Here's to T-bone steaks, yellow roses and friendship. 
   
  
    I walked into the grocery store not particularly interested in
    buying groceries. I wasn't hungry. The pain of losing my husband of 17 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.
     
   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.
  
    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.