Receiving in the Giving ...

 

 

A Christmas candle is a lovely thing;

it makes no noise at all,
but softly gives itself away;
while quite unselfish, it grows small.
~ Eva K. Logue

 

 

 

Again with the Wal-Mart lineup!  But on this occasion, I was blessed with the opportunity to make a difference.

It was one of those quick run to the store to pick up the last of  the trimmings.  Friends were coming for a Christmas social and the decor was just not complete.  Looking up at the clock, I noticed that I had just enough time to get home, fuss with the decor and set up the trays before everyone got there.  My foot started tapping.  I was taking stock of the number of people in the lineup as well as the number of items in their carts when an associate shows up with a trolley!  I was growing impatient by the moment. 

On the trolley was a large box containing a table and chairs as well as pretty yellow seat cushions with matching curtains. The customer's face was bright and her body language spoke to the excitement brewing inside. I smiled, remembering the first time I purchased furniture. There was a little boy looking up at his mom, clutching an action figure close to his chest. He quietly asked his mother if he could have it. She gently shook her head; without complaint, without a tear he quietly placed the box back on the shelf with obvious disappointment. Shoulders slumped, she thumbed through her money then began removing the cushions off her pile of treasurers; disappointment transferred. As I watched the exchange unfolding, I swallowed hard to fight the lump forming in my throat.

I picked up the box and asked if it would be okay if I purchased the doll for her son.  She thanked me but refused.  I quickly searched for a new approach.  I told a little white lie and offered that I would be purchasing a toy for the toy drive and would prefer to do so now and actually see the joy it brings.  She reconsidered and accepted. 

 

In order to facilitate the transaction, I moved ahead to run my purchases through.  The tired cashier's shoulders lifted and a smile brightened her face. 

I turned around and handed the box to the little boy of about six years old.  He beamed and wished me a Merry Christmas.  I got home a little earlier and a whole lot happier!