I Met An Angel Today
It was 6:30 in the afternoon. I had just completed my shopping and was coming out of the store with a cart holding four bags of goods and a boquet of lillies. I parked the cart inside, as I noticed there weren't too many left for other patrons. After finally grabbing my bags all in my left hand and the lillies in my right, I turned toward the door to exit, only to see this frail, petite little old lady shuffleing ever so slowly toward the door.
My bags contained a gallon of mild and a halfpgallon CranGrape juice--and they were heavy. Not wanting to wait until my next birthday for the little lady to pass, I was easing past the silver-haired old saint, giving her plenty of room to spare. As I was almost out of there and gone for good, I heard her say with a gentle voice, "Oh! Are THOSE for ME???"
I stopped in my tracks, feeling a little guilty for not waiting for her to go first, like my daddy always taught me. Looking directly at her, my eyes beheld an eighties-something little lady with pale skin, fairly short hair and a big friendly smile. Her baby-blue eyes pierced my soul with a twinkle and let me know that she was a lonely, kind-hearted sort who loved lifewhat was left of it. Her smile was warm and genuine, her fading eyes wide...accepting my surprised look.
"Oh, dear, these things are just to make my house look more cozy. I don't mind so much being alone, but I don't want the house to shout out to a coming special visitor, 'Hey, an old bachelor lives here.' " I continued, "One DOES live there but I don't want it to be so painfully obvious." She laughed a life-giving laugh. I nodded my head 'goodbye' and was on my way to the truck when it happened.
My spirit was just hammered about 20 feet from the truck. I thought back to the encounter. My conscience screamed, "Don't you know she wishes she was twenty again and receiving flowers from beaus? Is she not thinking of the times her now-deceased husband gave her flowers...and the unlikely probability of her ever gettin more?" The hammering continued, "Just how long do you think it's been since anyone has expressed simple, sweet love to her?" My spirit now being at the complete mercy of my conscience, the final two blows came rapid fire: "You think YOU are alone. I ask; what would drive a complete stranger to engage you in direct conversation?"
Okay, okay! I knew what I wanted to do. I circled the parking lot two times looking for the little lady, but could not find her anywhere! She could not have been more than a hundred feet from the front of the store, as slow as she progressed. "I have failed the test," I thought. "Do unto others..." I had NOT because I was wrapped up in my own selfish thoughts. I felt defeated and ashamed at my displayed self-centeredness.
I made my third trip through the lot, scanning back and forth and then I locked on to this same little old ancient lady..the same one with the cart with the aluminum walking cane thingy inside. I was almost giddy that I had my second chance!
I parked the truck directly across from her. It became obvious that she and two others were probably from one of the assested-living centers around town. Their driver was in her forties, I estimated. She looked dutifully bored. I took the lillies with my right hand and exited the truck. I was still ten yards away when she spied me and the flowers. Her face flashed me another big smile. "Ma'am, would you do me the honor of accepting these?" I held them out to her and she looked up at me, her blue eyes brimming. "Oh dear one, you are so sweet. They ARE most beautiful, you know." "No, dear; YOU are most beautiful." She took my left hand with her pale cold-to-the-touch grip. "Bless you indeed, young man," she said. "I should have given these to you at the door. I have the ability to get more and I'd just love for them to brighten up your coming days. Remember dear, God Himself made them and is fully responsible for any blessings you might receive--including the joy from His creation this afternoon.
She just grinned now having both of her feeble little hands on my left hand. She just shook my hand with all she could muster, I think. With that, I stepped away from her and her friends. I had forgotten how special it is to give--moreso than to receive. Over the last several months, I have been selfish, being all-consumed in my divorce proceedings. I had completely lost sight and had only been taking-taking-taking and feeling all-too sorry for myself for all-too long.
There are so many lonely souls out there. For once--one of them will not be so lonely for a few days.
I really wanted purple flowers anyway.
Blessings abound and life is good.
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Thanks for coming along, folk.
Arkie John
This is not really supposed to focus on me treating a little old lady special, although that DID happen. It's really about the power of giving. It really is a special blessing to be on the giving end. aj
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/26/2009 11:38PM by Wayne in BC.
I Met an Angel Today
Bruce was a nice guy but I avoided him because of the way he made me feel. People are attracted to people by not what they do for them but how they make them feel.
