The parents of three grown children would divide their Christmases among their children’s families. But with the difficulties involved in holiday preparation and extensive travel, sometimes they were tempted to throw up their hands and say, “It’s too much! It’s just not worth the effort.” Whenever either of the parents got that feeling of exasperation, they would give the other a wink and say, “Long walk, dear, long walk,” and they would laugh and get back to work.”
“Long walk” was one of their code signals. They began using it years ago earlier after reading a story about an African boy who gave his missionary teacher an exquisite seashell as a Christmas gift. The lad had walked miles for it, to a special bay, the only place where such shells were found. “How wonderful of you to have traveled so far for this present,” said the teacher. The boy’s eyes shone as he replied, “Long walk part of gift.”
—Guideposts (adapted).
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