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 ssaid, "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 toColorado, 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 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.

IT'S NOT WHAT YOU GATHER, BUT WHAT YOU SCATTER THAT TELLS WHAT KIND OF

LIFE YOU HAVE LIVED!

-tpc!