Last Saturday I had the privilege of doing something I have never done before. I rang the Salvation Army bell. At the last minute, they needed someone to step in and fill an empty slot so I went along with Noelle and one of her friends. We had a two hour time slot outside of Walmart on a fairly warm but windy day. As soon as the sun started to set, my toes started to lose feeling. We kept warm with cocoa purchased at the little cafe right inside the door.
The two hours passed fairly quickly, people coming and going constantly, some with a couple bags, others with carts piled high. Many people stopped and smiled as they put in some change or some bills. We sang for awhile. Well, the girls did. We repeated jingle bells about a hundred thousand times.
There was one moment that I will remember fondly. I watched a family approach from across the parking lot, a mom and her friend and a few kids. When they were about a stone's throw away, one of the boys picked up the pace and practically ran, pulling away from the rest of his family. I'd say he was about 9 years old or so. I thought he was just trying to get inside sooner where it was nice and warm. Nope. He ran straight towards us and our bucket. With a shy smile he reached in his pocket and pulled out a little black wallet. As he opened it I could see four or five bills all in a row. He pulled out a dollar and stuffed it into the bucket and then turned and ran back to his mom as we thanked him and called out Merry Christmas. His mom smiled at me and as they walked into the store I heard her ask him, "Did you use one of the dollars in your wallet? Good job buddy."
It was a sweet moment. A little boy giving out of his own wallet, on his own. No one putting change in his hand, no one coaxing him to the bucket.
Just precious.
8 comments:
Awww that is so sweet.
Thanks for sharing...
That makes everyone feel great! I hope I will pass that giving spirit on to my kids! Lead by example.
I got a little emotional reading this, Heth. The story about the little boy is just precious. And thinking of you and the girls out there singing and helping out is so sweet.
And I always wondered what it is like from the bell ringer's perspective. So many times I see people bolt for the door with their eyes straight ahead as they're walking in. It's like they are thinking, "Don't ask me for money, don't ask me for money." and they completely ignore the bell ringer. And of course the bell ringers are always friendly and all they want to do is smile at the people going by and wish them a Merry Christmas. I hope people weren't rude to you. It's so cool that you helped out.
I think bell ringers are the best people. :)
That is so cool. I always wonder how people get to be bell ringers.
I love the spontaneity of kids - what a wonderful heart that boy has.
It's been so incredible to see so many familiar faces at the windy walmart. I bet they sang beautifully:)
Adorable, thanks for sharing. Warmed my heart.
sweet story. i always enjoyed being a bell ringer when i was in high school. maybe i'll start back up.
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