Billy Graham

Billy Graham is now 86 years old with Parkinson's disease. In January 2000, leaders in Charlotte , North Carolina, invited their favorite son, Billy Graham, to a luncheon in his honor. Billy initially hesitated to accept the invitation because he struggleswith Parkinson's disease. But the Charlotte leaders said, "We don't expecta major address. Just come and let us honor you." So he agreed.After wonderful things were said about him, Dr. Graham stepped to therostrum, looked at the crowd, and said, "I'm reminded today of AlbertEinstein, the great physicist who this month has been honored by Time magazine as the Man of the Century. Einstein was once traveling fromPrinceton on a train when the conductor came down the aisle, punching thetickets of every passenger. When he came to Einstein, Einstein reached inhis vest pocket. He couldn't find his ticket, so he reached in his trouserpockets. It wasn't there, so he looked in his briefcase but couldn't findit. Then he looked in the seat beside him. He still couldn't find it. The conductor said, "Dr. Einstein, I know who you are. We all know who you are. I'm sure you bought a ticket. Don't worry about it." Einstein nodded appreciatively. The conductor continued down the aisle punchingtickets. As he was ready to move to the next car, he turned around and sawthe great physicist down on his hands and knees looking under his seat forhis ticket. The conductor rushed back and said, "Dr. Einstein, Dr. Einstein, don'tworry, I know who you are. No problem. You don't need a ticket. I'm sure you bought one."Einstein looked at him and said, "Young man, I too, know who I am. What Idon't know is where I'm going. '"Having said that Billy Graham continued, "See the suit I'm wearing? It's abrand new suit. My wife, my children, and my grandchildren are telling meI've gotten a little slovenly in my old age. I used to be a bit more fastidious. So I went out and bought a new suit for this luncheon and one more occasion.You know what that occasion is? This is the suit in which I'll be buried. But when you hear I'm dead, I don't want you to immediately remember the suit I'm wearing. I want you to remember this: I not only know who I am .I also know where I'm going.
"May your troubles be less, your blessings more, and may nothing but happiness, come through your door.