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During the second world war the Japanese built the infamous "Death
Railroad". It started here in Thailand at Ban Pong, and stretched into Burma,
leaving over 100,000 dead bodies strewn along the way. The Japanese subdued
both civilians and prisoners of war into forced labor camps, where they were
beat, tortured, and given insufficient nourishment to complete the heavy work
and long hours demanded of them. The prisoners who survived testified that it
was like being on death row. Those who did
survive said that one thing, more than any other, helped them
to make it, "You had to have a mate." If you were all on your own,
you had no hope. Those who didn't have mates simply did not survive, and
never had a chance to return home. As a matter of survival, men sought out a
small group, or one special person that they could buddy up with. Malaria, cholera, and
dysentery ran rampant in the camps and men frequently got sick. Having a mate to
look after you frequently spelled the difference between life and death.
Perhaps even more
important than the physical support was the moral support, just knowing that
there was someone there who really cared whether or not you lived or died.
The bond between mates was thicker than blood. If he were dying you would save him, and if you were
dying he would save you. If you couldn't work, a mate kept the guards off of
you, helped you change a dressing, got meager meals for you. Mates were so
close and dependent on each other, that losing one was extremely hard, it
was like losing a wife or a close family member. In the
midst of such a gruesome and ugly war, full of the worst cruelty and
torture, and under the worst suffering and affliction, it is a godsend to
know that men could still exhibit such caring and compassion
for each other. Nothing illustrates more how important the human
touch is in our lives. We all need to know that we are important
to someone else, and that other people are important to us. Love
is what this life is all about. I believe that love is even what the
hereafter is all about. In his book, "After", Dr. Bruce Greyson
tells how those who died and then were revived, consistently
felt that the being they came into the presence of was pure
love. Here on my own website, I refer you to two other articles
I have written about the purpose and meaning of life
"What is Life All About?" and
"How to be Happy" |
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