Without so much as a word, Charles quickly paid for the entire mailing!!
I was too stunned to speak, but stumbled to find the words as I realized what had happened.
I said, “no, I can’t accept this kind of gift.”
I was concerned that he might not also have this kind of money and it would put his family at a hardship.
Then, one lady told me plainly that:”I was being foolish not to accept this man’s generosity and such an attempt would ruin his blessing.”
I finally relented. I was so overcome with a grateful, thankful heart. My eyes welled up with tears. Everyone in the room suddenly got quiet. This complete stranger had fulfilled my Christmas Wish! As I pondered this fact and how the day was shaping up, I remember thanking him repeatedly, not finding just the right words to express my deepest gratitude.
After chasing my three-year-old around, I was yet offered up another blessing from another complete stranger. This man removed a necklace with a gold cross and offered it to my son.
“Such amazing gifts, did I really deserve this”, I silently wondered.
I said we ,”just couldn’t take his necklace”, but relented when others told me it would interfere with his blessing. I didn’t know what to say. We put the necklace around my son’s neck. One lady told me it was “her father’s way” and “that was that.”
The overwhelming evidence of love, compassion, and willingness to help and give left me speechless. Others in the room were overcome as well. Tears welled in their eyes and the air was suddenly transformed and thick with emotions. None of us, it seemed, had experienced the good side of the human spirit in quite some time.
Charles then handed me an envelope. I just shook my head in disbelief.
“Whatever is in this envelope, I can’t accept”, I said.
“Oh yes you can”, Charles began, “because you deserve it. Do something for yourself and spread some Christmas cheer.”
“I can’t...”, I said.
Charles looked into my eyes and calmly said,” Everything is going to be okay.”
“Open it after I leave”, I was instructed.
We again spoke for a few minutes. “Thank you…for everything Charles”, I said. Walking out the door, he said, “Have a Merry Christmas” and then he quickly disappeared into the night.
By this time, most people had left and it was near closing time. I went to the bathroom as we were leaving and then remembered the envelope.