Jenny took off on her bike once again to go deliver some flowers of Happiness. Her Mom watched her out the kitchen window, she was so proud of her daughter. Jenny had a special love for flowers. She always made sure to have some in her room. She would also use her own money to buy her Mom a fresh bouquet of flowers every week to have them sitting on their table. Jenny said how the sight and pleasant scent of flowers made her heart happy and she wanted to spread the joy to her Mom.
Recently she had started delivering flowers to the neighbors. Once again using her own money. She started with the neighbors on her street but she started adding the streets from the development behind her. Jenny told her Mom how she loved to see the smiles that would come across the faces of the people when they would receive the flowers.
She laughed as she told her Mom that even sour Mr.McGregor was starting to give a faint smile. At least he wasn’t shouting at her anymore to not walk on his grass. In fact Jenny noticed that he was sitting on his front porch more regularly lately. One time Jenny said how nice it was to see him waiting for her. He just grunted, but again she saw the trace of a smile. His sour expression and grunts used to scare her, but not anymore.
Little Billy would come running when Jenny would ride into his driveway. He would always raise his arms up for Jenny to pick him up. He would smile big as he clutched a flower in his chubby little fingers to give to his Mom. He knew not to put them in his mouth anymore. Renee, his Mom, started coming out with cookies and lemonade when Jenny came. They would sit on the porch as Billy would beg for Jenny to play with him some.
Hazel was a older widow and she often told Jenny how a visit from her was the highlight of her week. Her husband had bought her flowers a lot when he was living. Jenny enjoyed talking with her, she enjoyed hearing stories from her past and of how things used to be. Hazel usually had little nuggets of wisdom to pass on to Jenny. Jenny tried to make Hazel’s visit be the last one, so that she could have the time to talk to her.
There was another house that Jenny longed to stop at, but her parents told her not to. Jenny really didn’t understand why. Her parents didn’t really give a reason besides the fact that they said those people in that house were “different”.. “Different”? Jenny wasn’t sure what to think about that. It spiked her curiosity though. What was so “different’ about them. Jenny had to know.
One day she had an idea. She ran up to the front door, laid some flowers down, pushed the doorbell and biked away as fast as she could. It worked! She got away and no harm came to her. The next week she tried it again. Jenny decided that as long as she never had to face them it would be fine to continue it and so she did.
Jenny asked Hazel one day about a sign that she had put in her yard. It said, “No matter where you are from, we are glad that you are our neighbor.” Hazel explained that it meant she welcomed everyone as a neighbor. Jenny got real quiet and then looked up at Hazel and said, “But what about that house down the street, aren’t you afraid of them? My parents say they are different!”
Hazel sighed and got a sad look in her eyes. “They are just like you and me Jenny. They have hearts that can be happy and that can break. They may speak a different language and come from a different land, but they know the power of a smile! Sadly people are afraid of things they don’t understand. If they would only know the joy that they are missing out on by not opening their heart and mind. Jenny put her head down and said softly, ” I wish I could meet them someday but my parents keep telling me to stay away.” Hazel took Jenny’s hand and gave it a squeeze and they just sat there in silence for a little feeling the gentle breeze.
Jenny’s Mom was inconsolable, the time was growing shorter and the Dr.s faces were getting graver. Hope had been so strong at first, but it was getting hard to keep holding onto it. Jenny’s Dad held his face in his hands, he just didn’t understand. How could this have happened. One minute Jenny is delivering flowers of happiness and the next she is fighting a life and death battle due to having been hit by a speeding driver.
Jenny needed a blood transfusion but she had a rare blood type and they were having trouble finding donors. Time was running short and Jenny was unconscious not knowing how her parents hearts ached. Suddenly the Dr burst into Jenny’s room. “We got a donor! ” Jenny’s parents embraced as their hearts soared! Tears were falling as they watched Jenny be wheeled out of the room.
3 days later Jenny was doing a lot better. The Dr has said she should be ready to go home in a couple more days. Her Mom was sitting in her room talking to Jenny when the Dr came in. “Dr. Kline Jenny and I were talking, would it be possible to meet the one who donated blood for her, we really would like to thank them.” Dr.Kline smiled and said he would see what he could do.
The next morning Jenny was finishing her breakfast as Dr. Kline walked in. ” Mr. and Mrs. Stouffer, I was able to locate the person who donated blood to Jenny. Jenny clapped her hands and her parents were all smiles. Dr. Kline stepped out the door for a minute and then stepped back in and said, “Please meet Roshana!” Jenny’s parents gasped! It was the new neighbor! The “different” neighbor. They couldn’t speak. Jenny though eagerly reached out her hand and squeezed Roshana’s hand as she said, ” Thank you so very much!!”
