The One Dollar Gift that Made My Day

Image by Malias

I whisked into Home Depot with my baby on my hip. I was quickly breezing in to get a few hooks for the bathroom wall.

Or so I thought.

As I trotted by one of the workers, she smiled and said, “Hi cutie (to the baby). You were in here yesterday.”

I was surprised that she remembered and wondered if she realized the baby was still wearing the same clothes! (It was a rough afternoon.)

Did she think I was a bad mom?

I stopped and chatted for a minute then went on to find the hooks I had picked out the day before.

We said hello again as I hurried to the check out and I thought that would be the end of our interaction.

Once through the line and ready to head out the door I noticed it was pouring down with rain. Really pouring down.

And my car was far away.

We turned around and made our way to the other entrance because it was closer to the car. Once I got to the door, we stopped. There was no way I could take a baby out in that downpour!

I imagined the screams if I tried to make a run for it. I wondered if I would slip over with the baby while trying to hurry to the car. I considered how long this rain might last and thought about wandering the aisles until the storm had passed.

Before I could decide on a plan of action, the lady who remember my baby from yesterday came walking toward us. Umbrella in hand she said, “I buy these for a dollar at the Dollar Store and I’d like to give it to you.”

Surprised and grateful, I thanked her and accepted the gift.

We made it to the car and I smiled all the way home.

A kind soul had reached out to me.

This happened during Giving Month (a month where I was attempting to focus on blessing others). It reminded me that gifts don’t have to be BIG to be meaningful.

What touched me the most was the care she took with her words. I felt that she really tried to make it easy for me to accept her gift. She let me know that it was not a big deal, even though it might have been (how was she going to get to her car?).

I appreciated that as much as I appreciated the umbrella.

I want to learn the art of giving. To give without being showy, without grand gestures.  To give for good of the other person (and not my own ego).

I’m grateful for you Home Depot lady. Thank you for gift and for the lesson.