***
I walked into the grocery store not particularly
interested in buying groceries. I wasn't hungry.. The pain of losing my husband
of 57 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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