Here's to 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 7 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 decid ed 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 te ars 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 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, 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 fro m 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? 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.