Two brothers would see an old man sitting by the sea every day on the same chair. One day, they were bothered when they found the chair empty and decided to find out why.
Adam, 8, and Peter, 10, visited the seaside with their mom Alice every day. They would walk together along the shore, enjoying the sea breeze.
Every single day, they would come across an old man who would sit motionlessly on a chair, watching the waves. “Mom, is that man okay?” Adam asked one day.
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“He is, sweetheart. He just likes to be alone. People have tried to talk to him, but he always just tries to avoid people. Let’s not bother him,” Alice replied.
The brothers couldn’t help but feel drawn towards the old man. They were curious as to why he would sit motionlessly on the same chair every day.
One day, they thought of a plan to approach him. While playing catch, they threw the frisbee in his direction so that they could come closer. When they ran up and apologized, the old man said, “You threw it here on purpose. I know you did… You,” he said, pointing at Adam, “you are great at throwing. And you,” the old man smiled, pointing at Peter, “are great at catching. So I know this was not an accident.”
The brothers’ eyes widened in shock. They didn’t know that the old man had been observing them, too.
For some reason, despite Alice knowing that the man didn’t talk to other people, he indulged the two boys in a long conversation. After they introduced one another, Peter finally asked the question they’ve been longing to ask: “Sir, why do you sit out here every day and watch the sea?”
“Well, I am here waiting for my brother. I have been waiting here for 10 years,” he responded. Adam and Peter looked at each other, confused.
“We were in the army together and were separated and sent to different countries. This happened a long time ago. When we last saw each other, we promised to meet at the same place, right here, where we constantly used to walk with our mother,” the old man explained.
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“You wait for your brother every day?” Adam asked. “How do you know he’s still coming?” he asked. The old man smiled at Adam’s innocence.
“That’s the thing. I don’t know if he’s coming. I used to come, years ago, but my work transferred me to another city. Now, for the past 10 years of living here, I’ve been coming daily. They gave me his army dog tag, but they never found him. He is still missing,” he said, taking his brother’s dog tag out of his pocket.
Adam and Peter were sitting beside each other at that moment. The old man patted their heads and said, “That’s why you must take care of each other, boys. Brotherly love is the greatest strength in the world.”
After sharing his story, the old man introduced himself as Walter. The boys enjoyed his company that ever since that day, they would make it a point to spend time with him, bringing sandwiches and drinks. They would spend the afternoons talking and listening to each other’s stories.
One day, Walter and the brothers were surprised to see each other walking in the same direction while on the way home. “We live near each other!” Peter exclaimed. Walter couldn’t help but smile.
“I guess we do, sweet boy,” Walter said, waving before he entered his house.
The two boys felt extremely close to Walter already, after days of talking to him. They were so moved by Walter’s story that they decided to use social media to spread it, hoping to find his brother.
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One day, they went to the beach to find him and tell him about what they did. But when they got there, he was not at his usual spot. “He comes here every day! Every single day! Why isn’t he here?” Adam asked his mom.
“This can’t be. Something must have happened to him. We need to go to his house,” Peter said. At that, Alice allowed them to check Walter’s house by accompanying them there.
When they got there, they knocked. After a couple of seconds, Walter opened the door. The boys exhaled with relief. “Walter! Why didn’t you come to the beach today? Have you given up?” Adam asked him. Walter was smiling. Behind him stood a man who looked exactly like him.
The two boys were taken by surprise when the man suddenly shouted, “IT’S THEM! THOSE TWO BOYS POSTED ON THE INTERNET! I RECOGNIZED THEM RIGHT AWAY!”
Walter’s brother, James, found him thanks to the publication that Adam and Peter had put up. Walter smiled and hugged the two boys. “Thank you for finding my brother after forty-four long years,” he said, giving them both hugs.
It turns out that James was injured at the battle he was in, and he ended up losing his memory. He was sent back to the US, where he was diagnosed with dissociative amnesia caused by the overwhelming stress brought about by the war.
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“I was told I would likely regain my memory either slowly, or all at once. In the past few decades, I slowly started to remember things like my first name, the fact that I lived in California, but nothing conclusive enough to bring back my old life,” James explained.
“Then one day, I was looking through the internet when I saw a post by these two sweet boys. It had a photo of you, Walter, and I suddenly remembered you and our brotherhood. I just knew we were brothers. I made my way to the address they posted right away,” he added.
At that, Walter and James took out their army dog tags from their pockets and handed one each to Adam and Peter. “We no longer need this. Because of you, we’ve found each other again. These are yours now. May it be a reminder to always take care of each other,” Walter said.
As they lived near each other, Adam and Peter would always visit Walter and James, who ended up moving in with his brother.
What can we learn from this story?
- Keeping the faith can be rewarding. Every day, Walter hoped that his brother would show up. One day, after choosing to share his story with Adam and Peter, his brother eventually showed up.
- The most unexpected relationships can mean the most. Adam and Peter never thought they’d get close to Walter, but when they did, and it brought about life-changing memories for everyone.
Share this story with your loved ones. It might inspire them and make their day.
Robert Downey Jr. — From Prison to the Oscars — and There’s Only One Person He Should Be Thankful To
Robert Downey Jr.’s life is like a rollercoaster ride from Hollywood rebel to everyone’s favorite superhero. Despite his struggles with bad habits and the law, he bounced back with his iconic role as Iron Man. His story is all about second chances and showing that no matter how far you fall, you can always get back up, and his latest Oscar win proves it all.
Downey spent very troubled years back in the 90s.
© Bill Waterson / Alamy Stock Photo
Though it may seem like we’re discussing a character from an alternate reality, Downey experienced a tumultuous period between 1996 and 2001. His legal troubles began in 1996, and during this time, his first wife, Deborah Falconer, parted ways with him. In 1999, he found himself in court attire, appealing to a California judge for rehabilitation over imprisonment. Robert Downey Jr. — known as RDJ to his close circle — faced a three-year prison sentence amidst his ongoing struggle with personal challenges.
This episode was just one of many defining moments in the remarkable journey of Robert Downey Jr., known as Tony Stark, Iron Man, and Inmate No. P50522. Downey rose to fame in the 1980s with hits like Weird Science and The Pickup Artist,and had a high-profile relationship with Sarah Jessica Parker. However, after receiving an Oscar nomination for Chaplin in 1993, his career went downward. «Not a lot of people stood by his side,» remarked a source familiar with the situation. During this difficult period, he had only a «very small» support group, including his childhood friend Rob Lowe, who continued to believe in him.
AFP/EAST NEWS
Well, not too long ago, Robert Downey Jr. faced significant challenges that rendered him virtually unemployable. However, in 2001, his latest legal issue resulted in probation, prompting him to seek rehabilitation.
Despite his turbulent past, one thing emerged as a beacon of hope: love. In 2003, Downey encountered a transformative force that helped lift him from rock bottom and set him on a path to redemption.
Love saved him.
After spending some time in jail and completing court-ordered rehab for his well-publicized bad habits, Robert faced the risk of losing his movie career. However, a pivotal role in the 2003 thriller Gothika, where he agreed to receive most of his payment after filming, marked a turning point in his life. When Susan Levin first crossed paths with Robert on the set, she wasn’t initially smitten. However, the Hollywood producer soon found herself drawn to him.
Yet her affection came with a firm condition: Robert had to choose between his personal battles and their relationship. This ultimatum proved effective, as they tied the knot in 2005 and remain together to this day. Despite the challenges, Robert and Susan have enjoyed 17 years of marital happiness, standing as one of Hollywood’s most admired couples.
Even during his Oscar speech, Robert Downey Jr. couldn’t help but express gratitude to his wife, offering a heartfelt tribute. Known for his humor, Downey Jr. kicked off his speech with jokes, quipping that he’d like to thank his «terrible childhood» and the Academy, in that particular sequence.
Amidst the laughter, he playfully acknowledged his wife, Susan Downey, thanking her with a humorous twist. «Thank my veterinarian — I meant wife — Susan Downey over there,» he jestingly remarked. Reflecting on their relationship, he credited her for rescuing him like a snarling pet and nurturing him back to life. In his eyes, her love and support were the reasons for his presence on that prestigious stage.
Downey Jr. has undeniably become the iconic Iron Man for everyone.
ROBYN BECK/AFP/East News
In 2008, Robert Downey Jr.’s career took a meteoric rise with his starring role in the summer blockbuster Iron Man. This marked the beginning of his resurgence in Hollywood. Alongside Iron Man, Downey also shined in the acclaimed comedy Tropic Thunder, earning his second Oscar nomination for his role.
However, his portrayal of Tony Stark in Iron Man and subsequent appearances in Marvel films, including The Avengers, established him as a pivotal figure in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Downey’s involvement in the Marvel universe, including reprising his role in subsequent Iron Man movies, solidified his status as a critical player for Marvel Studios. Additionally, his performances in other projects, such as the Sherlock Holmes franchise, showcased his talent and range as an actor.
Once viewed as «someone bad» due to personal struggles, Downey has since transformed his career trajectory. Now in recovery after over 15 years, studios and directors actively seek him out for his undeniable talent and professionalism. His ability to shine again has not only fueled his personal growth but has also contributed to the ongoing success of his career.
He won his first Oscar as «Best supporting actor».
ROBYN BECK/AFP/East News
Robert Downey Jr. has secured the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal in Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer. His victory sheds light on the complexities of the Academy’s supporting categories, and Downey’s performance is undeniably stellar, showcasing his trademark nervy and twitchy charisma.
This triumph caps off a remarkable awards season for the star, adding to his victories at the Golden Globes, Critic’s Choice Awards, SAG Awards, and BAFTA Film Awards.
During his acceptance speech, Downey expressed gratitude to his collaborators on Oppenheimer, including director Nolan, producer Emma Thomas, and his co-stars and fellow Oscar nominees Cillian Murphy and Emily Blunt. He humbly acknowledged his need for the job and praised the exceptional cast and crew assembled for the film.
Al Seib / Avalon/Photoshot/East News
Reflecting on the significance of their work, Downey emphasized the importance of the stories they choose to tell. He concluded by acknowledging how the experience had transformed him for the better, highlighting the meaningfulness of their profession and the impact of the projects they undertake.
Robert Downey Jr.’s story is truly inspiring—it proves that anyone can turn their life around and shine brightly once again with love and determination. Now, he’s not just focusing on himself; he’s also committed to helping others and making a difference in the world. Like a real superhero, he’s using his influence to do good in the world, both for people and the earth.
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