It's undeniable what a hard life Eddie Livingston had: 30 years of living in squalor, without electricity or running water, despite being an American hero, a seven-time Purple Heart winner, and a former P.O.W. in a brutal German camp. We've been reading about his life lately in the "An American Veteran" series, linked here. And we're so grateful to Eddie's niece, Pam Baker, for sharing Eddie's writings with a larger audience. He lives on in what he wrote so plainly from his large and broken heart. And yet there is real wisdom, too, and surprisingly -- though not surprisingly for veterans, who sometimes truly brim over with it -- there is true compassion for others, and sage thinking about how we can interact together in the world, for the benefit of all.
In lines that could have come straight from Max Ehrmann's 1952 masterpiece, "Desiderata," reminiscent of sayings like "You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here," we find simple, plain yet profound truths in what Eddie wrote. And deep love for his fellow human being, despite all he personally had been through:
"The strong help the weak, the rich help the poor, the well help the sick, the intelligent help the ignorant, the good help the bad, the fortunate help the unfortunate.
Our nation is rich and strong, therefore we have a great responsibility to help those less blessed than ourselves.
It is not necessary that those people thank us or even appreciate our help. Let our reward be the good satisfaction that comes from helping others.
We cannot limit ourselves to helping those who we deem deserving of our help. We would run into controversy trying to decide who deserves our help, but all of us can see and define need.
A young enemy girl gave her life to save mine in POW Stalag. She did not even know my name, she only knew I needed help.
The only happiness I have ever known is the satisfaction that comes from helping another human being." -- Eddie Livingston, 1966.
