Thursday, October 05, 2006

Most Beautiful Flower.

Hi Everyone ~~ Nice to be back with you again and I want to thank you for the comments. I hope to catch up with you all over the next couple of days. My son rang after work, and inquired what I needed “my son” to get for me !! Well he got most of what I couldn’t get myself. I have a Brita filter on my kitchen tap and so far have not found the appropriate refill for it. I have had lots before, and it makes the water much nicer than the town water. One of us will find them !!

John also got me a couple of Cherry Tomato seedlings, and some capsicums. (Bell Peppers) I planted 2 punnets of pansies this morning, which is not easy for me. They look fine, so far.



The article tonight is “The Most Beautiful Flower.”



The park bench was deserted as I sat down to read

Beneath the long, straggly branches of an old willow tree.

Disillusioned by life with good reason to frown,

For the world was intent on dragging me down.

And if that weren’t enough to ruin my day,

A young boy out of breath approached me, all tired from play,

He stood right before me with his head tilted down

And said with great excitement, “Look what I found !”



In his hand was a flower, and what a pitiful sight,

With it’s petals all worn – not enough rain, or too little light,

Wantng him to take his dead flower and go off and play,

I faked a small smile and then shifted away.

But instead of retreating he sat next to my side

And placed the flower to his nose and declared with overacted surprise,

“It sure smells pretty and it’s beautiful, too.

That’s why I picked it; here, it’s for you.”



The weed before me was dying or dead,

Not vibrant of colors: orange, yellow or red.

But I knew I must take it, or he might never leave.

So I reached for the flower, and replied, “Just what I need.”

But instead of him placing the flower in my hand,

He held it mid-air without reason or plan.

It was then that I noticed for the very first time

That weed-toting boy could not see; he was blind.



I heard my voice quiver; tears shone in the sun

As I thanked him for picking the very best one.

“You’re welcome,” he smiled, and then ran off to play,

Unaware of the impact he’d had on my day.

I sat there and wondered how he managed to see

A self-pitying woman beneath an old willow tree.

How did he know of my self-indulged plight ?

Perhaps from his heart, he’s been blessed with true sight.



Through the eyes of a blind child, at last I could see

The problem was not with the world; the problem was me.

And for all of those times I myself had been blind,

I vowed to see the beauty in life, and appreciate every second that’s mine.

And then I held that wilted flower up to my nose

And breathed in the fragrance of a beautiful rose

And smiled as I watched that young boy, another weed in his hand,

About to change the life of an unsuspecting old man.



Author - - Cheryl Costello-Forshey.

Beautful poem Cheryl.



Now a joke or two - - -



Obsession

A psychiatrist was conducting a group therapy session with four young mothers and their small children...

"You all have obsessions," he observed.

To the first mother, Mary, he said, "You are obsessed with eating.

You've even named your daughter Candy."

He turned to the second Mom, Ann, "Your obsession is with money. Again, it manifests itself in your child's name, Penny."

He turns to the third Mom, Joyce, "Your obsession is alcohol.

This too manifests itself in your child's name, Brandy."

At this point, the fourth mother, Kathy,

gets up, takes her little boy by the hand and whispers.

"Come on, Dick, we're leaving."

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

that park/blind boy thing almost made me tear up...i'm glad you followed it with funnies cause we can't have me bawling today

Jim said...

That blind boy story sure does make one look at priorities and blessings, doesn't it?
It might not apply to someone my age, at least for me because I've done everything in life that I need to do for me!
But, I will enjoy life's blessings while I can and maybe there is still some more to do for someone else for their needs.
..

Jim said...

Thanks for commenting this morning, my morning, your evening about the gas price.

I answered on my blog (you can delete this after you read it if you want):

"Thanks, Merle, we aren't professionals and I don't like to paint, but we do a passable job.

"Our gas price is for one gallon which is 3.7854118 liter. That is 52.8 U.S. Cents per litre (our price is really $1.999 per gallon).

"It converts to 70.85 Australian Cents per litre, which is just over half your price. That is using todays exchange rate of $1.00 U.S. for $1.3418 Australian Dollar."
..

Susie said...

Great story about the blind boy and the flower. A lesson there for all of us..
Cute jokes today too!
((hugs))

Merle said...

Hello Bec ~ I have been behind in my replies lately, but it was good to hear from you. I usually shop at Safeway, as you know. But a fortnight ago we did go to Coles. Your Dad did get me some things after work today.
It is getting warmer down here too.
Hope all the folks are well,
Bye for now, Love, Grandma.

Karen said...

I always enjoy coming here, you find such wonderful things to share.

What a good son you have, he must take after his mother...

Take care! Love & hugs!

Alice said...

Such a lovely poem, Merle. If only we could all appreciatre the beauty that's all around us, with whatever senses we have.

I haven't commented often, but I love your jokes.

Have a great weekend, Merle.

Pear tree cottage! said...

Merle, the poem is so lovely and I am so pleased you chared it with us. And your jokes.........Yes well they put a smile always on my face.

I am off now today to put in some seedlings, I hope the frost is now over here as we have had some horrid ones in the past weeks. one day 30deg then the next 10 with frosty mornings, that's what we call an aussie spring! :o)

take care my friend Lee-ann

Carole Burant said...

Dear Merle...what a wonderful and heartwarming story of the little blind boy. Does make you realize how "blind" we can actually be to what is beautiful around us and in our lives. Loved the jokes, especially the one with the obsessions...Dick!!! LOL The quotes were wonderful as usual also!! Hugs xox

Shelley said...

Great story! Thanks for sharing. I love blonde jokes..and being a blonde though, some times I have a hard time understanding them. (wink wink) LOL

Pamela said...

Merle, the blind boy and the woman on the park bench was such a lovely piece of writing. If the world would consider it is much more than what the gift is worth or what it looks like...a true act of love and kindness is from the heart.

The mom who named her boy Dick...oh, my goodness, that was so funny! :)

Hey, I think we caught a glimpse of your West Coast Eagles on TV. They wear blue and white striped shirts...right? The guys wore no pads or helmets, and the game was much more physical than our football games here in the US...lol

TJ said...

the "most beautiful flower" was very beautiful and very needed by me this evening...thanks so much for sharing it!!
:-D

Peter said...

Good pome Merle, I'm guessing that Pamela may have seen the ARL final not AFL??
your choice of colours are a bit light, hard to read.

Jeanette said...

Dear Merle
"The little blind boy and his flower" Thank you for sharing this beautifull story. also loved the jokes .Take care keep smiling. Jan

Anonymous said...

Hi Merle. That was a beautiful poem about the blind boy and so true, too.

But that joke about obsessions - Dick! That was so funny, I roared laughing. Jane heard me and came to see what I was laughing about so I showed her. That was the two of us having fits of laughter then. What a lovely moment to have in the day.

Take care, Merle

Love and hugs

Robyn xoxo

Meow (aka Connie) said...

What a beautiful story, Merle ... thank you for sharing.
Loved the blonde joke, and the one on obsessions ... hahahaha.
Have a wonderful weekend, dear friend ... Take care, Meow

JunieRose2005 said...

I liked the flower story very much!

and the jokes were very funny!

June

Mountain Mama said...

The story about the little boy and the rose is a good lesson for us all.
As usual, your jokes are hillarious.
About the 'obsessions' Lets see....I named my kids, Patty, Kathleen, Cyndra Michael and Shawn. They sound pretty Irish but I don't think there are any obsessions involved. LOL

audrey` said...

Hi Merle

You've a very fine young son.
God bless you =)

LZ Blogger said...

Merle ~ Cute Flower story! ~ jb///