FReeper Canteen ~ Sunday Chapel ~ THE WOMAN WITH THE ROSE ~ 02 September 2018

Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World !! | The Canteen Crew

[Kathy in Alaska]

 

 

 

THE WOMAN WITH THE ROSE

John Blanchard stood up from the bench, straightened his Army uniform, and studied the crowd of people making their way through Grand Central Station. He looked for the girl whose heart he knew, but whose face he didn't, the girl with the rose. His interest in her had begun thirteen months before in a Florida library. Taking a book off the shelf he found himself intrigued, not with the words of the book, but with the notes penciled in the margin. The soft handwriting reflected a thoughtful soul and insightful mind. In the front of the book, he discovered the previous owner's name, Miss Hollis Maynell. With time and effort he located her address. She lived in New York City.

He wrote her a letter introducing himself and inviting her to correspond. The next day he was shipped overseas for service in World War II. During the next year and one month the two grew to know each other through the mail. Each letter was a seed falling on a fertile heart. A romance was budding.

Blanchard requested a photograph, but she refused. She felt that if he really cared, it wouldn't matter what she looked like. When the day finally came for him to return from Europe, they scheduled their first meeting...7:00 PM at the Grand Central Station in New York. "You'll recognize me," she wrote, "by the red rose I'll be wearing on my lapel."

So at 7:00 he was in the station looking for a girl whose heart he loved, but whose face he'd never seen. I'll let Mr. Blanchard tell you what happened:

A young woman was coming toward me, her figure long and slim. Her blonde hair lay back in curls from her delicate ears; her eyes were blue as flowers. Her lips and chin had a gentle firmness, and in her pale green suit she was like springtime come alive. I started toward her, entirely forgetting to notice that she was not wearing a rose. As I moved, a small, provocative smile curved her lips. "Going my way, sailor?" she murmured. Almost uncontrollably I made one step closer to her, and then I saw Hollis Maynell. She was standing almost directly behind the girl.

A woman well past 40, she had graying hair tucked under a worn hat.. She was more than plump, her thick-ankled feet thrust into low-heeled shoes. The girl in the green suit was walking quickly away. I felt as though I was split in two, so keen was my desire to follow her, and yet so deep was my longing for the woman whose spirit had truly companioned me and upheld my own. And there she stood. Her pale, plump face was gentle and sensible, her gray eyes had a warm and kindly twinkle. I did not hesitate. My fingers gripped the small worn blue leather copy of the book that was to identify me to her. This would not be love, but it would be something precious, something perhaps even better than love, a friendship for which I had been and must ever be grateful. I squared my shoulders and saluted and held out the book to the woman, even though while I spoke I felt choked by the bitterness of my disappointment. "I'm Lieutenant John Blanchard, and you must be Miss Maynell. I am so glad you could meet me; may I take you to dinner?"

The woman's face broadened into a tolerant smile. "I don't know what this is about, son," she answered, "but the young lady in the green suit who just went by, she begged me to wear this rose on my coat. And she said if you were to ask me out to dinner, I should go and tell you that she is waiting for you in the big restaurant across the street. She said it was some kind of test!"

It's not difficult to understand and admire Miss Maynell's wisdom. The true nature of a heart is seen in its response to the unattractive. "Tell me whom you love," Houssaye wrote, "and I will tell you who you are."

 

[Kathy in Alaska]

Hi, Pro...you are welcome. A Blessed Lord’s Day to you and yours.

Did you have a good work week? Nice weather?

Today was sunny and warm...quite the change from the overcast days of the last couple weeks.

[radu]

Well howdy do, Conor! *HUGZ*

I hope you’re starting to feel a little more chipper these days.

[ConorMacNessa]

Good evening, Radu!

*HUGS*

A Blessed Lord's Day to you and yours!

"Dia shábháil ar fad anseo!"

[PROCON]

Yo radu!

Our weather has cooled down, around 80 the last few days, very nice.

I went and visited son and Robin and the pups, the pups had haircuts yesterday and they all look clean and real cute.

Son and I are heading to the gun range tomorrow and then lunch, fun stuff.

Wassup with you?

[PROCON]

A nice cool down out here, Fall is in the air. No complaints, still warm enough but not blazing hot.

Enjoy your weather.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Luv, and a Blessed Lord’s Day to you and yours.

Thank you for the hymns.

[PROCON]

Hi Navy Bro, hope all is well with you and yours!

We Will Never Forget!

[luvie]

Hi, Kathy! You’re welcome! I hope you’re having a quiet restful weekend! (((hugs)))

[radu]

Oooooo, lucky you! Cooler temps! It’s still hot and steamy here though we did get a little rain this afternoon.

Sounds like you’ve had a good start to the weekend. Please tell me those poor pups didn’t have little colored ties put on their ears by the groomer. LOL!

Yay, you’re finally getting to head back to the gun range after it was postponed a few weeks back. I know you two will have a blast!

Sitting here with a massager working on my back, recuperating from wrestling a mannequin at the museum. Everything after her was easy but she got me pretty good. Still got the tote emptied out though. YAY! And another awaits next weekend’s attentions. Easy, easy items in that one and I’m ready to get to it.

[PROCON]

LOL, the 2 boy pups get little kerchiefs around their necks, one with baseballs on it and one with footballs, very topical, LOL, and the girl pup gets a new bow in her cropped up hair. I should take some pictures.

[radu]

Ah, ok. I thought all three were boys. Little kerchiefs work just fine.

Years ago, my parents had a miniature poodle and when he was groomed, he came home with blue bows on his ears. He’d hide behind the couch in embarrassment until one of us took those things off. LOL

YES! Pics of the lil cuties would be great!

[radu]

Howdy, LUV!

Hope you’ve had a nice day.
Have the kittens forgiven you yet for having a stranger around? LOL

[dsc]

If anybody would care to say a prayer for my son Joseph as he goes through Marine boot camp, I would be grateful.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thank you, Joseph, for your service to America.

Sending prayers for your safe completion of basic training.

[E.G.C.]

A very pleasant good Sunday morning and ((HUGS)) to everyone at the Canteen and to all our military at home and abroad. Thanks for your service to our country.

How's everyon this morning?

[radu]

Howdy, E.G.C. ((HUGZ))

Having a good weekend so far? Did you have a nice visit with your sister?

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good morning, E...((HUGS))...a Blessed Lord’s Day to you and yours.

Is Gizmo still learning to catch critters?

You and Gizmo have a great Sunday.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, Mac, for my favorite “crosses”.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good morning, radu...hope you had a great day at the museum. Your back letting you know it’s tired?

We had a sunny and warm day...really nice.

[E.G.C.]

We had a great visit with my sister on Thursday. Yesterday we went to our cousin's house where Gizmo enjoyed playing with Newt. Newt sure seemed to enjoy his company.

Today is Sonic Drive Inn Day. We also plan to go to the lake later this today.