It is long but a great story---

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From: John Zdziarski
Date: Sun, 17 Sep 2006 19:49:19 -0400

 

----- Original Message -----

From: Helga Barkemeyer

Sent: Saturday, September 16, 2006 2:41 PM

Subject: Something to think about

                  READ THIS!!!! and then reread it. Especially the last
>part...
>
>                   I walked into the grocery store not particularly
>interested in buying groceries. I wasn't hungry. The pain of losing my
>husband of 57 years was still too raw. And this grocery store held so
>many sweet memories.
>
>                   He often came with me and almost every time he'd
>pretend to go off and look for something special. I knew what he was up
>to. I'd always spot him walking down the aisle with the three yellow
>roses in his hands.
>
>                   He knew I loved yellow roses. With a heart filled with
>grief, I only wanted to buy my few items and leave, but even grocery
>shopping was different since he had passed on.
>
>                   Shopping for one took time, a little more thought than
>it had for two.
>
>
>
>                   Standing by the meat, I searched for the perfect small
>steak and remembered how he had loved his steak.
>
>                   Suddenly a woman came beside me. She was blonde, slim
>and lovely in a soft green pantsuit. I watched as she picked up a large
>package of T-bones, dropped them in her basket.. hesitated, and then put
>them back. She turned to go and once again reached for the pack of
>steaks.
>
>                   She saw me watching her and she smiled. "My husband
>loves T-bones, but honestly, at these prices, I don't know."
>
>                   I swallowed the emotion down my throat and met her
>pale blue eyes.
>
>                   "My husband passed away eight days ago," I told her.
>Glancing at the package in her hands, I fought to control the tremble in
>my voice. "Buy him the steaks. And cherish every moment you have
>together."
>
>                   She shook her head and I saw the emotion in her eyes
>as she placed the package in her basket and wheeled away.
>
>                   I turned and pushed my cart across the length of the
>store to the dairy products. There I stood, trying to decide which size
>milk I should buy. A Quart, I finally decided and moved on to the ice
>cream. If nothing else, I could always fix myself an ice cream cone.
>
>                   I placed the ice cream in my cart and looked down the
>aisle toward the front. I saw first the green suit, then recognized the
>pretty lady coming towards me. In her arms she carried a package. On her
>face was the brightest smile I had ever seen. I would swear a soft halo
>encircled her blonde hair as she kept walking toward me, her eyes
>holding mine.
>
>                   As she came closer, I saw what she held and tears
>began misting in my eyes. "These are for you," she said and placed three
>beautiful long stemmed yellow roses in my arms. "When you go through the
>line, they will know these are paid for." She leaned over and placed a
>gentle kiss on my cheek, then smiled again. I wanted to tell her what
>she'd done, what the roses meant, but still unable to speak, I watched
>as she walked away as tears clouded my vision.
>
>                   I looked down at the beautiful roses nestled in the
>green tissue wrapping and found it almost unreal. How did she know?
>Suddenly the answer seemed so clear. I wasn't alone.
>
>                   Oh, you haven't forgotten me, have you? I whispered,
>with tears in my eyes. He was still with me, and she was his angel.
>
>                   Every day be thankful for what you have and who you
>are.
>                   (Please read all of this, it is really nice)
>
>                   This is a simple request. If you appreciate life, send
>this to your friends, including the person that sent it to you.
>
>                   Even though I clutch my blanket and growl when the
>alarm rings. Thank you, Lord, that I can hear. There are many who are
>deaf.
>
>                   Even though I keep my eyes closed against the morning
>light as long as possible. Thank you, Lord , that I can see. Many are
>blind.
>
>                   Even though I huddle in my bed and put off rising.
>Thank you, Lord, that I have the strength to rise. There are many who
>are bedridden.
>
>                   Even though the first hour of my day is hectic, when
>socks are lost, toast is burned, tempers are short, and my children are
>so loud.
>
>                   Thank you, Lord, for my family. There are many who are
>lonely.
>
>                   Even though our breakfast table never looks like the
>picture in magazines and the menu is at times unbalanced.
>
>                   Thank you, Lord, for the food we have. There are many
>who are hungry.
>
>                   Even though the routine of my job often is monotonous.
>Thank you, Lord, for the opportunity to work. There are many who have no
>job.
>
>                   Even though I grumble and bemoan my fate from day to
>day and wish my circumstances were not so modest.
>
>                   Thank you, Lord, for life.
>
>                   Pass this on to the friends you know. It might help a
>bit to make this world a better place to live, right? A friend is
>someone we turn to when our spirits need a lift. A friend is someone to
>treasure.
>
>                   For friendship is a gift. A friend is someone who
>fills our lives with Beauty, Joy and Grace and makes the world we live
>in a better and happier place.
>
>                   YOU ARE MY FRIEND!
>
>                   God bless you and yours.
>
>                   Now send this to every friend you have and don't
>forget me!
>

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