During the waning years of the depression in a small southeastern Idaho community, I used to stop by Mr. Miller’s roadside stand for farm-fresh produce as the season made it available. Food and money were still extremely scarce and bartering was used, extensively.

One particular day Mr. Miller was bagging some early potatoes for me. 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 and the ragged boy next to me.

”Hello Barry, how are you today?”

”H’lo, Mr. Miller. Fine, thank ya. Jus’ admirin’ them peas...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 to take some home?”

”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.”

”Here ‘tis. She’s a dandy.”

”I can see that. Hmmmm, only thing is this one is blue and I sort of go for red. Do you have a red one like this at home?”

”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.”

”Sure will. Thanks, Mr. Miller.”

Mrs. Miller, who had been standing nearby, came over to help me. With a smile she said: “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, perhaps.”

I left the stand, smiling to myself, impressed with this man. A short time later I moved to Colorado but I never forgot the story of this man, the boys and their bartering. 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 viewing that evening and knowing my friends wanted to go, I agreed to accompany them. Upon our 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 ...very professional looking. They approached Mrs. Miller, standing smiling and composed, 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 stand by the coffin and remember this special man. There in the coffin was something others would have thought strange but it meant everything to me and to Mr. Miller’s family. There.. laying beside this wonderful man were three, magnificently shiny, red marbles.

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.

Author unknown

Make Your Life Count..

There are a lot of people who are in the world who need someone to care.  Someone to reach out to them and show a little love. Sometimes, that is all it takes to make all the difference in the world, in somebody’s life. It is amazing the impact of caring makes on people’s lives. When someone goes beyond the ordinary and shows a little love, compassion, has a caring attitude, it can change people’s lives. 

God brings people into our lives, everyday, that are hurting and need someone to help. Many times, all they need is someone to believe in them, someone to say a kind word, someone to show them that they are valued and loved.

We can’t all be ministers or missionaries, few of us will ever change the world through our creativity or genius but we can make this world a better place by loving people, encouraging others and reaching out to people who need a little help in fulfilling their purpose in this life. 

Make a difference.. Show someone you care, encourage someone to reach for the stars, reach out and give someone a hand up and watch the world begin to change.