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<p class="ecxMsoNormal"><strong><span>A Blue Rose <br>
</span></strong></p>
<p class="ecxMsoNormal"><strong><span><br>
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.<br>
<br>
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."<br>
<br>
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?"<br>
<br>
"My name is Denny and I'm shopping with my mother," he
responded proudly.<br>
<br>
"Wow," I said, "that's a cool name; I wish my name was
Denny, but my name is Steve."<br>
<br>
"Steve, like Stevarino?" he asked. "Yes," I answered. "How
old are you Denny?"<br>
<br>
"How old am I now, Mommy?" he asked his mother as she slowly
came over from the next aisle.<br>
<br>
"You're fifteen-years-old Denny; now be a good boy and let
the man pass by."<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
She was silent for a second, then with a tear in her eye she
asked, "Who are you?"<br>
<br>
Without thinking I said, "Oh, I'm probably just a dandelion,
but I sure love living in God's garden."<br>
<br>
She reached out, squeezed my hand and said, "God bless you!"
and then I had tears in my eyes.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
From an old dandelion! Live simply. Love generously. Care
deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.</span><span
style="COLOR: black"></span></strong></p>
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<p style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" class="ecxMsoNormal" align="center"><span
style="COLOR: rgb(63,49,81); FONT-SIZE: 18pt"><br>
</span><i><span style="COLOR: red; FONT-SIZE: 20pt"><strong>"People
will forget what you said, People will forget what you did,
<u>but people will never forget how you made them feel !"</u>
</strong></span></i></p>
<pre class="moz-signature" cols="72">--
"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
</pre>
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