TAKE MY SHIRT/THE JOY OF GIVING

While I was in Florida, I learned something neat about my sister Charlene. 

Charlene and I at a roadside picnic on the way to the Keys. 

A while back she had been in a store and started to feel ill. She desperately wanted to get out of the store but was behind a young woman in the check out line and hemmed in by the line of people behind her. 

It seems the young lady didn't have enough money for her purchases, so she would take something out of the bags to take off the bill, then change her mind and put that back  only to take something else out, only to again change her mind and put it back. 

This went on for several minutes. In the bag, out of the bag, in the bag, out of the bag.  Charlene eventually let her panic get the better of her and she loudly chastised the woman, which did get the line moving but she was met with some cold looks by those around her.

She felt awful about her outburst when she finally got out of the store.  She realized she had missed the perfect opportunity to do something good and to have shown some grace. She could have very easily  offered to pay the difference for the young woman.  That would have helped the young woman, given her own karma a boost and she wouldn't have carried the guilt that obviously still preyed on her conscience. 

While in the Keys one evening, we went to a grocery store and were stopped at the entrance by a senior lady who was working the front door passing out flyers. I quickly explained I wasn't local and dismissed the lady. Charlene stayed a bit longer and was more gracious in her explanation as to why we wouldn't be interested.

The woman enjoyed her conversation with Charlene and  I heard her compliment my sister on her blouse.  Later when I was returning the cart, the lady didn't recognize me and approached once more with flyers in hand. I explained again I was from Arkansas and not local. 

"Oh, you are one of the sisters on vacation. Hope you are having a wonderful time.  Tell your sister I really liked her blouse, especially how be-jeweled it is."

I did just that when I got back to the car.  Charlene who was in the back seat asked Jan not to pull out yet. We heard rustling in the back seat as Charlene took off her blouse and put on a sun shirt she had handy. She then carefully folded the blouse and had Jan drive up to the store front where she presented the blouse to the lady. 

I wish I had taken a picture of the expression on that woman's face. First total jaw dropping shock, disbelief, then joyful delight. Charlene really made that woman's day. Pretty sure any damaged karma Charlene carried was repaired that night. I had no doubt that the woman would pay that act forward.  

Out side of my brother-in-law Tom, I had never seen anyone actually take a shirt off their back to give to another. Charlene was the first ever I saw give one to a total stranger. 

I had all ready been proud of her for deeply regretting her original out burst towards the first young woman. The original remorse showed her true character but the "shirt off her back" move, cemented my admiration. Way to go Sis.  

Has a friend or family member surprised you with a truly generous act? Maybe it was you who gave in to the moment to give or equally as wonderful, to have received such a spontaneous gift. 

Here's wishing all of you a wonderful Holidays.  May the Season's  spirit fill you with warmth, a generous heart and good cheer.