Wednesday, Dec. 23
By Katherine Schneider, for the CVPost
This has been a strange year.
I’m sure I’m not alone in having trouble getting into the Christmas spirit. Listening to Christmas music, writing and hearing from friends and reading one of Jan Karon’s Mitford series of novels have helped. As I think back on Christmases past, a memory stands out:
About 25 years ago, I received an attitude-changing gift in the form of a quarter.
The local franchise owner for Burger King restaurants used to put on a free Christmas morning brunch for all comers. Several of my friends and I made helping with it part of our Christmas Day plans.
I’m blind and have a Seeing Eye dog, so we did our volunteering as greeters. Standing at the door saying “Merry Christmas” “Welcome” and “have a seat and you’ll be served right away” is much easier than bussing tables, anyway!
The gifting
On the morning of the gift, we were doing our thing and having a fine time. A few kids had asked and received permission to pet the dog, so she was enjoying herself, as well. I gestured with my cup of coffee to a man that he could go right in and seat himself.
Then I heard a plop and felt something land in my coffee cup.
Surprise, verging on shock, about what just happened was followed by fishing a quarter out of the bottom of my cup.
My next response was indignation, I’m embarrassed to say. I worked for the university and didn’t need the quarter and resented someone assuming because I was blind that I was a beggar.
Cooling down
After a few walks and some time to cool down, I realized maybe this encounter could equally well be seen in the light of Christmas. The giving individual was giving what he had and where he could. Maybe I could give him the gift of receiving the gift graciously and putting it to good use somewhere.
This is a belated thank you to you if you’re the one who gave me a quarter. On the other hand, if you’re the recipient of an unwanted gift this season, look at it deeply. Maybe the intent of the gift is priceless, just as it was with the quarter I received.
Love, joy and peace to you and yours.