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 appraising 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 to 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. Hmm mmm, 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 our community, all
three are in very poor circumstances. Jim just loves to bargain with them for
peas, apples, tomatoes, or whatever.
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 whatever words of comfort we could.
Ahead of us in line were three young men. One was in an army uniform and the
other two wore nice haircuts, 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 the boys I told you about.
They just told me how they appreciated the things Jim 'traded' them. Now, at last,
when Jim could not change his mind about colour 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.
IT'S NOT WHAT YOU GATHER, BUT WHAT YOU SCATTER THAT TELLS WHAT KIND OF LIFE YOU
HAVE LIVED!
