A true Christmas tale
I thought I would share this event with my Fellow Warriors. It seems like the plot of one of those old 40s Christmas movies, but this actually happened.
My wife has a sister who is oblivious to anything outside her own little world. She knows my wife has a terrible allergic reaction to flowers, but in spite of this, sends her a bunch of flowers every Christmas.
Usually I say throw them, or give them away, but she says "that doesn't seem right" and puts them in a vase. The next morning she's a sneezing wreck with a raging temperature and we throw them away.
This year I insisted "as we're going to the supermarket let's take them with us and give them to the first old lady we see".
We parked the car and got to the entrance, but there seemed to be a shortage of the elderly. My wife went to get a trolley and as she did I spotted two old ladies in the car park. I went over to them and said "I know you might think I'm mad but.." I went on to tell the story of my sister-in-law and the annual bunch of flowers and asked if she'd like them.
The old lady grabbed my hand, burst into tears and kissed me. She then said "My husband is in hospital and may not live until Christmas, I may never see him again." She then said "Every christmas since we met he's bought me flowers and I thought I wouldn't have any this year - this is amazing, thank you so much, you've made my Christmas". By now, I had tears in my eyes and she was holding on to me and sobbing.
At this point my wife appeared looking a little puzzled that I'd apparently turned a complete stranger into a sobbing wreck. We explained and eventually after an unbelievable display of gratitude from the poor woman, we set off - red eyed - to do our shopping.
I was completely shell-shocked, it was a small gesture that led to, by far, the most emotionally draining experience I've ever had in a supermarket car park!
Ray
My wife has a sister who is oblivious to anything outside her own little world. She knows my wife has a terrible allergic reaction to flowers, but in spite of this, sends her a bunch of flowers every Christmas.
Usually I say throw them, or give them away, but she says "that doesn't seem right" and puts them in a vase. The next morning she's a sneezing wreck with a raging temperature and we throw them away.
This year I insisted "as we're going to the supermarket let's take them with us and give them to the first old lady we see".
We parked the car and got to the entrance, but there seemed to be a shortage of the elderly. My wife went to get a trolley and as she did I spotted two old ladies in the car park. I went over to them and said "I know you might think I'm mad but.." I went on to tell the story of my sister-in-law and the annual bunch of flowers and asked if she'd like them.
The old lady grabbed my hand, burst into tears and kissed me. She then said "My husband is in hospital and may not live until Christmas, I may never see him again." She then said "Every christmas since we met he's bought me flowers and I thought I wouldn't have any this year - this is amazing, thank you so much, you've made my Christmas". By now, I had tears in my eyes and she was holding on to me and sobbing.
At this point my wife appeared looking a little puzzled that I'd apparently turned a complete stranger into a sobbing wreck. We explained and eventually after an unbelievable display of gratitude from the poor woman, we set off - red eyed - to do our shopping.
I was completely shell-shocked, it was a small gesture that led to, by far, the most emotionally draining experience I've ever had in a supermarket car park!
Ray
Sal
When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
Beyond the Path