HEAVEN'S GROCERY STORE

As I was walking down life's highway many years ago,
I came upon a sign that read Heavens Grocery Store.

When I got a little closer the doors swung open wide, And when I came to myself I was standing inside.

I saw a host of angels. They were standing everywhere
One handed me a basket and said "My child shop with care."

Everything a human needed, was in that grocery store
And what you could not carry you could come back for more.

First I got some Patience, Love was in that same row.
Further down was Understanding, you need that everywhere you go.

I got a box or two of Wisdom and Faith a bag or two.
And Charity of course I would need some of that too.

I couldn't miss the Holy Ghost, it was all over the place.
And then some Strength and Courage to help me run this race.
My basket was getting full but I remembered I needed Grace.

And then I chose Salvation for it was for free,
I tried to get enough of that to do for you and for me.

Then I started to the counter to pay my grocery bill,
For I thought I had everything to do the Masters will.

As I went up the aisle I saw Prayer and put that in,
For I knew when I stepped outside I would run into sin.

Peace and Joy were plentiful,the last things on the shelf,
Song and Praise were hanging near so I just helped myself.

Then I said to the angel "Now how much do I owe?
"He smiled and said"Just take them everywhere you go."

Again I asked "Really now, How much do I owe?"
"My child" he said,"God paid your bill a long long time ago."

My Beautiful Stranger


As the blog says ‘die to live’; the conversation I thought about yesterday, makes it true. Especially when you die to love rather live…. You actually live.

This is a banter talk between 2 strangers…
hmmmm ‘STRANGERS’???

Amrita waiting for a friend (invited on a birthday party.)
Hi!
Amrita - Do I know you?
No I guess.
Amrita - So why did you say, Hi!
Because I don’t know you.
Amrita - Oh! Really! So what do you say to those whom you know?
Hi! How are you?
Amrita - What???
No reply… (A little smile)
Amrita - Will you please excuse me, this table is booked.
I know. The table is not mine… Don’t worry!
Amrita - (Angrily)... But I’m waiting for my friends... we have a party.
It’s Ok. I know I’m not invited.
Amrita - Give me a break!
I’m sorry I don’t have a kit-kat. (Chocolate)
Amrita - (Angrily waving her hair away)… (Silently: ‘weird guy’)
Excuse me…!!! (Shouted)
Amrita - What?
Nothing, I was calling the waiter... (Orders a coffee)… Will u have some?
Amrita - No thanks... (Sluggishly)
Beautiful flowers! Can I take one? I think my girl friend will like it.
Amrita - Don’t dare to touch them. It’s a birthday present.
(Silence for sometime)
I come here everyday, after work.
Amrita - So???
Nothing I do work…I think you….!!
Amrita - What do you mean??
I mean you are not from this place… I think!!
Amrita - Yes very much I am! I have been working in Salujas for past 3 yrs.
Oh! That’s a nice boutique. Do you guys have men’s suits? I was just planning to gift it to my father. Do you think he’ll like it?
Amrita - No.
You mean it’s not a right gift?
Amrita - No I mean I don’t know... How should I know?
It means you have never gifted anything to men? I understand…
Amrita - Yes I have, but why the hell should I tell you?
Is it hard to tell? I know women can never make choices.
Amrita - Oh! So u mean you know what women want?
Yes I do... See I have been sitting here and understanding you… and probably I did. I know what you want.
Amrita - How can you say that? You don’t even know who I am.
See, you don’t want to talk to me... correct?
Amrita - Exactly!!
And you don’t want me to stay here. Right?
Amrita - Yeah!! You are so very right! (exasperate)
See I know you inside out now. And I haven’t told you how beautiful you are. Did I?
Amrita - (quiet…A little smile.)
Don’t think I’m trying to impress you, coz most women are not as young as they are painted. Yes but I have to say, that you are.
Amrita - I’m not painted!!
Yes I know... young girls are never painted. And I know you hate me for this, still you liked the compliment...
Amrita - (Smile stopped - a stare)
But you don’t know anything about me…
Amrita - Not interested.
I know you are not. That is why I said women do not know what they want... Those who like me are beautiful too.
Amrita - Those girls must be fools.
Exactly... that’s why they are beautiful.
Amrita - What do you mean? I am beautiful and I have brains. (Frustrate)
See now I know you better. Thanks for telling me that you are an exception and I am exceptional.

By this time Upasna arrived.
(wishing each other)
Hi! Amrita!
Hi!
Upasna pointing towards the guy - Oh so you have reached before me…Amrita meet my brother... 'Jimmy'; it’s his birthday today. Jimmy she’s Amrita.
Hi Amrita! Glad to see you... (A smile...)
Amrita - Happy birthday (mumbled) (presenting the bouquet to him)
Thanks! And that’s for you. (Picking one of the roses and presenting back to her.)

Upasna still confused for what they both were smiling at.

Few days later Amrita was invited with family; on her engagement with Jimmy.

My Beautiful Stranger..................Continued...

Never thought about this… someone with whom I had few pep talks, a teasing session; would be sitting next to me, wearing my token of love in her finger…smiling with me, for me.
Beautiful big eyes, welcoming eyelashes, apple cheeks, stunningly beautiful.

Above all, I could see everyone happy about it. Something what’s usually seen happening in the entertainment world of showbiz. For me an absolute fantasy.

