posted November 11, 2004 02:07 PM         

One day Mr. Miller was bagging some early potatoes for me.. I noticed a small boy, delicate of bone and feature, ragged but clean, hungrily appraising a basket of freshly picked green peas.

I paid for my potatoes but was also drawn to the display of fresh green peas. I am a pushover for creamed peas and new potatoes. Pondering the peas, I couldn't help overhearing the conversation between Mr. Miller and the ragged boy next to me.

"Hello Barry, how are you today?"

"H'lo, Mr. Miller. Fine, thank ya. Jus' admirin' them peas . sure look good."

"They are good, Barry. How's your Ma?"

"Fine. Gittin' stronger alla' time."

"Good. Anything I can help you with?"

"No, Sir. Jus' admirin' them peas."

"Would you like to take some home?"

"No, Sir. Got nuthin' to pay for 'em with."

"Well, what have you to trade me for some of those peas?"

"All I got's my prize marble here."

"Is that right? Let me see it."

"Here 'tis. She's a dandy."

"I can see that. Hmmmmm, only thing is this one is blue and I sort of go for red. Do you have a red one like this at home?"

"Not zackley ... but almost."

"Tell you what. Take this sack of peas home with you and next trip this way let me look at that red marble."

"Sure will. Thanks Mr. Miller."

Mrs. Miller, who had been standing nearby, came over to help me. With a smile she said, "There are two other boys like him in our community, all three are in very poor circumstances. Jim just loves to bargain with them for peas, apples, tomatoes, or whatever. When they come back with their red marbles, and they always do, he decides he doesn't like red after all and he sends them home with a bag of produce for a green marble or an orange one, perhaps."

I left the stand smiling to myself, impressed with this man. A short time later I moved to Colorado but I never forgot the story of this man, the boys, and their bartering.

Several years went by, each more rapid than the previous one. Just recently I had the occasion to visit some old friends in that Idaho community and while I was there I learned that Mr. Miller had died. They were having his viewing that evening and knowing my friends wanted to go, I agreed to accompany them.

Upon arrival at the mortuary we fell into line to meet the relatives of the deceased and to offer whatever words of comfort we could. Ahead of us in line were three young men. One was in an army uniform and the other two wore nice haircuts, dark suits and white shirts .. all very professional looking.

They approached Mrs. Miller, standing composed and smiling by her husband's casket. Each of the young men hugged her, kissed her on the cheek, spoke briefly with her and moved on to the casket. Her misty light blue eyes followed them as, one by one, each young man stopped briefly and placed his own warm hand over the cold pale hand in the casket. Each left the mortuary awkwardly, wiping his eyes.

Our turn came to meet Mrs. Miller. I told her who I was and mentioned the story she had told me about the marbles. With her eyes glistening, she took my hand and led me to the casket.

"Those three young men who just left were the boys I told you about. They just told me how they appreciated the things Jim "traded" them. Now, at last, when Jim could not change his mind about color or size..they came to pay their debt."

"We've never had a great deal of the wealth of this world," she confided, "but right now, Jim would consider himself the richest man in Idaho."

With loving gentleness she lifted the lifeless fingers of her deceased husband Resting underneath were three exquisitely shined red marbles.

Moral: We will not be remembered by our words, but by our kind deeds.

Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath.

Today .. I wish you a day of ordinary miracles . A fresh pot of coffee you didn't make yourself ....... An unexpected phone call from an old friend ......... Green stoplights on your way to work . The fastest line at the grocery store .......... A good sing-along song on the radio . Your keys right where you left them

They say it takes a minute to find a special person, An hour to appreciate them, A day to love them, But an entire life to forget them.

Send this to the people you'll never forget.

posted November 11, 2004 03:10 PM         

In the intrerest of sharing, I am going to relate a story.
A few days back, at work, a family of women came in.. a mother, with a back injury, walking with the aid of a walker, and her two girls, very well developed both in body and mind ( as well as obvious compassion) aged 13 and 16. They have come in before and I have spoken with them, heard their 'story' etc.
I councel on hair colour theory, as well as skin care, amoungst other things. So... The 13 year old wanted to change her hair colour, and did.. I talked to her about possibilities, and having patience, and what in theory, this product will give her... She came in later that night, with red rimmed eyes. It didn't turn out how she'd planned (they rarely do, don't they) Anyway.. To correct the problem, she would have needed to get two products.She couldn't afford it. She was almost in tears, and I couldn't have that. I asked how much money she had on her, and said if she didn't have enough, I would get the other one for her, as she needed it ( and had to go to school the next day.)
She was absolutely moved, as I rang in her purchases,( with my own interac card, ha ha) and that was enough for me right there. She hugged me genuinely, and I felt soooo good. After all, what is the big deal to me... every once and a while, I run out of money too.. ( that's another story !!!)with my bills and hidden expenses ( and my luxury Venus purchases.)
The next day, she came back with her mother, and a huge hug for me..... complete with a card, saying she'd never forget my kindness, a picture she drew for me, the money to pay me back, and she talked to my superviser, and others in the store, to say how I had gone above and beyond.
It's funny, as my mother raised me like this. I like to help people. I don't understand how to not do it. I am always touched and moved how such a small thing to me, means the world to others, and am always a litle awe stricken and proud when it is sooooooooo positive.

The rest of the story...
At the store near where I work today, I tried to buy a pack of smokes (*eeeeewww!! I know, I know*) Because of the bank, my pay will be in the form of a cheque, therefore not in my bank....... I paid two huge bills yesterday. HUGE. But I thought I still had money in my account. No problem.. Well, something automatic came out last night as well, so I was reduced to overdraft, then nothing. I didn't know this when I went to pay, and the measley amount of money wouldn't go through. I had not enough change on me to cover it. He didn't take credit card. I was quite embarrassed.
He said.. "Take them, come back tomorrow to pay."
Normally, I wouldn't.. and I started saying.. "oh, no, it's okay..." But then I thought.. well, hang on, didn't I just do that for someone else? Sent a little smile up for the ways of the world, and said "Thank you" to the kind man, as I made sure to record this, and told him I'd be back before my shift the next day.

posted November 11, 2004 03:17 PM         

Thanks for sharing this one too, Jay-Dub

See... I told you I knew you were a good guy... and now I see your loving heart

Pix,

I've always known what an angel you are. Now I have proof.

posted November 11, 2004 07:24 PM         

Pixie ,
You reminded me of a teacher I had in elementary school. I believe I was in fourth grade. On class picture day, I was the only one without money to get pictures taken. When the class went to the gymnasium to get them done, I kind of lagged behind in the classroom. My teacher asked why I wasnt going to get my pictures taken, and I embarrassingly told her my mom didnt have the money. I could tell she felt really bad. She told me she'd be right back and came back with money for me to get a picture package. I now felt even worse and didnt want to take the money. She eventually convinced me to. I remember feeling so relieved that I wouldnt be the only one not getting pictures back when everyone else did again. It really touched me at the time and still does.

That was so sweet what you did for that girl. That's what life's about, random acts of kindness. Is there a better feeling than the one you get when you make someone happy?