Throughout history and in nearly ever society the first-born son in a family was considered the blessed one. He was placed with extra responsibility as well as gaining the family treasures as a man. It's almost non-existent in our current society. At least to the point of being noticeable anyhow. It's just my opinion, but it seems like whichever child is the most charming, the most fun, or the one that gains the most favor of the mother tends to be the blessed one. Right or wrong, I take no sides. I have enough trouble figuring my own family out than to be analyzing anyone else's.
I remember learning about a society in a faraway land. I don't think it was the country of Greece, but I have envisioned the people to be similar. In the past Greece is sort of known for some deep thinkers, inventors, philosophers and teachers. The only person I have ever met from Greece stayed at my house for 30 days and like most of my family and other people that met him, I wanted to kill him by the time he left. Apparently, Europeans think they are all superior in intellect to us 'muricans that only breath in and out through our mouths. People from Greece believe that too, but they also think they invented everything. Seriously, EVERYTHING! Ben Franklin, Alexander Graham Bell, Thomas Edison, Jack Kirby and Ajay Bhatt apparently all stole their ideas for their inventions from lessor know Greek scientists. What are the odds?
Another funny thing he told me that he honestly believes is that there is a yearly military special-forces tournament held in Greece (shocker). Teams from all over the world come to showcase their special deadly skills. Wouldn't you know it, Greece comes in first place every year! Lithuania and France are always in the top five. The USA? Nope, they rarely place in the top ten. That's the point I decided not to believe another word that came out of his olive-oil drinking, baklava eating mouth. I could rant for hours about Mr. Greece, but I'll save it for later.
The society of people I was previously referring to believe strongly in traditions. That's usually a good thing unless the traditions are sacrificing virgins to volcanoes, stoning women for as little as being accused of something with or without proof, throwing a child off the boat to learn how to swim or many other ill-advised acts that were somehow thought to be the right thing to do by whatever genius was in charge at the time.
One tradition that held through the ages in that land was when the old became too weak, too frail or otherwise a burden to the family the oldest son would construct a box big enough for the aging father to sit or lie down. They would put several personal items of the father in the box along with dear ol' dad. The son would then tie a rope on the box and after a few goodbyes with the rest of the family, he would begin to pull the box on a long trek upwards into the hills. Not an easy task to be sure.
Once they arrived at the top of their favorite hill, the son would give his father a customary kiss on the cheek. He would then turn and leave, never looking back. The old man would stay and rest peacefully until he expired. Something like that seems unimaginable to us, but there's stranger things on Earth, I can assure you.
The story I heard about what happened once during this traditional send-off should make all of us think a little harder about how we treat our old.
As the son turned to leave, the father spoke up. "Son, please come back. I have a favor to ask"
The son returned to his father's side and asked what he must do. The Father said, "Son, remove me from this box and set me beside that rock behind us."
"But father, why?" said the good son, "It's not our way"
"I want you to leave and take this box back with you" The father answered.
"Why must I do such a thing, father?" He objected.
The old man replied, "Because your son will need it to bring you up here one day"
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