Pain of Losing
Pain & Comfort
I walked into the grocery store not particularly interested in buying
groceries. I wasn't hungry. The pain of losing my husband of 37 years was
still too raw. And this grocery store held so many sweet memories. Rudy
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. Rudy 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 Rudy 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 Rudy had loved his steak. Suddenly a woman came beside me. She was
blond, slim and lovely in a soft green pantsuit. I watched as she picked up
a large pack 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 section near the front of the store. 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 blond 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, Rudy, you haven't forgotten me, have you? I whispered, with tears in my
eyes. He was still with me, and she was his angel.
Everyday be thankful for
what you have and who you are.
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 and tempers are
short, 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
pictures 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?
PASS IT ON....
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 AND I AM HONORED!
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Email: al_sperry@yahoo.com
