Kelly Gibbons, artist and writer, about me

Saturday, December 23, 2006

A Chritmas Story

Today, I was at the grocery store (something I dread doing), so as usual I was a bit grumpy. In the produce section, a little old man reached for a head of lettuce at the same time I did. When he grabbed his head, and a few more rolled out. We smiled at each other as we caught them, and stacked them back on the pile. Then, he looked at me and said, "It's a shame when this is the best part of your day."

I laughed a little and said, "Oh, I'm glad it's not mine. I don't like shopping." As soon as I said this I regretted it. He looked so sad.

"It doesn't feel like Christmas time. I don't even feel like getting spruced up anymore to get out and about," he said, and reached up to scratch his unshaven chin. "I usually shave before I go anywhere. I didn't even feel like even doing that today."

"I know, maybe it's the weather," I said, referring to our "heat-wave". "Hey, why not get all dressed up tomorrow? It might make you feel a little better."

"Yeah, maybe," he said, definitely not convinced. "This will be my first Christmas without my wife."

"I'm so, sorry to hear that. This is my first Christmas without my Grandpa. It's really hard. Do you have any children?" I asked.

"I have a boy, 32. He has cerebral palsy, though, and he acts about four, up here" he said tapping his head. I didn't know what to say. "And another boy. He's 29."

"Are you going to see him for Christmas?"

"Oh yes. I have them all with me. He helps me out a lot. I'm just down here getting our Christmas dinner. Ya know, I used to come down here every Saturday with my wife, and we'd get everything, but now, I don't even know..." his words trailed off and he started to walk away. "I'll get it all, I'm sure."

"I hope you have a nice Christmas."

"Oh, I will. This is just what life is. I'll be OK."

We both left smiling and wishing each other well, but I wished I had said more to him. I wanted to do more, but I really didn't know what to do.

I walked around the store, and for once, didn't have an awful time. I walked around feeling grateful that I was happy and healthy and able to buy a cart full of food for my family knowing we'd all be together to eat it and celebrate together. I felt grateful to have so much.

Right before I left the store, I ran into the man again. He was in the cologne aisle, buying some body wash and cologne. I imagined that he was going to "spruce himself up a bit", and I smiled. "You still here?" I said.

"Yep. I don't want to go home just yet, because they might make me do some work," he said, and laughed.

I really wanted to do something to brighten this man's Christmas a little, but I still couldn't figure out what to do. I walked around the store, looking for a small gift I could give him, but nothing seemed right. What do you give a stranger?

I finally found an ornament. It was an angel sitting in a treasure box, with the words "Love in a Box" written on the wrapping. I would give it to him and tell him that I had a feeling his wife was thinking about him, and wishing him a Merry Christmas from Heaven. I checked out, and then walked around the store to find him. I couldn't find him anywhere. He was gone. I was so disappointed that I couldn't give this lovely man his gift. I left and thought I would return the ornament later.

As I drove home, I decided I would keep the ornament, and hang it on my own tree. Every year, I will put it up, and remember the stranger that reminded me that giving the gift isn't important, it's the thought that counts.

Merry Christmas my friends. May your blessings be many and your troubles be few, and remember to relax and enjoy it all.

Speaking of blessings (Check out the cookies baked by my wonderful daughters, the best daughters a mom could ask for and the best cookie bakers, too! Life is good.)

posted by Kelly @ 12/23/2006 10:38:00 PM

1 Comments:

At December 24, 2006 3:35 PM, agk said…

Merry Christmas, my beautiful friend :)