Many a Christmas season I refused to donate to the Salvation Army cause. But my heart had been touched as I gave it more thought. Both physical and spiritual help is offered year round to the less fortunate.
“Oh no, I didn’t mean to do that!”
I came unglued. What was I going to do now?
About to enter the grocery store, I scooped up all the loose change in my purse and deposited it into the red Salvation Army bucket. I watched helplessly as the coins fell in, along with my husband’s wedding ring.
A couple volunteers stood at the post ringing their bell.
The man spoke up. “That was really generous of you.”
“No it’s not, I’m not generous at all.”
I learned the couple belonged to each other, but neither of them had the key that belonged to the bucket. Sensing my anguish, the man pulled out his cell phone placing a call to his supervisor. There was nothing he could do to help me either.
The husband handed me his business card, in case I should need him. He was a lawyer.
I wagged my finger at him. “You better be honest, because I have your number now.” I can’t believe I said that. Clearly I must stop watching so much TV.
I was cold and in a hurry.
I had just left my husband’s bedside. He was still hospitalized recovering from his fourth back surgery. The wedding band was put in my change purse for safe keeping. Yeah, right.
Eventually I was given a phone number I could call to retrieve the ring. The office of the Salvation Army was alerted to my error and were on the lookout for it. I was told it was found and waiting for me to pick it up.
It was one for the memory books.
That was several years ago, but it still brings up a vivid holiday memory. Today, I smile at it, not so at the time.
The following year, I again deposited some change in the red bucket. “You’re not getting any wedding rings this year.”
The young man’s bell stopped mid ring, “That was you?”
A change of heart
The Salvation Army folk are a good group of people that make a positive difference in lives. Who couldn’t use a little encouragement now and then?
One Day Wonders with JBK 