-----Original Message-----


> The park bench was deserted as I
> sat down to read
>
> Beneath the long, straggly
> branches of an old willow tree
>
> Disillusioned by life with good
> reason to frown,
>
> For the world was intent on
> dragging me down.
>
> And if that weren't enough to
> ruin my day,
>
> A young boy out of breath
> approached me, all tired from play.
>
> He stood right before me with his
> head tilted down
>
> And said with great excitement,
> "Look what I found!"
>
> In his hand was a flower, and
> what a pitiful sight,
>
> With its petals all worn - not
> enough rain, or too little light.
>
> Wanting him to take his dead
> flower and go off to play,
>
> I faked a small smile and then
> shifted away.
>
> But instead of retreating he sat
> next to my side
>
> And placed the flower to his nose
> And declared with overacted surprise,
>
> "It sure smells pretty and it's
> beautiful, too.
>
> That's why I picked it; here,
> it's for you."
>
> The weed before me was dying or
> dead.
>
> Not vibrant of colors: orange,
> yellow or red.
>
> But I knew I must take it, or he
> might never leave.
>
> So I reached for the flower, and
> replied, "Just what I need."
>
> But instead of him placing the
> flower in my hand,
>
> He held it midair without reason
> or plan.
>
> It was then that I noticed for
> the very first time
>
> That weed-toting boy could not
> see: he was blind.
>
> I heard my voice quiver; tears
> shone in the sun
>
> As I thanked him for picking the
> very best one.
>
> "You're welcome," he smiled, and
> then ran off to play,
>
> Unaware of the impact he'd had on
> my day.
>
> I sat there and wondered how he
> managed to see
>
> A self-pitying woman beneath an
> old willow tree.
>
> How did he know of my
> self-indulged plight?
>
> Perhaps from his heart, he'd been
> blessed with true sight.
>
> Through the eyes of a blind
> child, at last I could see
>
> The problem was not with the
> world; the problem was me.
>
> And for all of those times I
> myself had been blind,
>
> I vowed to see the beauty in
> life,
>
> And appreciate every second
> that's mine.
>
> And then I held that wilted
> flower up to my nose
>
> And breathed in the fragrance of
> a beautiful rose
>
> And smiled as I watched that
> young boy,
>
> Another weed in his hand,
>
> About to change the life of an
> unsuspecting old man
>
> If this message has inspired you,
> or touched you in anyway
>
> or if you feel that it can
> brighten up someone else's day,
> please forward it.
>
> (Author Unknown)
>

Deborah Wisti-Peterson email:nyneve at u.washington.edu
Department of Zoology, University of Washington, Seattle, Wash, USA
Visit me on the web: http://students.washington.edu/~nyneve/
<><><>Graduate School: it's not just a job, it's an indenture!<><><>