This is a story my uncle sent me, I don't know if it true or not.
If it's not, you should make it become true.
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. 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."
