Having four
visiting family members, my 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, 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.
Unknown
Author