[CAPTAINZING2000]

Gratitude

“Thanks for stopping by,” he said with a big, gap-toothed smile. I smiled back and continued on my way. How could that old flower-cart owner be so cheerful? All I ever did was stop and look at his flowers during my rush to work. I had been passing his cart for over a year now and still hadn’t bought a single flower. Yet, everyday I got that same cheerful smile and simple thank you.

The next day I decided I’d finally buy a bunch of carnations for my desk and see how the man treated me after a purchase. “Thanks for stopping by,” was his sole response, along with that big gap-toothed smile. I couldn’t resist any longer and asked him, “Why do you thank me for stopping every day when I never make a purchase?” He looked at me for a moment and said, “Everybody that stops and admires my flowers makes me glad of what I do. I try to bring some cheer into this busy world and when someone stops to look, I feel I’ve done a good job.”

“Thanks for being here,” was my smiling response as I hurried on to work.

"The values we live by are worth more when we pass them on...."