Guest guest Posted July 29, 2003 Report Share Posted July 29, 2003 This is so awesome I just had to share. Love, On a clear day during the waning years of the depression in a small Idaho community, I used to stop by Mr. 's roadside stand for farm fresh produce as the season made it available. Food and money were still extremely scarce and bartering was used extensively. One day Mr. was bagging some early potatoes for me. I noticed a small boy, delicate of bone and feature, ragged but clean, hungrily appraising a basket of freshly picked green peas. I paid for my potatoes but was also drawn to the display of fresh green peas. I am a pushover for creamed peas and new potatoes. Pondering the peas, I couldn't help overhearing the conversation between Mr. and the ragged boy next to me. " Hello Barry, how are you today? " " H'lo, Mr. . Fine, thank ya. Jus' admirin' them peas .... sure look good. " " They are goo! d, Barry. How's your Ma? " " Fine. Gittin' stronger alla' time. " " Good. Anything I can help you with? " " No, Sir. Jus' admirin' them peas. " " Would you like to take some home? " " No, Sir. Got nuthin' to pay for 'em with. " " Well, what have you to trade me for some of those peas? " " All I got's my prize marble here. " " Is that right? Let me see it. " " Here 'tis. She's a dandy. " " I can see that. Hmmmmm, only thing is this one is blue and I sort of go for red. Do you have a red one like this at home? " " Not zackley ... but almost. " " Tell you what. Take this sack of peas home with you and next trip this way let me look at that red marble. " " Sure will. Thanks Mr. . " Mrs. , who had been standing nearby, came over to help me. With a smile she said, " There are two other boys like him in our community, all three are in very poor circumstances. Jim just loves to bargainwith them for peas, apples, tomatoes, or whatever. When they come back with their red marbles, and they always do, he decides he doesn't like red after all and he sends them home with a bag of produce for a green marble or an orange one, perhaps. " I left the stand smiling to myself, impressed with this man. A short time later I moved to Colorado but I never forgot the story of this man, the boys, and their bartering. Several years went by, each more rapid that the previous one. Just recently I had occasion to visit some old friends in that Idaho community and while I was there learned that Mr. had died. They were having his viewing that evening and knowing my friends wanted to go, I agreed to accompany them. Upon arrival at the mortuary we fell into line to meet the relatives of the deceased and to offer whatever words of comfort we could. Ahead of us in line were three young men. One was in an army uni! form and the other two wore nice haircuts, dark suits and white shirts ... all very professional looking. walked slowly up to Mrs. who was standing next to her husband's casket. Each of the young men hugged her, kissed her on the cheek, spoke briefly with her and moved on to the casket. Her misty light blue eyes followed them as, one by one, each young man stopped briefly and placed his own warm hand over the cold pale hand in the casket. Each left the mortuary awkwardly, wiping his eyes. Our turn came to meet Mrs. . I told her who I was and mentioned the story she had told me about the marbles. With her eyes glistening, she took my hand and led me to the casket. " Those three young men who just left were the boys I told you about. They just told me how they appreciated the things Jim " traded " them. Now, at last, when Jim could not change his mind about color or size ... they came to pay their debt. " " We've never had a great deal of the wealth of this world, " she confided, " but right now, Jim would consider himself the richest man in Idaho. " With loving gentleness she lifted the lifeless fingers of her deceased husband. Resting underneath were three exquisitely shined red marbles. Moral: We will not be remembered by our words, but by our kind deeds. Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath. Today ... I wish you a day of ordinary miracles ... .......... A fresh pot of coffee you didn't make yourself ........ An unexpected phone call from an old friend .......... Green stoplights on your way to work ..........The fastest line at the grocery store .......... A good sing-along song on the radio ..........Your keys right where you left them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 29, 2003 Report Share Posted July 29, 2003 That is awesome, ! Smiles, Darlene Subject: Fw: True Friendship > > This is so awesome I just had to share. > Love, > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 15, 2008 Report Share Posted July 15, 2008 If Ever You Need Me If ever you need me I will always be there If ever you need a friend I want you to know I care If ever you need to cry I promise to cry with you If ever you need someone My heart will shine for you If ever you cannot see the sun Only clouds up in the sky I will hold your hand I will help you see life in God's eyes If ever you think No one is there You have Jesus love He will carry your despair If ever you wonder where God is I will help you find the way All things are done for a reason I will help you pray. Remember, you are like a sister I understand your grief When someone you love Needs much relief If ever you need me I will be by your side Jesus never forgets you For He also cries You have always Been there for me Now it is my turn, To help you see butterflies are free Do not feel unhappy Or lost inside your heart Remember Jesus loves you I can feel His arms He is with you forever He will leave you never If you need me, I will know Whatever happens let your fear go If you ever need me I am always here I will pray for you always Because you are so dear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 16, 2008 Report Share Posted July 16, 2008 THIS POEM IS DEDICATED TO MY BESSSSSSSSSSSSSST FRIEND! HOPE HE " LL READ IT! > > If Ever You Need Me > > If ever you need me > I will always be there > > If ever you need a friend > I want you to know I care > > If ever you need to cry > I promise to cry with you > > If ever you need someone > My heart will shine for you > > If ever you cannot see the sun > Only clouds up in the sky > I will hold your hand > I will help you see life in God's eyes > > If ever you think > No one is there > You have Jesus love > He will carry your despair > > If ever you wonder where God is > I will help you find the way > All things are done for a reason > I will help you pray. > > Remember, you are like a sister > I understand your grief > When someone you love > Needs much relief > > If ever you need me > I will be by your side > > Jesus never forgets you > For He also cries > > You have always > Been there for me > Now it is my turn, > To help you see butterflies are free > > Do not feel unhappy > Or lost inside your heart > Remember Jesus loves you > I can feel His arms > He is with you forever > He will leave you never > > If you need me, I will know > Whatever happens let your fear go > > If you ever need me > I am always here > I will pray for you always > Because you are so dear. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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