Stop and Smell the Blue Roses--Heartwarming story

[Guest guest]

Having four visiting family members, the 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 that 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.

" People will forget what you said, People will forget what you did, but

people will never forget how you made them feel. "

[Guest guest]

-

First off.........super touching story! Your last quote says it all!!

Secondly......you are a wonderful story teller!!

Thanks for sharing!!

-

Sent on the Sprint® Now Network from my BlackBerry®

Stop and Smell the Blue Roses--Heartwarming story

Having four visiting family members, the 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 that 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.

" People will forget what you said, People will forget what you did, but

people will never forget how you made them feel. "