Monday, December 22, 2014

...an anonymous giver



On Sunday afternoon we attended a Christmas Open House at the home of a friend. Afterward, we visited a nearby mall. The place was teeming with people...beyond crowded. In addition to holiday shoppers, there were people looking at the new cars that were parked inside the mall...for sale by various dealers. We were having a peek at a nice little BMW when a tall, middle-aged, well dressed gentleman approached me. He asked me if Annie was my daughter and I answered yes. I thought he was a car salesman. He said, "Have Santa buy her something she would like." I thought he was handing me his card and I extended my hand, but stopped when I saw he had a folded bill in his hand. I said no I could not take his money. He said please a couple of times and again I refused. Then he said, "If you won't take it for her, take it for me." I looked into his eyes and they were glistening with the beginnings of tears. I took the bill and thanked him for his kindness and generosity. Then he was gone in the crowd. I caught up with my husband and relayed the story...I turned the folded bill over and saw it was a twenty. We stood speechless in the middle of all this shopping madness and just looked at each other.

I would never have taken the bill this gentleman offered had I not looked into his eyes and recognized his need to give it to me. There was such a look of...longing...the only word I can come up with. Perhaps, somewhere in his life he knew someone with Down Syndrome...a sibling, a childhood friend, maybe a child of his own. Perhaps, he was one of those individuals who gives out money to random people. Whatever the reason, our Annie was the recipient of his largess.

We decided we would indeed buy Annie something she likes since this was his wish. Whenever anyone asks Annie what she likes best for a gift her answer is always "office supplies". Those large packs of different colored computer paper are her favorite. She turns them into her very own masterpieces and gives them to her friends. Santa already had a pack wrapped and ready for her...now she will receive another pack...from an anonymous giver...a mysterious gentleman who picked her out of a crowd and bestowed upon her a gift of Christmas.

                                                                     Enjoy the day,
                                                                           Robyn
                   

                  p.s. I have my own ideas about this "mysterious giver". I'd like to hear from you!


                             


                                           






22 comments:

  1. Oh,the kindness of strangers. There are indeed angels who walk among us. What a blessing for Annie and for your family. Merry Christmas!

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  2. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares….
    I believe.
    xoxoxox
    to you all,
    L

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  3. Oh yes yes, I believe the scripture Lori quoted. Such a touching story I had tears in my eyes while reading it. Blessings to that man and your Annie. Hugs, Lori

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  4. Dear Robyn,
    Yes, there are indeed "angels among us" and what a joy for you and your family to have been able to personally experience this wonderful Christmastime miracle!!
    I BELIEVE!!
    Christmas Hugs~
    Julie

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  5. What a precious precious story. Thank you for sharing with us. How wonderful that in the midst of all the distractions of this time of year, a wonderful man took the time to follow his heart and look to bless your daughter.

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  6. I love it! Such kindness.
    Have a happy Annie!

    Audrey

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  7. I agree with you and by taking it, you in turn gave a gift to that gentleman. For several years, I would come across a child that looked so sad while their parent was shopping or checking out. I would drop a 10 or 20 spot and bump into them so they would see it, wink at the parent, and tell the child that I thought I saw an elf go by. Seeing the sadness become a smile was worth much more than that money.

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  8. What a beautiful story. Blessings on this gentleman.
    Merry Christmas.
    Hugs,
    JB

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  9. Hi Robyn, so touching, Angels are among us indeed.Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas.Hugs Francine.

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  10. Such a sweet Christmas story for a sweet girl to always remember. And us too.
    Merry Christmas! Yes, I think he needed to do that. Julia

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  11. What a remarkable act of kindness and generosity and am sure it made him happy to give that gift.

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  12. What a wonderful experience! Sometimes the happiness is in the giving and not the receiving. :-)

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  13. With all the heartbreaking news these days, it is wonderful to hear an uplifting story! Thanks for sharing and Merry Christmas. Melinda

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  14. I believe he had some memories and I am sure Annie's smile made him remember.
    blessings to him
    Cathy

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  15. An angel to uplift the spirit in what can be a heartbreaking world. What a wonderful story to share with all of us. Merry Christmas to you and yours and that wonderful man. Sandra

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  16. The goosebumps all over me tell me with a doubt He was a Christmas Angel!
    Thank you for sharing..
    Touching my heart..
    God is so great!!
    Big old woolie hugs and lots of Love to you, Sweet Annie and Family.
    Merry Christmas!

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  17. A perfect Christmas story. Thank you for sharing. I wish you all the happiest Christmas ever.

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  18. What a beautiful act of kindness and generosity. There is so much good in this world but we usually hear/read only the bad. God Bless you Annie and hubby this Christmas season.
    Hugs 🎄
    Lauren

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  19. What a wonderful thing to happen! I think your theory that perhaps he once had a down syndrome child as some connection to him is a good one. So sweet, and such a special thing in this season of love and joy. Merry Christmas to you and your beautiful family!

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  20. Angels among us...... Merry Christmas!!

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  21. Yes, Robyn there is a Santa Claus...

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  22. A wonderful, heart warming story. The season of giving.

    Becky

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