Having five 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 sponges. 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.
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!" NAMASTE!-
ANON.??¬