BLUE ROSE
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.
I scurried around the store, gathered up my goodies and headed for the checkout counter, only to be blocked in the narrow isle 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 realise 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 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?”
” How old am I now, Mommy?” he asked his mother as she slowly came over from the next aisle.
” Your 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 to her son. She told me that most people would not even look at him, much less talk to him.
I told her that it was my pleasure and then something I have no idea where it came from, other than by the prompting of the Holy Spirit. I told her 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, then they’ve missed a blessing from God.
She waited 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, 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.”
Recommend0 recommendationsPublished in Senior Chatters
That is so touching beautiful and with such a real message to us all. Th x
Thank you myhurtingback….a true message I think.
i cared for a lot of blue roses in my career, and they are all someone’s son or daughter, and loved just as dearly as the next, in some cases more……..some of the parents carry incredible guilt around, somehow thinking that it is their fault that their child has been born with learning difficulties, and the most heart breaking time is when the parents age and the decision has to be made to let them go into care……..and yes, i have encountered people staring and looking the other way when i have been on holiday or trips out with my residents, but sometimes this is out of ignorance and not knowing what to say…….just talk as normal to the person……not via the the carer…….unless they are deaf, they will hear and understand you, and in most cases ,if only with a beautiful smile.x
I agree wholeheartedly, starlette, we all have the same needs and we all have feelings and emotions…..always look at the person inside.Always try to understand, …and a smile and a kind word can mean so much.
Thank you for reminding us if this.
you are welcome maize thank you…Ann
I had a sister-in law that was a ” Blue Rose” and a more loving person you could not have found…Thank you starlette.
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Tania,this is another lovely, moving story. Thank you again
Mx
a moving and challenging blog.Thank you for sharing.
Thank you Beatrice….you are welcome….
That was a lovely blog,Anne,thank you,(((((HUGS))))),xxxx
Thank you flowersun ((HUGS)) to you xxxx
A wonderful heartwarming blog ann – thank you for sharing xox
Thank you foreveryoung xoxox
I have a daughter -in law who have looked after Blue Roes for many years ,and my granddaughter is going the same route ,I think its wonderful ,they have a lot of heart ,and I am proud of them .
You have something to be proud about janey1 thank you….Ann
Lovely post, and so true. I teach “Blue Roses” how to do Middle Eastern Dancing and they love every minute of the fun and the music. Can’t get them OFF the stage sometimes…lol… such a joy to be around them – most of them have been with me for over ten years, and are my inspiration…. xxxx
Oh, Lina, how good are you? I agree they are such joyful people….Thank you. xxxx
Aren’t we all a dandelion in gods garden?
A wonderful story that will stay in my mind forever. Thanks’s a lot. Michael
Aren’t we all a dandelion in gods garden?
A wonderful story that will stay in my mind forever. Thank’s a lot. Michael
Yes, Michael we are all Dandelions in God’s garden… I am pleased that you liked the story..Thank you…Ann