I was never as nervous, as I was today. All that started with engaging talks, now to stay forever, into ‘life’, ‘dreams’, ‘reality’. Positive and realistic. Truth of my life, truth I never dreamt of.

‘Could I hear the breeze?’... ‘Could I ever touch the Rose petals?’... ‘Could I feel the willows in the dark…’ the senseless sense, the breathless breath?’

Never thought “I”, I would be thinking this way.

It was so easy and fun the first time. Now… unexplained, strange, beautiful: completely mesmerizing.

I always thought I was one chill, practical guy; never to fall into or to hear, the glowing beats of love. Something that started as a droll: now a part of me; my soul, my identity.Everything happened so fast, so sudden… it was just like an illusion, a mirage.

It was the evening of my engagement. Home packed with guests, friends, relatives… everyone attired in the best; music, food and fun. I would say a 'good confusion' all around.

(The ceremony had happened and it was almost the time for her to leave.)

'These beautiful lines’ would change... were destined for me.‘Isn’t all this imagination...?’ … unseen, unusual, charismatic; best thing that could ever happen to a coffee…!

(A smile as she sipped out of my cup…”my cup”... ‘Flower girl’, holding my cup)

She was holding the coffee and I, her hand; couldn’t let it go, could not even think of that.The most beautiful hand I’ve ever held... all its routes, directing to me, directing me to her. I fear letting it go…

I touched her palm with my finger… The Head Line slants horizontally across the palm and was above the Life line; but my eyes stuck in the middle… I felt the sense of being there; I could sense, walking on, with her. The hand that touched me… my life… with a bouquet…

Suddenly a whisper; I could feel it so strongly, a breath of fresh love, clouds, breeze, melody tuned to nature. I couldn’t realize till it stuck again.

Amrita: what are you searching Mr. Astrologer?

My Life…(I thought)For what reason, was she smiling? My words I was holding, or my cold hands... or was that she could see her small hands disappearing in mine?

I couldn’t say anything but I could see her hands slipping away... I was afraid… and she left smiling. I could see her leaving as if she would never come back…

Amrita: Wait for me, I’ll be right back (a smile again)

Don’t… (A scared & shredded voice; it was the only thing I could say, as I sat back in the car)

Amrita: what happened? I’ll be right back.

A brave heart which was brave enough to speak to a stranger for the first time; now lean, weak, scared than ever before. Isn’t it supposed to be the other way round? Sometimes it’s so difficult to let go of what you achieve, what you have.

Suddenly I heard the footsteps… steps to my heart.
Her small hands disappeared as she carried some snacks.

Amrita: Have it!

I was quiet.

I felt strong and calm as she sat beside me. I just wanted to admire that lucky charm. She was busy munching the meal and I, looking at her. I felt so powerful, so strong, and so imaginative about the truth beside me.

The reality that was so real that it felt like a dream.

A dream, come true.

And I was scared. Scared to let her go and let the beautiful dream be over.

She had been living only few miles away… but, she was carrying along, million smiles away.
She looked calm, cool and carefree. Strange but everything was so casual, so conventional for her.

Suddenly we heard my mom’s call. Everybody was leaving.
I knew… it was the time. Time for her to leave: leave as if, she'll never come back.
My head stopped thinking further; everybody was leaving gracefully, happily.

She sat beside her sister in the back seat, as her father drove away. I couldn’t see her leaving, it was so intricate … There was no turning back. I could see as the sedan moved away…it was fading away as my family left back into the house.

My eyes still stuck on the sedan...suddenly I saw a face turning at me. Face I could never forget. Visage… speechless, pale and bleak. Tears I couldn’t bear, but I could see; till the shadow disappeared in the woods.

Bit by bit I stroll towards my room; lonely, cheerless, poignant.

As I took the weight of my feet, I saw a flash light under a cushion. A message flashing on the phone screen… footprints flashing forever.

Dearest Jim,
I couldn't see myself leaving you, I couldn’t see you cry. I can't see myself without you.
Missing you already.
You are a reason to smile… reason to live.
Yours Forever…

Here's my poem for those who beautify the yard of friendship;

I have titled it as

'God's Prayer.'

In the tiny petal, of a tiny flower, that grew from a tiny pod;
Is the miracle, and the mystery - the creation of God.
My garden beautifies my yard, and add fragrance to the air;
But it is also my cathedral, and my quiet place of prayer.
So little do we realize, that the glory and the power;
Of him who made the universe, lie hidden in the flower!

When I looked at this flower, I was looking at God;
For it bloomed in his sun, grew in his sod.
And this lovely flower was a voice from above, That whispered a message of kindness and love... For I feel in my heart, and I know, YOU do too;
That God speaks to us all, through the kind things we do.

And when I looked at You- The Flower, I couldn’t help but feel,
That YOU bought the heaven nearer, and made God so real...
This life became a garden for me, and your love - A Flower,
That blooms and grows to beauty, with the sunshine and the shower...
And lovely are the blossoms, that are tended with great care.
By those who work unselfishly, to make the garden more fair...

And like the garden blossoms, Love’s flower grows sweet.
When watched and tended carefully, by the one we know and meet...
And if the seed of love is planted deep and true and watched with understanding;

Love’s flower will bloom for you.