Monday January 9

Quick stop at folks this am. Howard takes breakfast to Anabel in her bedroom. After school I went to the rec center and signed up us for a challenge. Then to the folks and Denny and I got supper for them. At school I got this e-mail from a para professional aid in our resource room. Maybe my moments at school are to be filled with the blue flowers in God's garden. May I not be too busy, I don't want to miss a blessing from God.

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 milk. 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 Mommy," 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, Denny; now be a good boy and let the man pass by."
I acknowledged her and continue to talk with Denny for several more minutes about summer, bicycles, and school. I watched his brown eye 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 had been my pleasure. Then I said something that I have no idea where it came from, other than by the prompting of the Holy Spirit. "There are plenty of red, yellow and pink roses in God's Garden," I said. "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 the 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 and squeezed my hand, saying, "God bless you!"
Now 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. And Denny could be your child, grandchild, niece or nephew.

What a difference a moment can mean to that person and their family.

~ From an old dandelion!