Welcome to Donna's
Inspirational Thanksgiving!

horn of plenty

Now Playing:

*Prayer of Saint Francis*


Thank you, Rose,
for sending me this beautiful, thought provoking,
inspirational poem, at a time when I needed it most!


The Most Beautiful Flower
by Cheryl Costello-Forshey
flower
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.

park bench

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!"

boy with flower

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."

wilted flower


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 mid-air 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 like 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.

birds flying dove


*The Most Beautiful Flower*
was written by Cheryl Costello-Forshey
copyright © 1998
Cannot be copied or reproduced in any form
without the written consent of the author.
Find it in published books.
Thank you, Cheryl! What a blessing!


*Prayer of Saint Francis*
The Lyrics

The Miracle
My own true story

Thanksgiving Grace
Prayer Poems for any occasion

Claim Your Blessing
Ten reasons to give thanks



More on this Site:

Donna's Holiday Sentiments
Home Page - Site Map
or choose an animated holiday below:








Page views
from Sept 27, 2000: