My pal Erika Shared this lovely writing with me. It was on a day that I really needed the revelation of a silver lining. (Ever had those moments when you realize you've been waiting for REAL life, only to have to acknowledge 'this IS my life' ?? It was THAT kind of a day.)
It's too good not to share...so I will!
A Blue Rose
Having four visiting
family members, my wife was very busy, so I offered to go to the store
for her to get some needed items, which included light bulbs, paper
towels, trash bags, detergent and Clorox. So off I went.
I
scurried around the store, gathered up my goodies and headed for the
checkout counter, only to be blocked in the narrow aisle by a young man
who appeared to be about sixteen-years-old.
I wasn't in a hurry, so I patiently waited for the boy to realize that I
was there. This was when he waved his hands excitedly in the air and
declared in a loud voice, "Mommy, I'm over here."
It was
obvious now, he was mentally challenged and also startled as he turned
and saw me standing so close to him, waiting to squeeze by. His eyes
widened and surprise exploded on his face as I said, "Hey Buddy, what's
your name?"
"My name is Denny and I'm shopping with my mother," he responded proudly.
"Wow," I said, "that's a cool name; I wish my name was Denny, but my name is Steve."
"Steve, like Stevarino?" he asked. "Yes," I answered. "How old are you Denny?"
"How old am I now, Mommy?" he asked his mother as she slowly came over from the next aisle.
"You're fifteen-years-old Denny; now be a good boy and let the man pass by."
I acknowledged her and continued to talk to Denny for several more
minutes about summer, bicycles and school. I watched his brown eyes
dance with excitement, because he was the center of someone's attention.
He then abruptly turned and headed toward the toy section.
Denny's mom had a puzzled look on her face and thanked me for taking the
time to talk with her son. She told me that most people wouldn't even
look at him, much less talk to him.
I told her that it was my
pleasure and then I said something I have no idea where it came from,
other than by the prompting of the Holy Spirit. I told her that there
are plenty of red, yellow, and pink roses in God's Garden; however,
"Blue Roses" are very rare and should be appreciated for their beauty
and distinctiveness. You see, Denny is a Blue Rose and if someone
doesn't stop and smell that rose with their heart and touch that rose
with their kindness, then they've missed a blessing from God.
She was silent for a second, then with a tear in her eye she asked, "Who are you?"
Without thinking I said, "Oh, I'm probably just a dandelion, but I sure love living in God's garden."
She reached out, squeezed my hand and said, "God bless you!" and then I had tears in my eyes.
May I suggest, the next time you see a BLUE ROSE, don't turn your head
and walk off. Take the time to smile and say Hello. Why? Because, by the
grace of GOD, this mother or father could be you. This could be your
child, grandchild, niece or nephew. What a difference a moment can mean
to that person or their family.
From an old dandelion! Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.
"People will forget what you said, People will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel!" ANON.
