It was a cold and cloudy December night four years ago.
Only two more days remained until Christmas, and I had run out of supplies to
wrap a few last gifts. I hurried into the dollar store, taking my umbrella
along since it seemed the sky would start dumping freezing rain at any moment. While browsing amongst the remaining selection of gift wrap and bows, I noticed
a mother with her two children- a boy who looked to be around eight years old,
and a girl who seemed to be about ten. As the young girl picked up a little snowman, I overheard her commenting to her brother, “This will be the
perfect gift for Becky- she will love it! I only have five more people on my list now!”
After wandering around the store for half an hour, I finally decided on my own purchases and headed toward the register. As it happened, I was
in line behind the girl and her family. While the
cashier was ringing up the mother's items, she asked him if the store had any job openings. Her
young son immediately piped up in protest. “Mom, you already have a job!” he said. “I know,” the mom
responded, “but we could really use some extra money right now.” The cashier handed her an application, but told
her there were no positions available at the moment. After her transaction, she
took her son towards the front door where they stood and looked out the window
at the rain that had just begun to fall.
Her daughter was still in line in front of me. She smiled brilliantly as the
cashier rang up each item she had so carefully chosen. She had her allowance in
hand to pay for them, and she was overflowing with excitement. Finally the
cashier said, “That will be eleven dollars and seventy-seven cents.” The young
girl’s face melted into disbelief. She was more than a dollar short, and she
had been so careful to pick just the right presents for everyone. Whose present
would she put back? Her disappointment was terribly sad to see, and that’s when
I knew I had to take action.
The mother never noticed the girl’s dilemma as she and her son waited at the front door looking out the window. I quickly told the cashier I wanted to take care of the girl’s purchase, and asked her to add an umbrella to the tab. The little girl simply stared at me in disbelief. Not wanting her to feel uncomfortable, I said, “Hey, Christmas is all about giving. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas, and I am sure everyone will love the gifts you picked for them.”
As
I finished paying for her things and my wrapping paper, the girl ran and gave
her mother the umbrella at the front door. The mom had tears in her eyes as her
daughter told her what had just transpired. She mouthed a silent “thank you” as
she and her kids huddled under the umbrella and turned to walk out into the
parking lot. As they were departing, the little girl turned around and said with
conviction, “I wish I knew someone like you!” She waved goodbye and the family exited into
the cold and rainy darkness.
I do
not tell this story to highlight a good deed. I tell this story because it has
made an incredible impact on my life, and not a Christmas goes by that I don’t
think about it and feel like I was the fortunate one to be in line behind that
sweet child.
Even though I didn’t have a lot of money to spare, what a
difference eleven dollars and seventy-seven cents made to one struggling family
that night. I believe one day that little girl will grow up and do the same for
another person in need. Christmas truly is all about giving, and I can say that
I’ve never felt more blessed than in that moment. I hope this story inspires
you to do what you can to help someone else this season. Happy giving!
Originally published in my column, "The Upside," in the Ellijay Times-Courier.
