I am part of the underclass of the Christmas season, those people who wait until the last minute to shop at Christmas; So there I am on Christmas Eve in a long line at the toy store with all the other “last minute shoppers.” and thick heavy black boots, is having a long conversation with the clerk. People overloaded with packages shift restlessly from one leg to the other, checking their watches and glancing at the ceiling as the long discussion goes back and forth.
The seller repeated: “You can’t pay for so many toys with pennies.”
“That’s all I have,” repeats the old man, realizing that he is losing the battle. “I deliver once a year. The kids thank me by leaving things for me. I can’t pay you with milk, cookies, or crayon pictures, but they also leave me handfuls of pennies. That’s all the money I have.”
The clerk shrugged. “Sorry sir, he’ll have to go somewhere else.” With that, he turns to the next person in line, me, motioning for me to put my purchases on the counter.
The round veteran stares at the clerk, a sad expression marring his chubby face. Then he looks at me. I look back at him, his eyes losing their sparkle, even as I watch. I take out my credit card, hand it to the clerk, and tell him to charge our purchases to my credit card. It is a blessing to give and this is definitely the time of year for blessings.
The burly man shakes my hand tightly, “I’m so grateful. There are so many children depending on me and I didn’t know what to do. This is my busy night, but I’ll make sure you get something great.” He crosses his arms, rubs his chin, deep in thought. Suddenly a light flashes across his face, he snaps his fingers and lets out a deep, robust laugh, his waist shaking like jelly. the elder gift! She will be waiting for you tomorrow.”
And before she could say anything else, she laughed her full, rich, shuddering laugh again, grabbed her packages, and ran out of the mall. I never caught his name, but I think I knew.
On Christmas morning, I ran down the stairs, tripping over my fluffy, worn slippers. He didn’t know what to expect, but he was sure it would be big. There were so many things that I needed; mostly expensive. Usually electric, with lots of high-tech lights and switches. This was going to be a great Christmas! I examined the living room. Tree. Sofa. Coffee table. No super fantastic gift to be seen.
“Out! That’s it!” A new, super stylish and really expensive car! wow! This is going to be better than I thought! I yanked open the door, greeted not by the sight of a luxury car in my driveway, but my own old Pontiac.
The obvious was dawning. The old man wasn’t Santa, how could he be? How foolish of me to even believe. He was just an eccentric old man cashing in his penny jar. With my head down and my spirits down, I headed to the kitchen to drown my sadness in some coffee, feeling stupid and betrayed.
Next to the coffeepot was a wrapped box. I raised it. He felt empty. “This – this is my ‘greatest gift of all'” What a disappointment. No whistles. No bells. Engine No. 300 horsepower. All that lived inside was a scroll and a tape. My heart soared again, “Maybe it’s a gift certificate.” I began to imagine the kind of certificate that Santa could give. He sure as hell would beat up the pepperoni sticks at Hickory Farm. With nervous hands, I read the newspaper:
“Take this greatest gift now. Starting today, you will accept yourself for who you are and honor everything you do. You will not forget that you are of the same material as the stars and the cosmos and that the Spirit of the Universe flows through you. at all times. You are meant to be here. Your life is full even when it seems not. You are as good as you think you are. Enjoy today and cherish all of life.PS Thank you for your help.”
I couldn’t read who signed it.
I reread it several times and then decided it was a joke. An intelligent man, well intentioned and with a pleasant feeling. But all of his ornaments weren’t hanging on the right tree.
I tossed the certificate aside and wearily reached for my mug of hot coffee, cradling it in my hands, feeling the warmth against my skin on this chilly Christmas morning. What a simple pleasure, I thought as I took a sip of the hot, dark liquid. I’ve always described my coffee as hot, brown, and bitter, but this actually tasted great! I felt wonderful going down too. A pleasant warmth in my belly. Which, I noticed, looks pretty skinny these days. My weight it is under control. I smiled again, mentally congratulating myself on the work I do to maintain my body, my health, and my mind. I’m lucky it’s so good. And, you know, even in sweatpants, I look very sexy. It’s no wonder I get along with the women at my Weight Watchers meetings: I’m a role model of health, honesty, kindness, and sensitivity, and I don’t look bad either. Stop cheating.
I started strutting around the living room “feeling my oatmeal” and thinking about these “lucky” friends of mine, which led me to think about all my other friends, and then my family, and then everyone else I like. and that they enjoy my company and admire me and share with me and help me. Boy, do I have so many! It brought a tear of joy to my eyes and a warm glow to my chest. I’m lucky to be able to feel things so deeply. Many are dead to their emotions, missing out on the richness of life. I do not! Another blessing.
My swagger took me to other rooms, only taking a few moments to appreciate my home. I took a minute to acknowledge all the delicious things I have. funny car BigTV. Good computer. warm house. In addition, many others cannot afford it. “I’m fine financially too,” I reflected.
I win everything based on my skills and abilities. I live in an area that I love. And even helped improve it. I have my health. My family. My friends. My perspective. My faith. nothing I miss; “I have everything”
I sank into a chair, realizing the power of that thought. “I have everything.” This morning when I woke up all I could think about was the possessions I didn’t have. And now, with just a change in my thoughts, I have it all. And I appreciate it very much. For quite some time, I sat in silence with a smile emanating from the depths of my soul.
And every few moments, I would send a prayer and thank you to an unusual, anonymous, annoying man I met in a long line at a mall.
He had left me nothing, but in fact he had given me the greatest gift of all.
