Simple Gifts

That was a long time ago. You were young then. That was before your life took off. You got your life together. You got married and moved away. You made three kids, and worked a decent job.

Memphis, 1984—your name is Billy. You’ve got two bucks left to your name.

A few months ago, your landlord kicked you out. Strike one. You got fired from your job. Strike two. Then, your dog was hit by a car. Strike three.

Thanks for playing, Billy.

The last few months, you’ve been sleeping in your storage unit. But not for long. You only have a few days left before the unit lease is up.

Then, you’ll be living in your car.

And you know, of course, this was all your own fault. How could you not know? You’re no angel.

Right now, it’s late night, and you’re walking into a supermarket because you’re hungry. You’ve already searched dumpsters behind restaurants.

And hunger doesn’t just go away.

So you shove apples and bananas into your jacket pockets. A loaf of bread. An old woman sees you do it. You notice her. Now she’s following you through the store.

Great. Just what you need.

“Young man,” she says. “Don’t do it.”

There’s no use ignoring her. Besides, you’re a terrible liar. You hang your head and say, “I don’t know what else to do, ma’am. I’m starving.”

She’s sweet. Eyes like dewdrops. Face like your Great Aunt. She tells you to walk with her.

You put the food back. She holds your arm; you push her cart. She shops. You reach items on top shelves, lift heavy things, you help her check out.

She asks you to follow her home. So you do. You drive behind her—your tank is on “E.” So is your belly. It’s dark.

“This is ridiculous,” you say to yourself.

Hers is a small house. You remove your jacket and hang it on her kitchen chair. You unload her groceries. She makes you a pot of canned chili.

When you finish, she hands you a few bucks. It’s not much. But it’s her kindness that touches you. You almost start crying.

You use the cash to put gas in your car. And that night, you sleep on quilts over cold storage-unit concrete floor, smiling.

Funny, what a few bucks and some chili can do.

It’s morning. You’re going to hunt for jobs today. You get dressed. You comb your hair. You shave. You put on your coat. You reach into your jacket. You feel something.

Paper something.

Almost a six hundred dollars. Small bills. It takes your breath away. You nearly collapse.

This must be a mistake, you’re thinking. A big, big mistake.

Now you’re driving side streets and cul de sacs looking for a strange old lady’s house. You’ve got to give this money back. It’s too much.

You knock on doors. You drive. No houses look familiar. You’re lost. You never find her.

And you never will.

That was a long time ago. You were young then. That was before you got your life together. You got married and moved away. You made three kids, and worked a decent job.

Today you’re retired. You have a modest house. But you still think about a stranger sometimes.

And the older you get, the more you think about her. You unloaded her groceries. She changed your life. It only took a few minutes.

You don’t know her name, you don’t know her story. You don’t know who she is, where she is, where she went, or if she’s still alive. But then, none of these things matter.

Not really.

Because you know exactly where she came from.

19 comments

  1. Susan Hammett Poole - February 15, 2018 7:36 am

    Yep. No doubt in my mind. Straight from the hand of God.

    Reply
  2. theholtgirls - February 15, 2018 8:00 am

    Oh! I live in Memphis. This is the first good thing I’ve read about my city in a while. Thank you, Sean, for telling Billy’s story!

    Reply
  3. Mike Greene - February 15, 2018 11:17 am

    It’s funny how angels work? Isn’t it

    Reply
  4. Mary Calhoun - February 15, 2018 1:03 pm

    Simple Miracles

    Reply
  5. janiesjottings - February 15, 2018 1:05 pm

    Thanks for this story. Such a blessing this morning!

    Reply
  6. Jo Ann - February 15, 2018 1:28 pm

    In the midst of awful things, thank you for reminding us of kindness.

    Reply
  7. Frank from Covington County ,AL - February 15, 2018 1:28 pm

    Crazy thing is, People think He only looks out for those that are in dire straights. He is watching everyone all the time. Shame we don’t notice it more. His Love, that is. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
    • Pat - February 15, 2018 3:02 pm

      Amen Frank! A doctor asked me one time if God talked to him and I told him that He does every day, all you have to do is listen……………….

      Reply
  8. Arlenr - February 15, 2018 1:48 pm

    Heaven sent. Amen.

    Reply
  9. Connie - February 15, 2018 2:07 pm

    Thank you. There’s so much tragedy in the world. I’m personally dealing with possibly losing my job after 13 years, because we were bought out by a giant, soulless company and they are fazing us all out. I’m an old woman, with a mortgage, raising a grandchild, but I know that somehow it will work out. Keep sharing the good. It touches us all who look for you every day. God bless.

    Reply
    • Barbara Schweck - February 16, 2018 3:39 am

      , I am praying for you. It will work out!! You are an Angel for that child, your grandchild and you will have all you need. I believe that and I hope that you do as well.

      Reply
  10. Shirley Northington (Skelton) - February 15, 2018 2:30 pm

    Needed that today…..thank you.

    Reply
  11. Sandra Smith - February 15, 2018 2:43 pm

    Aghhh, SUGAR !
    My eyes are leaking AGAIN !
    I hope you own stock in Kleenex !
    You sell enough of em !
    ❤❤❤

    Reply
  12. Ava - February 15, 2018 2:55 pm

    Random acts of kindness are good, but we should have more deliberate acts of kindness. Everyone needs one once in a while.

    Reply
  13. Debra - February 15, 2018 4:07 pm

    Thank you… Just thank you

    Reply
  14. Jack Darnell - February 16, 2018 1:39 am

    Thanks. I like it!

    Reply
  15. Jody - February 16, 2018 4:22 am

    Blessings

    Reply
  16. Vicki - February 16, 2018 10:54 pm

    Your words inspire me.Thank you.

    Reply
  17. Edna B. - March 16, 2018 9:06 am

    Yup, there are angels everywhere. Trust me, I know. Hugs, Edna B.

    Reply

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