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. (Please
read all of this, it is really nice)
This is a simple request. If you
appreciate life, send this to your friends, including the person that sent it to
you.
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.
Pass this on to the friends you know. It might help a bit to make
this world a better place to live, right? A friend is someone we turn to when
our spirits need a lift. A friend is someone to treasure.
For friendship
is a gift. A friend is someone who fills our lives with Beauty, Joy and Grace
and makes the world we live in a better and happier place.
YOU ARE MY
FRIEND!
God bless you and yours.
