A Blue Rose and Thankful Thursday

Linking up with the adorable Megan @ Blissfully Burton for her Thankful Thursday!
Such a great idea, so hop on over and link-up too!!

I posted this last night, but I thought I would use it as my Thankful Thursday post... Mostly because I have not been able to stop thinking about this story and how incredibly grateful it has made me feel! For that, I am so very thankful.

Tonight, I was fortunate enough to stumble across Kelli's amazing blog, Living Life with E's.

A few days ago, she shared this completely inspirational story called, "A Blue Rose."

A 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 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 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 Denny?"

"How old am I now, Mommy?" he asked his mother as she slowly came over from the next aisle.

"You're 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 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 was my pleasure and then I said something I have no idea where it came from, other than by the prompting of the Holy Spirit. I told her that 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 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 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.

Needless to say, I cried through the entire rest of her post...

This brings me back to my days at Riley, where I was so blessed {and completely humbled} to witness miracle after miracle... Where I realized that Kelli and her family are the type of people that possess the perspective of life that we should all aspire to have... 
These people are my heroes-- for all they have done, and for all they will do.

I know that, one day, my children will grow to realize that there are other children {and adults} out there who are special. God has chosen them to be a little different... He has made them blue roses. And Allen and I will teach our children that these people are to be treated with a great amount of respect and praise, for the burdens they carry are sometimes very heavy.
They are God's true miracles.

Please join me tonight, as you thank God for all he has given you, and say a little prayer for the beautiful and inspirational Emily!

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A Blue Rose and Thankful Thursday