A Mysterious Helper At The Store

I was talking with a young woman who works at Toys R Us, asking her a question about a tablet that is made specifically for kids.  The device is something that Rachel wanted to buy with some of her money.

Now, I realize a young worker at Toys R Us can’t possibly know the answer to questions about all the hi-tech devices in the store.  But I figured, there is no harm in asking.   

In response to my questions, she simply said, “I don’t know.”  Then we both looked at the box in which the device comes and tried to determine if the answers to my questions could be discerned from the info on the packaging.

A few seconds later, the store worker was called to another task.

(I didn’t hear anyone call her but, anyhow, that’s what she said.)

As I stood there trying to figure out what to do, a young mom with two little kids in her shopping cart came around the corner from another aisle.  “I don’t think you want that device,” she said.

“Oh, really?” I said.

She said, “I don’t mean to be nosey, but I heard you talking to the young woman.  We have one of those and it won’t do what you are looking for.”  And she repeated, “I’m not trying to butt in, I’m just saying that’s my experience.”

I said, “No need to apologize.  I’m glad for your help.  That’s what I needed to know.”

She said, “You’d be better off with another type of tablet.”  And she named a couple of alternatives.

I said, “Thanks, I don’t have any idea about these things.  So, I appreciate your help.”

She said, “You’re welcome.  I know what it’s like to spend money on something and then find out it’s not what you wanted.”

I pulled out my phone to call Nadia and tell her about these latest developments.  But before I called the number I turned to give the young mom one more word of thanks for her help.  But in that brief instant she was already gone.

I looked around in every direction and thought, “What?!?  Where did she go?”  It was like a little Christmas miracle.

P.S.  Alright, I saw the young mom again when I was getting in my car in the parking lot of the store.  So, she wasn’t a mysterious angel or anything like that.  But she was someone who offered a little kind help to me.

A Christmas Tree Miracle

I knew that it was too early to put up our Christmas tree—it’s not even Thanksgiving, yet, for crying out loud—but some type of Christmas mood took hold of Nadia and I and before we knew it, Christmas music was playing and the tree was up.

We did not hide the fact that the tree was up.  In fact, it is positioned by the large picture window in the front of our house and is, therefore, quite visible.  So, I guess I shouldn’t have been too surprised when the village authorities sent a S.W.A.T. team to the house.

“We know you’re in there.”  It was a voice outside on a bullhorn.  “And we know you’ve got your Christmas tree up before Thanksgiving.  Come out with your hands up, kicking the tree in front of you, and this can still end peacefully.”

“You can’t make me take it down!” I yelled as I lobbed several scented Christmas candles out the window.  The candles fell on the front lawn without much of an effect.  But it feels good to take a principled stand.

Well, they stormed the house and we were outnumbered.  Fortunately, no one was injured because we had pretty much forgotten they were out there at that point and were watching a rerun of the Simpsons.

As they were taking the tree out the front door in handcuffs, I said, “Fellas, wait a minute.  I’m begging you to just listen to me for a moment.”  They turned to look at me and it was totally quiet.  That’s when I told them several touching stories about my early memories of Christmas and the special meaning that it holds in my life.

As I finished talking I looked around the room and everyone was wiping tears from their eyes.

The S.W.A.T. team officer in charge said, “You know what?  We don’t care if this is in violation of Village Code 347-13(b), our hearts have been touched.  Darn it!  You can keep your tree up, after all.”

The next thing you know, we were all hugging and laughing and they even helped us place the tree back in its position and put the star on top.  Then we all held hands and sang “Hark The Herald, Angels Sing.”  I don’t have to tell you, there wasn’t a dry eye in the house as we sang the final chorus.

That’s when I woke up with a start and groggily rubbed my eyes.  I looked around trying to get my bearings and then I chuckled at another one of my crazy dreams.

Oh, but I’m not kidding, by the way, about putting up the Christmas tree today.  That part of the story is true. 

As I was putting some of the left over ornaments back in the boxes and tidying up a bit, I saw a business card on the ground near the tree.  I picked it up and looked.  It read, “John Smith, S.W.A.T. Commander.”

“What?!?” I said, as I looked at the card in disbelief.

I think I’m starting to believe in Christmas miracles.