Who Does That?! #LightTheWorld2016
Once upon a cold day in December 2016, I was at the Walmart checkout with my 2 year old son and 6 month old daughter.
I’d made the classic mistake of taking a “shortcut” through the toy aisle. Of course, my son’s eyes lit right up and zeroed in on exactly what he wanted to get his hands on - a red, “Blaze” race car.
“I hold it?!” he squealed.
“You can hold it while we are here, but when it is time to go home, we need to bring him back here to his friends. Can we do that?” I responded.
He was delighted.
I got the rest of the things on my list, and everyone was at peace.
Until we got to the checkout.
I’d completely forgotten about the toy as my mind was racing, trying to remember to get everything I needed, trying to keep the baby happy, trying to run sum totals in my head to stay on budget… If you’ve ever been to the store with small children, you know the overwhelm I’m talking about.
As I was loading the last groceries onto the belt, I saw the toy in my son’s hands.
Shoot. I’m not going to make it back to the toy aisle, I thought.
I began running more figures in my mind. Maybe there would be some money left over in the budget to get the toy. I looked at the running total and knew that wasn’t going to be the case. It was Christmastime, so the budget really couldn’t budge. Maybe Bryce and I could sneak back to the store some time and get the car for his Christmas present?
“Hey buddy, remember we’re going to give Blaze back to be with his friends?”
Cue the puppy dog eyes and big fat tears about to trickle.
“But… I’m his friend!”
Right at that moment, the cashier got my attention.
“Ma’am? Someone just handed me this gift card. They’d like to put it toward your groceries today.”
My jaw dropped. Who does that? I looked around in hopes of thanking the person, but there were so many people bustling about, I couldn’t see who had given the card.
I was so touched, I wanted to cry. Words can’t describe the warm, bursting feeling of sincere gratitude that flooded my heart.
Thanks to this kind stranger’s generosity, Carter was able to keep the toy after all. That sweet, smiling face was absolutely priceless. And that toy was a favorite for a very long time!
This event took place during the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ 2016 #LightTheWorld initiative. We were participating in the month long service challenges as well. It was rewarding and fulfilling to participate. I never expected someone would turn around and shine such a bright light my way as well. It was a touching and humbling experience! Knowing what it feels like to be on the receiving end added so much fuel to the fire to keep making the effort to participate. #LightTheWorld has become a much anticipated family tradition every year since. If you are interested in participating in #LightTheWorld this year, visit ComeUntoChrist.org in December for your own printable calendar of daily service ideas, and to sign up for reminder prompts.
When mommies get sick, and sometimes they do, how to things change for me and for you?
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When mommies get sick, and sometimes they do, how to things change for me and for you? 〰️
“WHEN MOMMIES GET SICK”
written and illustrated by Jayne Ann Osborne
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