THANKSGIVING INSPIRATION AT THE BIG BOX

Give the gift of gratitude this year.

Photo by Michael Hanscom

I didn’t even bother getting out of the car. I was in a hurry and apparently it was the day that our local nursing home brought a bus full of its seniors to Wal-Mart. Exacerbated by the last minute Thanksgiving shoppers, traffic was inching along with folks scouting for parking spots…as scarce as turkeys’ teeth. Since the rain had finally stopped I could have the window down.  My attention was drawn toward the door by the familiar ringing of a Salvation Army volunteer who was waiting for someone to notice him and drop something into his kettle.

“I need to do that soon,” and “wonder if I have enough to share,” and “what a thankless job,” thoughts surfaced.  With that, I noticed a bowed little man who appeared to be nearing the century mark as he emerged from the store.  Dressed rather like Mr. Rogers on a tattered day, he shuffled slowly toward the man with the bell.  Finally able to extract his worn wallet from a back pocket, he fumbled thoughtfully through its contents.  From where I was stopped, I could barely make out the folded bill he raised triumphantly into the air.  But what I did see clearly was the joy on his face as he placed his offering in the waiting pot.

He gave me a gift, too. I may spend Thursday at a table full of food, surrounded by a loving family.  But in my preparations for that special day – indeed the entire holiday season - I’ll reflect on how grateful I am to have seen a shining example of unselfed giving.

Without even being aware of it, my new “friend” has reminded me how thankful I am that there are people like this to love and care and inspire us all.

And how grateful I am for parents who slow down enough to see, appreciate, and share these life lessons with their children.  They’re making the world a better place – one moment at a time.

Christie Clarke
2012