Today was the day I had promised the kids we would have our "Marble Party". Marbles are put in a small clear box for all kinds of good behaviors. The jar had been filled up and today was the reward day. They had voted for wearing PJ's, having floats and sundaes, and playing board games. So that's what put me in the neighborhood Safeway early in the morning to buy pop and ice cream.
Having accomplished that, I stopped in the card aisle to try to find one I "needed". I had just slowed down my cart, not even stopped, when an old man held up a card with a picture of a jackass on it and said, "Should I buy this for my sister?" Somewhat taken aback I raised my eyebrows and slowly responded, "Well, I guess that depends on how you feel about your sister." He chuckled and said, "I have a donkey, and she buys me cards with donkeys all the time." "Ah..." says I.
Obviously interpreting my one syllable as a signal to go ahead he says, "My sister is 76. She is the youngest, she just had hip replacement. She's kind of old for it."
I answered rhetorically, "Mmmm, well, it's a constant challenge to keep these old bodies going, isn't it."
"Yep", says he, "she's been alone now for a year."
"Oh, gosh, I'm sorry." I say as I continue my gradual sideways retreat down the aisle.
"She was married 40 years. Happy, I guess."
"Ah, nice." I mutter, getting inches away with each exchange.
"Now me... I had 55 years of pure hell. Locked in a prison. Yep, in a prison."
Now I am truly uncomfortable, I have honestly tried to be as compassionate to this stranger as possible. I have seen him as enhungered and tried to respond in a Christlike fashion. The best I could manage at this point was, "Well, um, life is interesting, huh?"
He turned his wizened face to me; and I see his broken teeth and greasy hair, his dirty clothes and shabby shoes, and he looks me in the eye and says, in barely a whisper, "She's been gone five years. I'd give all I own just to have one more day in prison."
Through the tears in our eyes, we looked at each other and smiled.
"You have a good day," I say, "I think you should get the donkey for your sister."
9 comments:
Well, after an evening of frustrations and a bit of stress I've come to your blog. I am pretty sure you Heavenly Father had you write that one for me tonight if I must say. I am grateful that perspective is often sent our way when we least expect it. Thanks for sharing, I needed that story tonight. Love you, Jenna.
It is interesting how Heavenly Father puts people in our path of life that can make us stop and think about how things are....
Mom, thanks for making comments on my blog! Sometimes I feel like no one ever reads it. Or if they do, they don't comment, so how am I suppposed to know if they read it or not?
I know you are jealous of all my comments but that's because I conned alll my friends here and afar into blogging so I can have 9 posts in three hours. You have to make...oh my gosh your friend at school whose name I just lost. LeAnn, whoa I was going a little crazy there. tell Leann to come comment on your blog. I'll keep coming back and commenting so you can have new feed back. I bring your computer over some day after school and I'll show you how to do backrounds. or bring it to school and I can show you at lunch. I love you my goodly parent. your the best. Thanks for this chin, I was thinking it kind of resembles Jennifer Annistons chin. and that would be ok. :)
I didn't realize you had a blog and it's sure fun to find you in this crazy world. You always have a beautiful smile on your face or some great words of advice. It's always a better place with you around. :o) Thanks for the story, it's a nice reminder of what we really have.
Okay, so I have to leave another comment. Jennis said that if I went to my blog from yours it shows a bunch written in a foreign language... So, I realized that you have the first blog we tried and failed in your address. You have jillandkirksmith and the one I update is actually kirkandjillsmith.blogspot.com So, anyway, that's all I know!!! :o)
Hey, Jill, I think I fixed it! :) mama
Hi there! I just read the comments you posted on my blog, and I figured I'd come over to yours and leave one. I LOVE THIS STORY. Thank you for sharing!
Wow, it is interesting how situations like that can turn in just a second huh? Thank you for sharing that.
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