[CS-FSLUG] OT: A Blue Rose

[Fred A. Miller]

*A Blue Rose
*

*
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 centre 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, whichever differences 
that person may have, 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, 
nephew or any other family member. 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 !"_ */

-- 
"Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who
approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but
downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are ruined.
The great object is that every man be armed. Everyone who is able
might have a gun." - Patrick Henry

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