INSPIRING STORY OF THE WEEK – THE FLOWERS by Cheryl Stewart

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INSPIRING STORY OF THE WEEK

THE FLOWERS

by Cheryl Stewart

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This is the inspiring story of a woman who saw no boundaries between rich and poor, dark skinned and light.

She just wanted to make a real difference in people’s lives.

Lorene Rose was a woman with a pioneering spirit. She and her husband moved to Alaska well before it had become a state. Model perfect in every way, she never left home without her Coco Chanel red lipstick. She even appeared on a local TV show called “The Woman’s Touch” every Wednesday afternoon. Lorene was a socialite of sorts, involved in a number of active committees, but also found time to volunteer once a week at the Anchorage Visitor’s Center.

Every Thursday, while walking to her volunteer job at the Anchorage Visitors Center, Lorene Rose would pass a Native American woman sitting on a park bench. Inch by inch, during their weekly meetings, Lorene got to know this Athabaskan woman. Lorene asked for her name and learned it was Violet. At once Lorene brightened and told her that her own middle name was Rose. Without skipping a beat, she smiled and said, “You see, we already have something in common. Both our mothers decided to name their daughters after flowers.”

The woman became more comfortable when Lorene shared a confidence from her own life. Then, as they got to know one another better, Lorene encouraged this homeless woman to speak more openly about her own troubles. She finally convinced her new friend to take a big, brave step forward to resolve a family conflict. In return, Lorene Rose received a ten cent gift that she valued beyond all her jewels and furs.

Lorene’s daughter, Cheryl Stewart,  told this story at her mother’s funeral, hoping that its message would encourage others toward tolerance for people who might appear a bit different from ourselves.

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This story is now published in

Tales2Inspire ~ The Ruby Collection

Gifts of Compassion

BUY NOW

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