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Author unknown:
Having four visiting family members, the 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 that the next time you see a BLUE ROSE, don't turn your head and
walk off. Take the time to smile and say Hello. What a difference a moment can mean to that person or their
family.
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."
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Located
off of Cedar Road in Great Bridge.