Yesterday I was doing my holiday baking and one of my ingredients had gone bad. I rushed up to the Vons grocery store while the oven was still preheating, hoping to just run in and run out. On my way out, an attractive woman in her late 30s ringing the bell for the Salvation Army kettle was trying to hide her eyes from me. She was crying, hard. I asked if she was OK and she just said, "I hate when people make you cry."
I figured someone had made some snide comment to her, given how bad things remain for many here. I also knew from seeing her several times now that she isn't bringing in much money, so maybe she was tired of so much rejection. I asked what happened and she said that a woman had just gone by and asked when her last day was. She said tomorrow (Christmas Eve) and burst out crying because she was going to miss the volunteer job and seeing now-familiar faces. The kettle-bell-ringing had been the only thing to pull her out of a deep depression after a string of heavy losses (job, house, husband...in that order) this year.
I told her, "God bless you for being here" and hurried to my car, where I burst into tears myself.
14 comments:
Ann - I would have been crying too. Merry Christmas and thanks for a great story.
Rolly
Anne, that is just so sad, we are truly blessed. I know I often take for granted the many, many things I am able to do and the many things I have.
You just never know how you touch peoples lives, maybe you gave her the warmth of a conversation to help her keep going.
Yes, we are blessed for all that we have. Have a Merry Christmas and I hope your baking went well.
Louise Says...Anne, life is all about perspective...we think it can't get much worse, but someone always has it worse than ourselves.
Merry Christmas Anne! Yes, Rolly would have been crying too, he along with myself got a little misty eyed reading this.
Wow, what a story....bless her, my heart hurts for her and the current reality for millions of folks. Have a blessed Christmas time.
Wow, it really shows how volunteering for others can make a difference. I'm sad for her, but glad too, that giving of herself lifted her out of depression. I hope she finds something to keep it going. And, you are right, our blessings are many.
Oh my, Anne. Blessed be those who give unto others, and maybe with the historic vote today, Americans finally are going to give to one another.
Amen! We are so blessed and often don't even realize how much. Merry Christmas!!
This story came to mind yesterday and today! It kept reminding me that we are all struggling in one way or another and this is a very hard time for some, despite what we're shown and told over and over! Thanks for sharing!
Wow, thank you for sharing this story. I can't imagine handling loss of those proportions. She is a pretty amazing person to take solace from the bell-ringing and people around her. Now I'm worried for her too! But at the same time, it's inspiring to hear of her handling her difficulties - like if she can make it through such a tough time, I should certainly be able to handle my own piddley problems. It definitely gives one some perspective!
Wow!
Wow.
I am sure you're even asking her what was wrong also helped her. Don't doubt that.
Thank you for reminding me also how important it is to volunteer. (I did that at our food pantry a week or two ago, and it's bad on this end too. 116 families/singles, within a 3 hour period. The line never stopped.)
Oh my - that is a very powerful 'count your blessings' message. It was really kind of you to notice her distress and show her you cared.
Thank you for sharing this story. It really puts everything in perspective.
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