I'm working at the Role Models of America charity store while I'm home and yesterday a little lady (mid 60's) came in. She comes to me and whispers, "do you have a christmas tree I could buy for 20.00?" I said sure and led her over to the few that are remaining... (most of the ones we had are already gone this year). She says to me... "now I don't want you to give me one, I want to buy it. But I only have $20.00. Do you have something in that price that I could get?" She looked at me so worried and a little embarressed.
I looked around thinking.... hmmmm this might be a problem, we have mostly big ones and if she won't let me give her one, these are really big ones and above 35.00 each. She waited on me, watching me to find her something that will keep her dignity intact, be good enough to buy but not over what she has. Finally I see one still in it's box, 6' tree marked for sale at 4.99, perfect!
When I showed it to her, she got such a look of relief in her eyes and smiled a huge smile at me. Then I knew she was really hurting financially and really didn't have the money to spend, but her pride needed to be able to buy something and it not be a handout. She quietly said, "my children are coming to my home this Christmas and I haven't had a tree in years. I didn't want them to know I didn't have anything special for Christmas. But I can't go to a big store, I just don't have that kind of money"
I gave her a big hug and a pat and told her, "now they can come and you will enjoy having them. They will never know our secret, that you got a brand new tree for 5 bucks! I'm so glad you have money left over, and thank you for coming to us to solve this little problem."
She left so happy.... I went on to help someone else.... but the glow in my heart stayed all day. Other trees are given away and those stories are special too, but this little lady touched my heart.. what if she had been my own mother, or yours?
Visit www.rolemodelsofamerica.org to see what it's all about.....
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