RED ROSES FOR "ROSE" Red roses were her favorites, her name was also Rose. And every year her husband sent them, tied with pretty bows.The year he died, the roses were delivered to her door. The card said, "Be My Valentine," like all the years before. Each year he's sent her roses, and the note would always say, "I love you even more this year, than last year on this day. My love for you will always grow, with every passing year." She knew this was the last time that the roses would appear. She thought, he ordered roses in advance before this day. Her loving husband did not know, that he would pass away. He always liked to do things early, way before the time. Then if he got too busy, everything would work out fine. She trimmed the stems, and placed them in a very special vase. Then, she set the vase beside the portrait of his smiling face. She would sit for hours, in her husband's favorite chair, While staring at his picture, and the roses sitting there. A year went by, and it was hard to live without her mate. With loneliness and solitude, that had become her fate. Then, the very hour, as on Valentine's before, The doorbell rang, and there were roses, sitting by her door. She brought the roses in and then just looked at them in shock, Then went to get the telephone, to call the florist shop. The owner answered, and she asked him, if he would explain, Why would someone do this to her, causing her such pain? "I know your husband passed away, more than a year ago," the owner said, "I knew you'd call, and you would want to know. The flowers you received today, were paid for in advance. Your husband always planned ahead, he left nothing to chance. "There is a standing order, that I have on file down here, And he has paid, well in advance, you'll get them every year. There also is another thing, that I think you should know, He wrote a special little card...he did this years ago. Then, should I ever find that he's no longer here, That's the card...that should be sent to you the following year." She thanked him and hung up the phone, her tears now flowing hard. Her fingers shaking, as she slowly reached to get the card. Inside the card she saw, that he had written her a note. Then, as she stared in total silence, this is what he wrote... "Hello my love, I know it's been a year since I've been gone, I hope it hasn't been too hard for you to overcome. I know it must be lonely, and the pain is very real. For it was the other way, I know how I would feel. The love we shared made everything so beautiful in life. I loved you more than words can say, you were the perfect wife." "You were my friend and lover, you fulfilled my every need. I know it's only been a year, but please try not to grieve. I want you to be happy, even when you shed your tears; That is why the roses will be sent to you for years. "When you get these roses, think of all the happiness, That we had together, and how both of us were blessed. I have always loved you and I know I always will. But, my love, you must go on, you have some living still." "Please...try to find happiness, while living out your days. I know it's not easy, but I hope you find some ways. The roses will come every year, and they will only stop, When your door's not answered, when the florist stops to knock." "He will come five times that day, in case you have gone out. But after his last visit, he will know without a doubt, To take the roses to the place, where I've instructed him, And place the roses where we are, together once again.

THE TOUCH OF THE MASTER'S HAND Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneerThought it scarcely worth his whileTo waste much time on the old violin,But held it up with a smile. "What am I bidden, good folks," he cried,"Who will start bidding for me? A dollar, a dollar" --then,But no, From the room, far back, a gray-haired man Came forward and picked up the bow; Then wiping the dust from the old violin,And tightening up all the loose strings.He played a melody pure and sweetAs sweet as an angel sings. The music ceased and the auctioneer With a voice that was quiet and low, Said what am I bidden for the old violin?And he held it up with the bow.A thousand dollars, and who'll make it two?Two thousand!And who'll make it three?Three thousand, once; three thousand twice;And going, and gone!" said he.The people cheered, but some of them cried,"We do not quite understandWhat changed its worth?"Swift came the reply: "The Touch of the Master's Hand".And many a man with life out of tune, And battered and scattered with sin, Is auctioned off cheap to the thoughtless crowd, Much like the old violin. A "mess of pottage," a glass of wine;A game -- and he travels on. He's "going" once, and "going" twice, He's "going" and "almost gone." But the Master comes and the foolish crowdNever can quite understandThe worth of a soul and the change that's wroughtBy "The Touch of the Master's Hand". ~Myra Brooks Welch~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THE EMPTY CHAIRAn old man's daughter had asked the local priest to come and pray with her father, who was ill and bed-ridden. When the priest arrived, he found the man lying in bed with his head propped up on two pillows and an empty chair beside his bed. The priest assumed that the old fellow had been informed of his visit. "I guess you were expecting me," he said. "No, who are you?" replied to old man.  "I'm the new associate priest at your parish," the priest replied. "When I saw the empty chair, I figured you knew I was going to show up."      "Oh yeah, the chair," said the bedridden man. "Would you mind closing the door?" Puzzled, the priest shut the door.  "I've never told anyone this, not even my daughter," said the man. "But all of my life I have never known how to pray. At the Sunday Mass I used to hear the priest talk about prayer, but it always went right over my head. I abandoned any attempt at prayer," the old man continued, "until one day, about four years ago, my best friend said to me, "Joe, prayer is just a simple matter of having a conversation with Jesus. Here's what I suggest. Sit down on a chair, place an empty chair in front of you, and, in faith, see Jesus on the chair. It's not spooky because He promised, 'I'll be with you always.' Then just speak to Him and listen in the same way you're doing with me right now."      "So, Father, I tried it and I've liked it so much that I do it a couple of hours every day. I'm careful, though. If my daughter saw me talking to an empty chair, she'd either have a nervous breakdown or send me off to the funny farm."       The priest was deeply moved by the story and encouraged the old guy to continue on the journey. Then he prayed with him, anointed him with oil, and returned to the rectory. Two nights later the daughter called to tell the priest that her daddy had died that afternoon. "Did he seem to die in peace?" he asked. "Yes, when I left the house around two o'clock, he called me over to his bedside, told me one of his corny jokes, and kissed me on the cheek. When I got back from the store an hour later, I found him dead. But there was something strange Father. In fact, beyond strange -- kinda weird. Apparently, just before Daddy died, he leaned over and rested his head on the empty chair beside his bed." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

MY FATHER'S EYES This teenager lived alone with his father, and the two of them had a very Special relationship. Even though the son was always on the bench, his Father was always in the stands cheering. He never missed a game. This young Man was still the smallest of the class when he entered high school. But his father continued to encourage him but also made it very clear that he did not have to play football if he didn't want to. But the young man loved Football and decided to hang in there. He was determined to try his best at every practice, and perhaps he'd get to play when he became a senior. All through high school he never missed a practice nor a game, but remained a bench warmer all four years. His faithful father was always in the stands, Always with words of encouragement for him. When the young man went to College, he decided to try out for the football team as a "walk-on." Everyone was sure he could never make the cut, but he did. The coach admitted that he kept him on the roster because he always puts his heart and soul into every practice and, at the same time, provided the other members with the spirit and hustle they badly needed. The news that he had survived the cut thrilled him so much that he rushed to the nearest phone and called his father. His father shared his excitement and was sent season tickets for all the college games. This persistent young athlete never missed practice during his four years at college, but he never got to play in the game. It was the end of his senior football season, and as he trotted onto the practice field shortly before the big play off game, the coach met him with a Telegram. The young man read the telegram and became deathly silent. Swallowing hard, he mumbled to the coach, "My father died this morning. Is It all right if I miss practice today?" The coach put his arm gently around His shoulder and said, "Take the rest of the week off, son. And don't even plan to come to the game on Saturday." Saturday arrived, and the game was not going well. In the third quarter, when the team was ten points behind, a silent young man quietly slipped into the empty locker room and put on his football gear. As he ran onto the sidelines, the coach and his players were astounded to see their faithful teammate back so soon. "Coach, please let me play. I've just got to play today," said the young man. The coach pretended not to hear him. There was no way he wanted his worst player in this close playoff game. But the young man persisted, and finally, feeling sorry for the kid, the coach gave in. "All right," he said. "You can go in." Before long, the coach, the players and everyone in the stands could not believe their eyes. This little unknown, who had never played before was doing everything right. The opposing team could not stop him. He ran, he passed, blocked and tackled like a star. His team began to triumph. The score was soon tied. In the closing seconds of the game, the kid intercepted a pass and ran all the way for the winning touchdown. The fans broke loose. His teammates hoisted him onto their shoulders. Such cheering you've never heard! Finally, after the stands had emptied and the team had showered and left the locker room, the coach noticed that the young man was sitting quietly in the corner all alone. The coach came to him and said, "Kid, I can't believe it. You were fantastic! Tell me what got into you? How did you do it?" He looked at the coach, with tears in his eyes, and said. "Well, you knew my dad died, but did you know that my dad was blind?" The young man swallowed hard and forced a smile, "Dad came to all my games, but today was the first time he could see me play, and I wanted to show him I could do it!"