It’s usually against my better judgment to go to Walmart on a Sunday at noon. There are just too many people. That said, I really needed to get a few things and hadn’t managed to go before then. My strategy was to go in and out through the garden center entrance. I knew there would be only one register open there but there was seldom a line. I found the items I needed and headed to the register. As I approached, I could see there was nobody in line. A sign advertising all Christmas items 50% off caught my eye. I diverted from my path to the register to get some wrapping paper for next year. Heck, it was 50% off.
As I headed back to the register, there was a woman ahead of me putting items on the conveyor belt. She was my age, Hispanic, and well dressed with long brown hair. I looked at her cart to see how long the wait would be. It was filled with little Christmas items. There must have been twenty Santa hats and tons of those headbands that have reindeer antlers on them. Her basket was filled with novelties that the lone cashier would have to individually scan. Suddenly my strategy of using the garden center entrance was not working out so well. I groaned internally. I wanted to be home for the start of the Patriots game.
“You certainly seem ready for next Christmas.” I said to the woman.
“Oh this?” she replied. “This is for the children in my country. They are very poor and have never had a real Christmas. Next year when I go home for Christmas, I will bring this to them. They will have a good Christmas.”
“Where are you from?” I asked
“Columbia. I just flew back on the 26th. The town I am from is very small. We never had Christmas when I was a girl. But next year the children in my town, they will know Christmas.”
While the clerk scanned all of the items, she told me about her village in Columbia and life there. The Patriots game became a minor concern. Her total was around $80. That’s a lot of novelty Christmas items, but they’ll bring a lot of smiles.
Happy New Year.
Milford Street 
This is a beautiful story, Milford Street. I hope you will run it again next Christmas. Were you using your Spanish to talk to her?
Thank you. No, her English was quite good. Thanks for the idea to rerun this next Christmas. Cheers
imagine .. you in Walmart racing around for last minute items… I was imagining the worst but you made it work out. you got a good story out of your adventure. Happy New Year!
😊
What a great Christmas story! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you so much. Happy New Year!
What a wonderful story. I agree with the reader above … to run it again for Christmas next year!
Thank you, Nancy. I need to remember this for next year. Happy New Year!
It is wonderful as others have written Chris happy new year sending you all good things for a joyous and creative new year ~ smiles Hedy
Same to you Hedy. Cheers
Wonderful story, Chris! I can already imagine how happy those kids will be when they get to see all those Christmas decorations, I bet those reindeer antlers will be in high demand! 😄 And it’s lovely to know that you took the time to talk with her even though the Patriots were beckoning. 😉
It was a nice story. And the Patriots won so we were all happy. Cheers!
Yay!! 😀
Wow! Kind. That’s a beautiful experience!
Thank you so much. Cheers
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No, so far no sign of the missing card. 😩
This made me tear up. Bless this woman for her kindness.
I agree. Thanks for visiting. Cheers!
Lovely story, Chris…
Thank you so much, Ally. Cheers!
The pleasure is mine, Chris. 🙂