Hi Rhonda,
Thanks for sharing with us, it brought tears to my eyes and made me stop and 
think just how precious life is every day.
Virgie and Lady Hoshi
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Rhonda" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Sunday, December 16, 2007 3:36 PM
Subject: stakes and roses a lovely story


> T-bone steaks, yellow roses and friendship
> READ THIS!!!! and then reread it. Especially the last part...
>
> 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 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, 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)
>
> This is a simple request. If you appreciate life, send this to your 
> friends,
> including! the person that sent it to you.
>
> 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 again st 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
> circumstances were not so modest.
>
> Thank you, Lord, for life.
>
> Pass this on to the friends you know. It might help a b it to make this
> world a better place to live, right? 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!
>
> God bless you and yours.
>
> Now send this to every friend you have and don't forget me
>
> "We are all meant to be mothers of God for God is always needing to be 
> born
> ." - Meiste
>
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> 12/16/2007
> 11:36 AM
>
>