BE HAPPY WITH WHAT YOU HAVE!

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 t ell 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)

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 cir****tances were not so modest. Thank you, Lord, for life.

Vickie
Have seen this before many times BUT EACH time it makes me thank the lord as we could be like that lady or worse.
We have so many blessings and so often forget to thank GOD for them each day.
I WILL NOT GRUMBLE TODAY about anything and count each one ...I know you will too
Hugs and blessing
Shirley

Hey Shirley, I really got a wake-up call one day at my Knee Doctor's apt. I had staph in my first knee re-placement that like to have took my leg. I was so depressed for along time,because I had to wear a Wound Vac for six months. Then one day at the docs I was in the waiting area and this young girl wheeled herself in and who did she sit by ?? Me As she told her story of infection and how she lost both her legs I just wept ed. Here I was so depressed and sad.about myself. No matter where you are or how you are , If you would just open your eyes you will see that things aren't really that Bad. I be live God sent her to shake me and stand me back up. When you think things are bad, they could be alot worse !! Love Ya Lady

Vickie
Life sure has a way to teaching us lessons .:)  I have learned so many as you seen to have too .. My life fits together like a puzzle when I look at it. Events, things that happen that lead to this or that.  It isnt a PERHAPS , is it God working to pull me together I firmly believe.  HE gives us little reminders along the way of WHAT COULD BE.... So glad you recovered but the main thing is that you also learned a valuable lesson in life ,,, IT COULD BE WORSE...  I too learned that many many times and as i say all the time , I am a work in progress ,,,Each day is a challenge and some days I am plain challenged :)
Have a wonderful day
Hugs
Shirley

Vickie, My husband was on life support for 19 years. Some years he would be in the University hospital as many as 10 times, each time 10-15 days. He hated being away from home. He had started working when he was 6 years old(sold newspapers on streetcorners and doughnuts to businesses)When he couldn't work anymore (age 27) it nearly killed him. Then to be totally dependent on machines to breath for him nearly drove him crazy. Then when he thought he couldn't take anymore God blessed him by putting him in the hospital one more time. He was room mates with a young man who dove into a swimming hole and hit bottom and broke his neck, The man was paralized from the neck down. Sam came home with a new appreciation of his life. He said there was a lot of things he could no longer do but when his nose itched he could raise his hand and scratch it. We can ***** and moan about our lot in life but one thing is for sure there is somebody out there who has it worse than we do. If we open our eyes and look around we'll find them. I try to count my many blessing and appreciate what I do have and not worry about what I don't have. If I don't have it it's because I don't need it. God supplies my every need. Ain't God good. Love, Miss Mary

Thanks so much for sharing Vickie..This is a Awesome reminder..I am so BLESSED and will work hard everyday not to take life for granted. Have a Wonderful BLESSED day my friend!!
Love ya,
Michele

Good morning Vickie. Your post touched my heart and soul. Thank you for sharing. 

I'm not from Alabama, but come here often. Randall has touched so many of us from other states with his daily inspirational coffee talk. SO here I am too!

I'm going to print out your message and keep it safe. It is precious to me and reminds me that I am so blessed.

Hugs,
Lucy

Oh Vickie. I'm so sorry and now feel stupid!

I'll go back and edit my message.

But, again, thanks for your post.

Lucy

Beautiful Vickie...I have read this before too, but I love it.  John and I have been together for a few years and I'll tell ya, each year gets more dear.  I do try to cherish the moments I have with him.  I don't even want to think about life without him.  Love you!!!