I am not a shopper - let's establish that from the start. I go to a store with a list, a plan, and a desire to leave as soon as possible. You will never catch me near a mall on Black Friday or the weekend following it.
I do, however, love to shop on Christmas Eve. There is a different feeling the day before the gifting frenzy takes place. Everyone is a bit more: more friendly, more helpful, more sheepish at the lateness of their endeavors, more willing to go out of their way to lend a hand. It is what I think we should be doing all the time, but I often do not see it until right before Christmas.
Examples: my husband and I went to the Walmart this morning at 8 a.m. I was in the fabric section (big surprise!) looking for some thread, and an elderly gentleman with a completely empty cart was looking lost. He caught my eye and asked for help locating stick on letters to put his grandkids' names on a go-cart. His wife had sent him and he had no idea where to start. I suggested the craft aisle and the aisle with mailboxes. Another lady added that the scrap booking aisle might have them. He smiled and thanked us and he felt better, we felt better, and the day had a good start.
We ran to the local bookstore, only to find it was not yet open, and as we turned away, debating about buying coffee next door, the owner of the shop popped his head out and told us he was now open. He had seen us through the window and rushed over to open a few minutes early. Cynics might say he just wanted a sale, but I think he was being a good person.
Later, taking the kids to a different store, we saw a lady who made my 5'3" look tall, trying to find the right size thermal underwear for her 93 year old dad. All she could find were extra tall, XXL, all too big. My daughter spend 10 minutes dragging display boxes off the shelf that was over this woman's head, helping her find the right size. There were smiles, a little background on her chilly dad, and more good feelings.
So Merry Christmas to all of you. Remember why we celebrate. Give your loved ones that little extra bit of your time and attention. Life is precious, people are good and we can all spread joy, even by doing little things like holding a box, or opening a shop early. Much love to you all!
I do, however, love to shop on Christmas Eve. There is a different feeling the day before the gifting frenzy takes place. Everyone is a bit more: more friendly, more helpful, more sheepish at the lateness of their endeavors, more willing to go out of their way to lend a hand. It is what I think we should be doing all the time, but I often do not see it until right before Christmas.
Examples: my husband and I went to the Walmart this morning at 8 a.m. I was in the fabric section (big surprise!) looking for some thread, and an elderly gentleman with a completely empty cart was looking lost. He caught my eye and asked for help locating stick on letters to put his grandkids' names on a go-cart. His wife had sent him and he had no idea where to start. I suggested the craft aisle and the aisle with mailboxes. Another lady added that the scrap booking aisle might have them. He smiled and thanked us and he felt better, we felt better, and the day had a good start.
We ran to the local bookstore, only to find it was not yet open, and as we turned away, debating about buying coffee next door, the owner of the shop popped his head out and told us he was now open. He had seen us through the window and rushed over to open a few minutes early. Cynics might say he just wanted a sale, but I think he was being a good person.
Later, taking the kids to a different store, we saw a lady who made my 5'3" look tall, trying to find the right size thermal underwear for her 93 year old dad. All she could find were extra tall, XXL, all too big. My daughter spend 10 minutes dragging display boxes off the shelf that was over this woman's head, helping her find the right size. There were smiles, a little background on her chilly dad, and more good feelings.
So Merry Christmas to all of you. Remember why we celebrate. Give your loved ones that little extra bit of your time and attention. Life is precious, people are good and we can all spread joy, even by doing little things like holding a box, or opening a shop early. Much love to you all!
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