The Porch Light copyright by Revka (2006-2010). All rights reserved.

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

A Beautiful Surprise

It's a good thing that flowers aren't at the top of my "Favorite Gifts to Receive" list. Don't get me wrong - I like getting flowers, but I'm okay with not getting them, too.

Which, as I stated before, is a good thing because the last time Mr. Incredible gave me flowers was 4 days before he proposed to me. 10 years ago.

The last time, that is, until Saturday night when he surprised me by giving me a dozen roses for absolutely no reason. What a nice surprise! It definitely said, "I love you."

I think I've about photographed the poor flowers to death, using my early anniversary present (which I absolutely LOVE). I'll probably hang them upside down to dry tonight. I still have the dried roses from 10years ago. I arranged them in a crystal basket I have, and I love them as much now as I did when I first received them.

Here are some of my favorite photos of Saturday's roses. I know the first one is blurry and the second one makes it appear that I live in a crooked house, but I still like it them.


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Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Giving and Receiving

*This was originally written on March 26, 2009, but it languished in my drafts folder until I found it today.*

The kids and I had an interesting trip to Wal-Mart after church last night. We had the unexpected opportunity to both give and receive.

I needed to pick up just a few items, including milk. We made our way to the back of the store for the milk first (that's Mr. Incredible's way of shopping that has become ingrained in me). When we got to the dairy section, the only other people there were three men who looked like Muslims. They had the long robes, the beards, and the brimless caps.

I must admit that I was thinking about how different they were and about the potential for them to be the "bad guys." But I reminded myself that for the most part, people are just people. So when I made eye contact with one of the men, I smiled, said hello, and asked how he was doing. After exchanging pleasantries, we all moved on with our shopping.

When I had picked up the last item we needed, the girls asked if they could go look at the cakes. Being in no particular hurry, I agreed, and they happily ran ahead of me to the cakes.

As it turns out, the three men were shopping in that section, too. The same man I had spoken with previously remarked about how excited the girls were. I replied that they always loved looking at the cakes. He asked if them if they liked a particular cake. Then he saw the cupcakes and asked me if they liked them. Of course they do.

Next, he asked Miss Muffet which cupcakes she liked - white or black. I told him that she doesn't like chocolate, although her sisters do. He then proceeded to pick up two containers of cupcakes, one vanilla and one chocolate. He gave them to me and also gave me the money to pay for them, saying that they were for the children.

I was quite surprised, of course, but thanked him most sincerely and told the girls that he had just bought them the cupcakes. They thanked him, too, and we once again parted ways.

A few moments later, I was checking out when Pookie Bear tugged at my sleeve. She pointed to an elderly lady in the express lane near us and urgently whispered something. I didn't catch what she said and asked her to repeat it. She asked me if she could help the lady carry her groceries.

I was hesitant (what if the lady thought we were bothering her and said no or got irritated?), but after repeated requests on Pookie's part, I reluctantly acquiesced.

When we approached the lady with our offer, she was greatly surprised but gladly agreed to accept our help. Each of the girls volunteered to take a bag, leaving the lady with nothing to do but take us to her vehicle. She commented that no one had ever done that for her, and I told her that it was my daughter's idea.

When we got the groceries situation in her vehicle, she thanked us, and we walked on to our vehicle. All of the girls were very happy that they had been able to help someone else. I was rather thoughtful, thinking how often I fail to see the people beside me who could use my help and marveling at the tender, thoughtful heart of my daughter.

I pray that I will set a better example for my children and not only tell but also SHOW them what it means to be thoughtful and helpful.

It was an unusual trip as trips to the store normally go, but I was blessed by the gift that was given to us and the one that we were able to give.

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