A short story

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 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 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 from day to day and wish my
circumstances were not so modest.

Thank you, Lord, for life.