A Gift

Our tree, taken with my new lens. Totally not connected to anything written below. I just needed a picture =)

This afternoon I was touched by a thoughtful gift from a stranger.

Even though hours have passed I can still feel the hug we shared when I said thank you. And see the tears in her eyes as she hurriedly walked away from us. I would love to know her story. Why she blessed us like she did.

I had taken the boys to Walmart to pick up more clementines - Walmart has the best price on them and they taste amazing. I have spent $32 on clementines in the last few weeks. We all love them and it's one of those little special things I've decided I'll just attempt to keep on hand this season.

So anyway. Walmart. On our way to get clementines I took a detour to the Christmas aisles. We walked up and down the aisles simply looking. When we got to the singing/dancing stuffed animal section the boys asked me to play one for them. So I did. And then I played another. And another.

The singing/dancing animals are quite clever and the boys were thoroughly delighted. They were laughing, dancing and singing along with the songs and anyone who happened to walk down the aisle would stop and smile at them, laugh with them and a couple even twirled a little dance for the boys.

I enjoyed the moment, watching the boys so completely enamored with the singing and dancing and before I knew it thirty minutes had passed. A well dressed lady who had been at the far end of the aisle for quite a while came closer and started talking with the boys and myself about the stuffed animals. After standing with us for awhile she told me she wanted to buy them each their own stuffed toy - which two would the boys like the best?

I couldn't believe the kindness of a stranger, wanting to treat my children to something they were so obviously enjoying. It touched me deeply.

She didn't tell me much about herself, but as we were heading to the checkout together she told me she wanted to buy it for me as there weren't many people who would stand with their children and just enjoy the singing stuffed animals. And that she liked that.

And that was the true gift. Those words encouraged me. She was like a personal cheerleader, in the middle of Walmart, saying You Go Mom. Treasure Your Children. Enjoy Them. Enjoy What They Enjoy.

It was special.

And I love that every Christmas when we pull out our Jingle Bell singing, ear waging dog and Jingle Bell singing, fake snow whirling something-or-other I will always be reminded of the kindness of stranger and her gift of encouragement and the gentle reminder to just enjoy the children enjoying what they enjoy.

Oh, and sorry to anyone who might head to our Walmart to buy a dancing singing stuffed animal. We kindasortamaybe drained the batteries on a couple if them.

Sharing the story of the gift on Tuesdays Unwrapped.