Roshana took her hand, and smiled. She then pulled from behind her back a bouquet of flowers for Jenny. Her parents watched as tears filled their eyes.
When Jenny came home from the hospital there were 2 signs to greet her in the front yard. One welcoming her home and the other sign welcoming their neighbors.
Very good post. Inspiring.
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Thank you very much!
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You’re welcome. You can check my blog as well. Thanks
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The perfect accompanying painting! Did you do it? It’s gorgeous.
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Oh you made me smile! Glad you love the painting, but I can guarantee you that I did not do it!! Trust me if I was to display a painting/drawing of mine on here the “gorgeous” word would not be one used to describe it! LOL!
I do not draw or paint, no artistic skill whatsoever, but your question did make me feel good. 🙂 The painting came from Pinterest. The painting caught my eye and then the story formed in my mind.
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Not true. Your artistry is with words.
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Awh!! Thank you so much! <3!
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When such a large percentage of your (and our) population represent different cultures and beliefs, and have various skin tones; when those same individuals are represented in so many professions including the medical profession which we all depend on. I cannot understand those who reject their fellow beings on the basis of color etc. It makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. I have to wonder how many racists would reject assistance by a coloured police officer or emergency rescue team. Would they really refuse life saving help by a coloured doctor/surgeon. It would appear to be nothing more than very hurtful examples of ignorance, stupidity and hypocrisy.
“Forgive them for they know not what they do.” would be appear to be appropriate.
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You are so right, it does entirely make no sense. Yes, it does make you wonder if racists really would refuse help when in dire need. Sadly I believe there are some that would!
Yes, that forgiveness quote is very appropriate, I agree!
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🙂
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Jenny rocks!
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We need more ” Jenny’s!” 🙂
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I may have shared these words from my very wise Gram before, but they bear repeating…”Flowers are God’s love made visible.” Hazel sounds like my Gram. Jenny understood the power of flowers and shared that with everyone! Fantabulous story filled with your own wisdom, love it. I think the nuggets of gold here might be…Love One Another and Be Kind! Beautiful post and picture, Thank-you!
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Lovely words from your Gram! Thanks for sharing and for your sweet words.
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Beautiful story and inspiring thoughts .. put a smile on my face 😊
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Wonderful that it made you smile! Thanks for your kind words.
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U are welcome 😊
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You made me cry, but that’s okay because they were good tears. 🙂 This is a lovely short story, well written, great moral, and very welcome during these times. Thank you for the lovely reminder. And, I don’t care that you got the picture off Pinterest because I love it because I had a blue bike similar to that when I was growing up. 🙂 You made my evening a little brighter.
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Oh Judy you are going to choke me up now! Thank you very much for your precious words. So glad that I could brighten your evening with my story! You brightened mine with your words.
I actually was thinking of taking this story another direction at first, but then my pen took over, I believe it did the right thing. 🙂
I love that you had a blue bike similar to the one in the picture! I really was meant to choose that picture!
Pinterest is definitely one of my favorite sites! It helps me with my blog and I love going on it to dream about places I want to vacation too and to get my Boston Terrier fix! LOL! I had a Boston Terrier as my first dog and I just love that breed! Pinterest has some of the cutest pictures of them!
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My husband’s sister and husband in Houston raised Boston Terriers and always had at least three at any one time. Years ago, when our daughter was little we went for a visit and they had just had puppies. Oh my gosh, those tiny little guys rocked the cute meter. We never had to look for our daughter the whole week because she was where the puppies were. 🙂
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Yes they stole my heart! They are simply adorable.
LOL about your daugnter!
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Oh wow! I absolutely love this!
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Thank you!! Very glad to hear it. 🙂
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such a lovely story! hooray for happy endings! Love the painting you found too that inspired it 🙂
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Yes, hooray indeed! 🙂
Thanks Jodi!
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What a wonderful story!!! I loved it very much. It’s so important to be kind to everyone and give them a chance, because you just never know!!!
Kathrin — http://mycupofenglishtea.wordpress.com
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Thank you! So glad that you enjoyed it. Thank you for visiting my blog! Have a great day!
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No problem – I really did, it was a very well-written story.
If you have any time I would love your opinion on my blog. I only started it a few weeks ago, so any feedback is welcome.
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Thank you again and later today I will be glad to check it out! 🙂
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