Blue Rose

Why do I always have to be the one that starts to do laundry and
there's no detergent? I guess it was time for me to do my 'Dollar
Store' run, which included light bulbs, paper towels, trash bags and
Clorox. So off I go. 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 that 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 Hal.' 'Hal like Halloween?' 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
'daffodil or maybe even a dandelion,' but I sure love living in God's
garden.
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Please the next time you see a BLUE ROSE don't turn your head and walk
off - take the time to smile and say Hello. Because by the grace of GOD
this mother could be you. This could be your child, grandchild, niece,
nephew. What a difference a moment can mean to that person or their
family.
From just a daffodil.
~ ~ ~ Live today to the fullest because tomorrow is not promised ~