The other day, Elias and I ran into the grocery store to make a quick purchase. I didn’t even bring in my purse. I just wanted to get in and out. Crossing the parking lot, I noticed a seemingly vagrant man loitering about the front door. He wore a camouflage jacket and balanced a big camping-type backpack on his back. He smiled at me and I smiled back but offered nothing. I had Eli by the hand and a $5 bill in my pocket.
Before I could even get entirely inside the store, Eli’s imagination was assaulted by the row of vending machines that held candy, gumballs, stickers, and various other assorted goodies, including Spiderman propaganda. 6-year old heaven. Of course, Eli in turn, assaulted me, gasping.
“Oh, wow. Mom, LOOK! Ahw my gosh, Mom, it’s Spiderman!” He paused only to inhale. “Mom, can I have a quarter, mom? Oh, please, mom. Look at that. Just one quarter, Mom? Please. I’m so serious.”
Eli has recently come to believe that if he is indeed serious about something, and tells us as much, it should be impossible for us to deny him. Alas, that is not necessarily the case.
“Eli, I’m so sorry, Sweetie, I have no change, no quarters. I don’t even have my purse. Maybe next time.”
I began internally calculating the purchases I had to make, trying to recall how much tax they add these days, and subtracting it from the sum total of $5 I had in my pocket to see if I could promise a stop by the Spiderman station on our way out. And then my peripheral vision allowed for a long, well-tanned forearm in a camouflage jacket coming seemingly out of nowhere, bearing a shiny, silver quarter.
“There ya go, Boy. A quarter.” It was, of course, the man I exchanged glances with on the way in. He beamed at both of us.
“Whoah, thanks!” Eli answered. And I chimed in with appreciation too, surprised, impressed, and humbled by his generosity.
That was something I really wasn't expecting, to say the least. A good old-fashioned surprise is nice every once in a while...
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3 comments:
That was a beautiful story. I had a similar experience.
I was on a bus and started looking for my bus pass. Then I realized I didn't have it. I told the bus driver he would have to let me off at the next stop where I could get some money and catch the next bus.
A man offered me a bus ticket and when I said I recognized him from somewhere and he looked like he might be homeless (I found out that he sells the street newspaper that low income people do) he said his name was George.
I asked him where he sells his papers and he told me (near a Quiznos) so I went by there too give him back the money the ticket cost. Also, once I knew where he was "stationed" I came with some steak leftovers I had. He was so grateful. It was nice to see.
If you see that man again, you should consider making him your special person to give to too. It feels so nice to be able to do that for such a selfless person.
I am about to join your blog. If you want to see mine it's at http://catstuff-carment.blogspot.com/
I find that children seem to bring out the best in people.
Things complete strangers have given my kids/me (completely unprompted):
stickers
quarters for laundry
big, genuine smiles
a stuffed teddy bear (I kid you not)
a gift certificate
help with groceries on numerous occasions
Of course, there will always be those with no comprehension of children who glare at you when your child misbehaves.
But they're the ones who are missing out.
Now that is totally cool and Not what I was expecting when I first started reading.
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