It was the Holiday shopping season a few years ago at one of the biggest malls on the East Coast. I was in the food court. People were everywhere. There was a young Hispanic teen sweeping the floor near the automated trash can. There was a lady to my right with bags from several stores.
I was ready to leave when I saw the woman to my right get up and stop the young Hispanic boy sweeping and bussing tables.
In her hand a $5 bill was folded about four times, so that it fit neatly in her fist. With her left hand, she gently took the boys hand, pulled it closer and placed the bill in it with her right. She said, “Merry Christmas” with a smile. The funny thing was the boy didn’t understand English, or why he was getting an hour’s worth of pay for no reason. The lady said, “Keep this- it’s for you.” The Hispanic boy looked around, then at her, and then smiled shyly. The woman smiled, and walked away, satisfied.
The young boy returned to sweeping with a new vigor. I had to fight back tears from welling up because I realized how lucky I was to have a family, a beautiful home, cars, a job, someone I love…
It was all there for me to have, but I had to be reminded how blessed I truly was. It was such a pure act of charity, so perfectly timed, that it permanently expanded my perspective on life. The woman had spent hundreds of dollars on gifts, but that one $5 bill paid priceless dividends.
Of all the people running around shopping, getting enraged in the parking lot in of one of the biggest malls in the country, underneath it all I witnessed a magical moment of holiday solace.
If you are in the mood to donate a few dollars, you may do so here…
