Holidays

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Two days after a severe ice storm, I knew I had to go out and finish some Christmas shopping. Before I left, I phoned all over to see who had the best prices on Christmas trees. I couldn't believe that everyone was sold out except for WalMart. And they only had three trees left. My daughter and I went straight to WalMart, hoping there was at least one available tree. There were two, but not exactly my idea of a Christmas tree. My tree always resembles half of a forest. The holidays just aren't the same without a huge, live tree.

So there I stood, trying to decide what to do. I wanted a bigger tree. But if I waited, hoping to find one somewhere else, we might not get one at all. The risk was too high. So, I paid for the "Charlie Brown" tree, told the cashier to tag it, and that I'd be back in about an hour to pick it up after I finished shopping.

Now I was "in a mood."

The employee who tagged the tree suddenly came up to me with a happy smile and proceeded to relate all sorts of information about how to make the tree last longer.

Just what I needed; some good samaritan all "happy go sappy" trying to help me.

All I wanted was to get the shopping done and get out of there. At this point of the season I was more than disgusted with the holidays. All it seemed to be was high prices, unavailable items, rude shoppers, crowded stores, icy roads, etc. And can anyone tell me why it's always about a hundred degrees in these stores? What are they trying to do, suffocate us? And now, I am "blessed" with this Charlie Brown tree and yet another person who wants to be nice. Yep. Christmas sure is great.

I hate being rude to people, so I waited and listened to this guy explain the "intricate details" of caring for this stick. Did I say stick? I meant tree, I think. I was beginning to drift into a touch of paranoia, and began to wonder if God or Satan sent these happy people just to torture me.

He introduced himself as Felix. (GROAN) For the last month I had been online trying to find a "Felix the Cat" stuffed toy for my daughter. But, of course, all that was available were a few cheap plastic ones. I let him finish his lingo, all the while with my pasted smile (did it show?). He finished up by telling me to have him paged when I was ready to leave, and he would bring the tree to me. Wow! Do these goody-goodies ever quit?

I went on to finish the shopping, complaining all the way through it about our "tree", the prices, and anything else I could think of. And WHY is it so HOT in these stores?

We finally checked out and the place was so packed I couldn't find anyone to page my "new friend" Felix to bring the tree. I decided to just walk back to get him. I was tired and fed up, but at least we were getting out of there.

As I approached Felix, he excitedly announced the tree was ready. He smiled and walked with me, carrying the tree. At the door I thanked him, anxious to get on my way. But he insisted on bringing the tree to my car.

Suddenly, I had a pang of guilt that hurt really bad. Who did I think I was? How many kids and adults all over the world will go without a Christmas tree, toys, food, clothes, warmth, a home, good health, people who love them, people no longer with them, and hope? When we reached my car, Felix put the tree in and made sure everything was fine. I tried and tried to give Felix a tip, but he would not take a cent. He said, "No, no, no, this is my job. You have a nice holiday."

The previous pang of guilt had now turned to a deep ache in my heart. Why should he have went out of his way for me? He didn't even know me. He didn't have to. And I didn't know him. He could be someone who has suffered loss. We all have in some way or another. Yet, he is still kind to others; not bitter like me. He could have been a Christmas angel in disguise. God knows, I needed an attitude adjustment. Or maybe he is a person who is in tune with God's spirit and just "doing his job." Whoever he is, he was doing his job that day in more ways than he realizes. He went the extra mile. But Felix did more than that. He reached me with his patience and kindness. Now, to me, that qualifies as a Christmas miracle because no one has been able to do that in many, many years. I left WalMart with a whole different perspective on Christmas, which I'm sure my daughter is happy about.

So I want to say: Felix, whoever you are, thank you from the bottom of my heart. I don't know how to repay you for your kindness, but I pray that God sends many blessings into your life this Christmas and always.

By the way, the tree looks gorgeous!

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