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I walked into the grocery store not particularly
interested in buying groceries. I wasn't hungry.
The pain of losing my husband of 7 years was
still too raw. And this grocery store held so
many sweet memories.
He often came with me and almost every time he'd
pretend to go off and look for something
special. I knew what he was up to. I'd always
spot him walking down the aisle with the three
yellow roses in his hands.
He knew I loved yellow roses. With a heart
filled with grief, I only wanted to buy my few
items and leave, but even grocery shopping was
different since he had passed on.
Shopping for one took time, a little more
thought than it had for two.
Standing by the meat, I searched for the perfect
small steak and remembered how he had loved his
steak.
Suddenly a woman came beside me. She was blonde,
slim and lovely in a soft green pantsuit.
I
watched as she picked up a large package of
t-bones, dropped them in her basket, hesitated,
and then put them back. She turned to go and
once again reached for the pack of steaks.
She saw me watching her and she smiled. "My
husband loves t-bones, but honestly, at these
prices, I don't know."
I swallowed the emotion down my throat and met
her pale blue eyes.
"My husband passed away eight days ago," I told
her. Glancing at the package in her hands, I
fought to control the tremble in my voice. "Buy
him the steaks... and cherish every moment you
have together."
She shook her head and I saw the emotion in her
eyes as she placed the package in her basket and
wheeled away.
I turned and pushed my cart across the length of
the store to the dairy products. There I stood,
trying to decide which size milk I should buy.
A
quart, I finally decided, and moved on to the
ice cream. If nothing else, I could always fix
myself an ice cream cone.
I placed the ice cream in my cart and looked
down the aisle toward the front. I saw first the
green suit, then recognized the pretty lady
coming towards me.
In
her arms she carried a package. On her face was
the brightest smile I had ever seen. I would
swear a soft halo encircled her blonde hair as
she kept walking toward me, her eyes holding
mine.
As she came closer, I saw what she held and
tears began misting in my eyes. "These are for
you," she said and placed three beautiful long
stemmed yellow roses in my arms.
"When
you go through the line, they will know these
are paid for." She leaned over and placed a
gentle kiss on my cheek, then smiled again. I
wanted to tell her what she'd done, what the
roses meant, but still unable to speak, I
watched as she walked away as tears clouded my
vision.
I looked down at the beautiful roses nestled in
the green tissue wrapping and found it almost
unreal. How did she know? Suddenly the answer
seemed so clear. I wasn't alone.
Oh, you haven't forgotten me, have you? I
whispered, with tears in my eyes. He was still
with me, and she was his angel...
Every day be thankful for what you have and who
you are.
Even though I clutch my blanket and growl when
the alarm rings, thank you Lord that I can hear.
There are many who are deaf.
Even though I keep my eyes closed against the
morning light as long as possible, thank you
Lord that I can see. Many are blind.
Even though I huddle in my bed and put off
rising, thank you Lord that I have the strength
to rise. There are many who are bedridden.
Even though the first hour of my day is hectic,
when socks are lost, toast is burned, tempers
are short, and my children are so loud, thank
you Lord for my family. There are many who are
lonely.
Even though our breakfast table never looks like
the picture in magazines and the menu is at
times unbalanced, thank you Lord for the food we
have. There are many who are hungry.
Even though the routine of my job often is
monotonous, thank you Lord for the opportunity
to work. There are many who have no job.
Even though I grumble and bemoan my fate from
day to day and wish my circumstances were not so
modest, thank you Lord for life...
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