Blue Roses

After shopping I headed for checkout only to be blocked in the narrow aisle by a young man who appeared to be about 16.  I patiently waited for him to realize that I was there.  Then he waved his hands excitedly and
declared loudly, ‘Mommy, I’m over here.’ It was obvious now; he was mentally challenged and also startled to see me waiting to squeeze by. His eyes widened with surprise 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 Hal.’ ‘Hal like Halloween?’ he asked. ‘Yes,’ I answered. ‘How old
are you Denny? ‘How old am I now, Mommy?’ he asked his mother as she came from the next aisle. ‘You’re 15, Denny; now be a good boy and let the man pass.’ I talked to Denny for several more minutes about summer, bicycles and school, and I watched his brown eyes dance with excitement because he was the center
of someone’s attention. Denny’s mom thanked me for taking the time to talk with her son.  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. (From the March/April 2010 Gathered View.)