forgiven him?
He took a bus to Miami, Florida, which passed through his town, White Oak. He was very nervous and he shared his story with the people in the bus. The whole bus heard his story, and they asked the bus driver, "Please, pass through White Oak town and go slowly. We have to see what will happen ..."
His heart pounded as the bus approached the center of White Oak. He did not dare raise his head and he broke into cold sweat profusely. All of a sudden he heard the whole bus cheering for him and he raised his head to see the tree. With tears still clouded in his eyes, he struggled to see and what he saw just amazed him. There was not one piece of ribbon on that tree but there were hundreds of pieces of yellow ribbons hung on that banyan tree ....
The Driver pulled over and phoned the wire services to share the story. It quickly spread throughout the country. Songwriters Irwin Levine and L. Russell Brown wrote the ballad from the news story. "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree" was a massive worldwide hit in 1973 for Dawn featuring Tony Orlando.
I researched and found that there were different versions of this story and hence cannot confirm if it’s completely true. However this story in itself is a great story of Unconditional Love. Throughout the times, the definition of love has changed drastically. The new definitions have been tied to lot of materialistic things and also to public display of affection. Many understand love to be as what Hollywood or Bollywood portrays it to be. No wonder all those definitions looks good only on screen and it holds no steam in real life. In my earlier post I referred to the greatest need of all times which was unconditional love and total acceptance. In this story we see how the unconditional love of that woman helped her forgive the man who haunted her with his abuses and who also abandoned them to their own fate. It really takes great courage to forgive a person and show total acceptance.This is only possible with unconditional love which is LOVE with no strings attached. The bible talks about the unconditional love of God.He loves us no matter who we are and what we have done.Inspite of all our weaknesses, bad choices and mistakes, he still is willing to accept us back and change us. All that he wants is for us to ask forgiveness and come back to him.
God Bless you
RSS Feed
