I went into the grocery story not particulary interested in buying groceries I wasnt hungry. The pain of losing my husband of 37 years was still too raw. This grocery store held so many sweet memories. Rudy often came with me. He would almost always pretend to go off for something special. I knew what he was up to. I would always spot him walking down the aisle with three yellow roses. He knew that I loved yellow roses.
With a heart filled with grief I just wanted to get a few items and leave. Shopping for one took a little more time. Standing by the meat I searched for the perfect small steak and remembered how Rudy loved his steaks. Suddenly a woman came up beside of me. She was blonde and small and lovely. She wore a soft green pant suit. I watched as she picked up a large pack of T-bone steaks and placed them in her cart. She then picked the steak back up to return them to the meat tray, and turned to go. She saw me watching her and smiled. She said" My husband loves steak but at these prices, I don't know". I swallowed the emotions down my throat and met her pale blue eyes."
My husband passed away 8 years ago", I told her. Glancing at the package she had just returned to the meat tray , I fought to control the tremble in my voice. Buy him the steaks and enjoy every moment together. She shook her head and placed the pack of steaks back into her cart, and wheeled away. I could see the emotions swelling up in her eyes.
I pushed my cart over to the dairy aisle of the story and tried to decided which size milk I should get. After standing there and trying to decide, I changed my mind on the milk and decided to get ice cream instead. I could at least fix myself an ice cream cone. I placed the ice cream in my cart and looked down the aisle. I first noticed the green suite and then the lovely blonde hair, as she walked towards me , her eyes were holding mine.
As she walked closer I noticed what she held and tears begin to mist in my eyes. "These are for you", she said. She placed three long stemmed roses in my arms. "When you go threw the lines, they will know that these are paid for." She leaned over and placed a gentle kiss on my cheek, and smiled again. I wanted to tell her what she had done, what the roses ment, but still unable to speak. I watched as she walked away and tears blurring my vision.
I looked down at the beautiful roses wrapped in green paper, it seems almost so unreal. How did she know? Suddenly it came to me, I was no longer alone. Oh Rudy, you haven't forgotten me, 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 FOR WHO YOU ARE! |
