Thursday, December 02, 2010

on the first day of christmas...


Yesterday morning was fairly miserable.  Frankie Valentine had to visit the pediatrician for a nasty cough.  I thought I had said good bye to my cold but it was back in full force.  I schlepped both babies to the doctor's office in a daze, head pounding.

Some lady in a Jaguar honked at me when I didn't realize the light had turned green. Then she gave me a scuz as she drove by.  Isn't it funny how the birth of our Savior brings out the impatience and nastiness in some people?

I didn't want to go, but the craft store is right next to the doctor's office and I really needed some supplies.  The Bird wouldn't sit down in the cart. Frankie started crying.  The line snaked to the back of the store.  

I just wanted to curl up and die right there next to the yarn isle when I heard a voice.  "You need to change places with me."  She was loud.  She got everyone's attention.  Was she talking to me? "You need to come up here and trade me places."  She was talking to me.

"Oh that's okay. Ha ha." I said because that's what I do, and quite frankly everyone was watching and I was embarrassed.

"No. You need to come up here. Everyone, I'm trading her places."  She came back to me. She was small and old and delightfully spry. She had on a pink leisure suit.  She touched Frankie's fuzz head. "Honey, I've been in your shoes. Go check out."

And that is how I was rocketed to the front of the impossibly long line on a Tuesday afternoon in Michael's craft store. That is how a little Christmas spirit was rubbed off onto me.

It is my first Christmas gift of the season. I plan to pass it on.


18 comments:

Natalie said...

what a saint! and i hope you are feeling better.

Unknown said...

oh I love that! how beautiful and how exactly like Christ that is. i hope you feel better soon!

Jill said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Laurie said...

I know how you feel, we are all battling a yucky fever, cold, chills germ in our house, God bless the sweet lady who let you go ahead of her, world would be a better place if there were more people like that...feel better soon.

Jill said...

Bless her pink leisure suited heart! I had an old man do the same thing for me yesterday! Hope you're feeling better my dear. You need to go to the dr., too!

Loves to you all! Miss you like crazy!

Rachel said...

thank God for sending angels when we are just about to break down!

Emily said...

That story made me tear up a little. Why are the old people where I live just rude and judgmental? I swear I get looks like "control your kids" twelve times a day. I wish people were more kindhearted like your lady. I feel inspired by her to do something for someone today.

From the Kitchen said...

There are wonderful people in our world! I'm going to try being one of them! My boys were 17 months apart and I well know the feeling of wanting to curl up in the yarn aisle!!

Best,
Bonnie

Sherri said...

Either she's a really nice lady or was sick of hearing your children scream. :) I try to avoid shopping with my 3 year old... I'll admit it, I have no control!

Jen said...

OHh that just made me cry! I love that lady -pink leisure suit and all! Hope you get feeling better -right away!

Jeanette said...

I would like to spend the day with the pink leisure suit lady! I bet she has a wealth of wisdom and goodness to share. Love this story and the way in which you share it. Hope your family is feeling better soon!

Stef said...

Oh, that just gave me the warm fuzzies all over.

Hope you're all feeling better soon!

Terri Fisher said...

That's awesome! Merry Christmas!

Jansie said...

Love her! Thank you pink leisure suit lady. Whoever you are. And thank YOU for sharing this awesome story. Feel better soon.

Nancy Wyatt said...

How cool is that! Thanks for sharing spark sister!

Elizabeth said...

What a warm and wonderful post. I hope you're all feeling better soon.

Denise said...

What a heart warming post. So wonderful to know there really are angels out there. Feel better soon!!

Shane, Meg, CJ, RJ, and AL said...

love that woman for your sake...hoping to run into one just like her next time I am in line somewhere...is that completely selfish of me??