It was Two Teenagers – Who Knew?

This is a story about my mother.

My mom lives in a smallish size town, in western Colorado. Grand Junction is a quaint place, hailed as the gateway to the Great Rocky Mountains. She has lived alone from more than 25 years and now resides in an adorable townhome she purchased about three or four years back which is located a half a block away from my sister.

Last week on Valentine’s Day she decided to pick up a last minute gift for a friend, a box of candy from the town’s famous candy maker, Enstroms, who is famous for their toffee and a few other delectable’s.

Mom went into the store and ambled around taking in the crowded counters decorated with hearts and every manner of sweet treats. She brushed by the patrons who were crowding close to the clerks as they worked quickly to fills orders.

Approaching a counter to purchase her gift, she lined up behind two teenage boys. My mom guessed the taller one to be about 19 years old and the shorter one around, 17. The boys were talking with the clerk when all of sudden, the clerk looked at my mom and stepped from behind the counter. My mom watched a tad bit confused but then the clerk said to her as she motioned with her hand in the boys general direction, “Look at what these boys are buying for their mother for Valentine’s Day.”

The boys stepped back a little from the counter, with a sheepish smile on their rugged face, and low and behold my mom spied the most beautifully displayed box of chocolate covered strawberries.

“Lynn, these strawberries were the size of baseballs and they were beautiful. I looked at the box of chocolate berries then up at the boys faces and I stared at these two teenagers. I couldn’t believe these kids were buying such an expensive and exquisite gift for their mother. It was wonderful,” mother told me on the phone later.

My mom said she smiled at the boys and mumbled something to the affect, “You are some very special boys and your mom is a very lucky mom.” Then my mom turned to the taller boy who was smiling from ear-to-ear, “Will you give me a hug?” she asked.

He immediately bent down to my mom’s small stature and hugged her. My mom whispered in his ear, “Thank you. I lost my son two years ago and your hug is a special kindness.” He squeezed her tighter.

My mom made her purchase, said goodbye to the boys and the store clerk and headed on her way. In the parking lot she heard, “Ma’am, Ma’am, wait just a minute.”

The younger boy was running after her. Breathless he said, “Ma’am, we want you to have these.” He held out the box of beautifully decorated chocolate covered strawberries he and his brother had purchased for their mother.

“Oh, no son. I can’t take these. They are for your mother.”

“Ma’ma, our Mom will get her own box.”

Hugs again.

My mother said to me over the phone later, “Lynn is was if God knew I needed that so badly and He blessed me with two strangers, –teenage boys. I don’t know their names and I will likely never see them again but I will never forget their kindness to an old woman they didn’t know.”

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Sometimes I think teenagers get such a bum rap. But, I hope this story inspires you to see some kid today with eyes of hope. There are some amazing kids in our world doing amazing things.

Also, this story has inspired me to think about the elderly and people who are alone in our world. God loves them and grieves over their loneliness. So today, reach out to your grandma or grandpa. Send them a card or call. If you don’t have grandparents, then an elderly parent or an elderly neighbor. I live right next door to a woman who lives alone, Mary. Today, I am baking a coffee cake and cutting a flower from my garden and taking it to her just because that is what Jesus would do.

Tell me about what the Lord is asking you to do to make someone feel loved by Him. Be blessed, Lynn

PS. After I hung up the phone with my mother. I walked into the family room where my daughter was on the couch. I repeated the story to her about the boys, grandma and the chocolate. My daughter smiled, just delighted with the story and said, “Mom, do you think we can call grandma and see if she can find these boys? Do you think one of them would marry me?” *grin*

All is right with the world!

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12 thoughts on “It was Two Teenagers – Who Knew?

  1. eph2810

    Thank you so much for sharing this marvelous encounter your mom had. The store made me tear up…

    Yes, teenagers do get a bad rap. Thank you for the reminder to reach out…

  2. debbie

    I cannot tell you how this story blessed me!! It literally brought me to tears. What a wonderful act of kindness and love that was…I agree teen-aged kids do often get a bad rap. And I agree with your daughter, sounds like good hubby material to me too.

  3. LaurieLAURIE

    What a wonderful story! Seems like God used two teen boys to minister to your Mom. God loves us so much, that He will even use Chocolate strawberries to convey His love!

  4. Noreen

    Dear Lynn, Absolutely love this story-what a blessing those boys gave your mom!
    Have a wonderful day my friend, praying for words to flow.
    Hugs, Noreen

  5. LindaLinda

    What a wonderful story Lynn. You have written so beautifully from your heart. I know that when my grown children take the time to call or visit my elderly parents it means more to them than I can possibly say.