rumitoid

I was at the corner grocery store buying some early potatoes. I noticed a small boy, delicate of bone and feature, ragged but clean, hungrily apprising 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 (the store owner) and the ragged boy next to me.

"Hello Barry, how are you today?"

"H'lo, Mr. Miller. Fine, thank ya. Jus' admirin' them peas. They 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 take some home?" asked Mr. Miller.

"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" said Miller.

"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?" the store owner asked.

"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" Mr. Miller told the boy.

"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 town, all three are in very poor circumstances. Jim just loves to bargain with them for peas, apples, tomatoes, or wh**ever. 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, when they come on their next trip to the store."

I left the store 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 for marbles.

Several years went by, each more rapid than the previous one. Just recently I had occasion to visit some old friends in that Idaho community and while I was there learned that Mr. Miller had died. They were having his visitation 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 wh**ever words of comfort we could

Ahead of us in line were three young men. One was in an army uniform and the other two had nice haircuts, wore 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 reminded her of the story from those many years ago and what she had told me about her husband's bartering for marbles. With her eyes glistening, she took my hand and led me to the casket.

"Those three young men who just left were those boys. 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.


The 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 found right where you left them.

Send this to the people you'll never forget. I just Did...

If you don't send it to anyone, it means you are in way too much of a hurry to even notice the ordinary miracles when they occur.

no propaganda please Loc: moon orbiting the third rock from the sun

Great story. Have already sent it to several of" our boys" and will hand deliver it to Pete and David this weekend. Thanks.

AuntiE Loc: 45th Least Free State

For you, here is a marble.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=a5j_XuATgRU

no propaganda please Loc: moon orbiting the third rock from the sun

Great version as usual. Glad we have the same love for that song.

AuntiE Loc: 45th Least Free State

I could post a different version everyday. You, rumitoid and myself would, likely, not tire of it.

Are you keeping copies for Christmas?

rumitoid

Thank you so much, and such a beautiful rendition, but that song gets me every time no matter who sings it. Such a spectacularly shiny marble, so pure.

no propaganda please Loc: moon orbiting the third rock from the sun

I am keeping the you tube listings so I can listen again.

AuntiE Loc: 45th Least Free State

Excellent! :thumbup: :thumbup:

Boo_Boo Loc: Jellystone

Oh for goodness sake..... Every year crap like this is written and people get all silly and teary. This is so made up just to make people feel bad about not buying or giving more. Because it is Christmas!!! And that is what it is about, feeding or clothing and perhaps being kind for one day of the year.....

What underachievers!!!! Those people that you feed once... the other 364 and a quarter days don't have enough. Those people that you put a pair of shoes on, well children's feet grow and in a few months, they are wearing what?

You want to honor Jesus, why not feed and cloth people 364 and a quarter days and leave one day to ponder the birthday of a Rabbi, a teacher, a mother, a father, a minister, school bus driver.............. Enjoy the company of family and friends; enjoy the smile on your child's face or grandchild....knowing that 364 and a quarter days you unselfishly and un-programmed, without prodding or sappy made up stories cared for the hungry, the poor, the ones in need. That you comforted the widow(er), gave a child a pep talk.....

rumitoid

It is a parable about how to give in a truly generous way, that is by not making it appear as charity and letting those in need have a measure of dignity in the process. To access and appreciate such tales one needs "the willing suspension of disbelief." (Samuel Taylor Coleridge) A cynical attitude may be called for yet for oneself the story can be uplifting, if allowed.

To like the message of that parable does not mean one is an "under-achiever," of a bad conscience, does not care "for the least of these" throughout the year, fails to enjoy "the company of family and friends or enjoy the smile on your child's face or grandchild. How did you get that conclusion?

badbobby Loc: texas

rum,
I don't agree with your political thoughts,but I agree with your heart

rumitoid

Thank you, I appreciate that very much.

She Wolf Loc: Currently Georgia

It is a beautiful parable. We were taught to give anonymously. To do otherwise was considered bad form. If our neighbor was having financial difficulties, you left groceries on the porch. When one of our neighbors came asking if my mother needed any work done in the yard. Mama found work for weeks just to help his family out.

This parable is a great reminder of why we are here. To help each other. Thank you.