I stopped at the store to buy some flowers during Mother’s Day week, hoping to pass them on the street to homeless friends. Now, I expected to see more men on my outing, but can’t you see the smiles from the guys who’d get one?
While in line at the checkout, a man in front of me and the woman behind me held flowers, as did the following three people. This first man let me go ahead and the other lady and the others.
I told the man, “You’re never going home if you keep letting us go ahead.”
He asked, “So, who will get your flowers? You have enough for several people.”
I smiled, glancing at my collection. “These are for a friend. She won’t see her kids today. They live far away.”
“That’s nice. I’ll pray for her.” “Please do; she’s hoping to move from the homeless shelter soon.” I said ‘shelter’ like it was a normal response.
“Shelter?” “Yes. She’s homeless, but maybe, not for too much longer.”
“I’ll lift her in prayer.” “Thank you.” “What about the rest of your flowers?”
“They’re for anyone I see who seems lonely while I’m out and about today.”
“Mine are for my wife. She’s buried just down the road.”
“I’m so sorry. She’ll love those.” “She will.” The man wiped his face, a tear sneaking out.
I then drove towards the area where I told my friend I’d meet her, but before that happened, a man stopped to see if I had car trouble due to where I parked my car.
Then another car stopped, and another. Then a woman in an SUV called to me from across the way. “Sweetie, you all right? You need help?”
“No, thank you. Just meeting up with a friend.” As her vehicle idled, she grinned, “I don’t see any houses.” Her look was one I get from many folks as if she thought I was off a little.
I assured the lady. “I know. I’m fine.” “And you ... you are picking her up?” Right about then, my friend’s head came into view, and I pointed, “See! There she is.”
The driver-lady waved, “Happy Mother’s Day to you both.” And she drove off.
My friend, hopping in my car, asked, “Do you just talk to everybody?”
Laughing, I answered, “It might seem that way.” After we ran for a quick meal, we handed out carnations to all the ladies working at the fast-food restaurant where we’d stopped.
One of the guys behind the counter smiled like it was odd to see yellow flowers being handed out to employees. I started to hand him one, “We have enough. You want one too?”
He laughed, shaking his head, and my friend interjected, “You have to watch her. She doesn’t meet a stranger.”
The ladies from the counter called out, “Happy Mother’s Day to you both.”
We drove downtown, and my friend held her flower arrangement in her lap and an order of chicken strips.’
She told me stories of her kids and took us down memory lane, “I didn’t even know it was Mother’s Day. Someday I’ll reunite with my kids. And I can’t wait.”
Then we both cried until a honk jerked us back to reality as I’d stopped on the side of the road. Rolling my window down, the woman from yet, another car called, “Are you stranded?”
I answered, “No, we’re just sobbing on the side of the road.”
My homeless friend took over, “We’re fine. She’s crying about my kids.”
The driver yelled, “Anything I can do?” “No, she’ll stop in a minute.” So, it was a grand outing! With chicken strips. With tears. With flowers. With hugs!.With laughter. And with prayer. And with plenty of guys on the streets smiling as they held a carnation in their hands.
It was a sight beyond beautiful--all because someone grew the prettiest flowers and sent them to the store where I shopped! And it began with a man who let me go first at the store, his kindness a reminder to put others on a day when life seems to forget you, when your mind wishes for another outcome when life can seem anything but beautiful.
Go. Do. Be. See. Hug. Smile. Laugh. Cry. Be with someone. Show love. Do unto others with kindness. Change a life with your presence. And you, too, will be changed, and you will find your smile! And it does help if you can remember you never know what someone is facing or enduring or where they are taking those flowers!
