Before I share this story there are a few things I would like to predicate it with. I have promised to share this true story in some way or another since the year that it happened in 2008. I believe we all know of friends and family who have gone through the uncertainty and devastation of cancer. There are many others who are stricken with other diseases, maladies and burdens. The intention of sharing this is not to make anyone sad. Actually it is a message of joy and strength and the true magic of Christmas.
December 2009. I had this story saved on a computer that crashed recently. I took the hard drive to Office Depot, but the information on the drive was irretrievable. Go figure. So, I sit now at the keyboard to recall the events of the day. I didn't want to start because two very important parts of the story have eluded my memory. However, God has chosen not to re-reveal them to my memory and his way is better than mine.
Christmas Season 2008. The economic downturn had hit our business extremely hard. I was cutting corners every way that I knew how. If it wasn't absolutely necessary, it wasn't coming into the house. It was a brisk cold Saturday morning, the perfect day to pull out those holiday scarves and sweaters. But, I knew that the list I had in front of me didn't call for any celebratory clothing. Saturday was my grocery shopping and errand day. Just the basics on my list, except for the Christmas Cards.
I was held up it seemed all morning. A delay in walking out the door everywhere I turned. I was to the point of almost deciding to do this another day. I finally made it into car with my list. Singing along with the radio Christmas tunes, I drove right past Wal Mart. hmmmm. A thought popped into my head. "Let's go to Hallmark and get our Christmas cards." Where in the world did that thought come from? I can't afford Hallmark's Christmas boxed cards. Then, I drove right past Sam's Club too! hmmmm. Another thought, "Well it won't hurt to look at the pretty cards." I pulled up to Hallmark. The store is filled with people in Christmas sweaters and hats and scarves, Christmas music is playing and the tree is twinkling. "Well this is festive" I thought.
The boxed card aisle is crammed with both people and cards. I'm looking at the cards and placing them back on the rack, trying not to gasp at the prices. I place them back with a nod of indifference that I hoped was telling others that it wasn't the price, but the wrong verse that made me put it back.
I noticed a lady at the end of the aisle fumbling with one hand to turn over a box and look at the verse. Others were standing by her and she continued box after box. I had worked my way closer to her. She was trying to retrieve one in the back and struggled. It appeared she only had use of one arm. I reached down and handed the box to her. The next 15 minutes or so started with the illumination of her joyful face. I can't even type this a year later without getting emotional. She absolutely radiated joy. She was as colorful as any character in a Dr. Seuss book. Lime green and yellow scarf, a multi colored sweater hat, bright coat, bell earrings. She thanked me and told me still smiling that she had lost the use of her arm due to a brain tumor. I asked her if there was anything I could help her look for. She told me that she was looking for the most beautiful cards she could find with a Christian verse about joy. She wanted them to have Gold on them though and not the silver that was so popular this year. I plowed through them as we talked. She told me that she didn't have much money, but it was the best Christmas season she has ever had and wanted to find the best cards that she could to give to the special people in her life. She told me that she had found two of the greatest loves of her life that year. Jesus and a man that loved her dearly. She told me she woke up with a smile every single morning. She had been in a loveless abusive marriage for years, but had been totally devastated nonetheless when he walked out on her. She had stuck with him and now he was leaving. She said it was at this time she started having headaches. She passed them off as stress for a long time and then her vision was suffering. Test concluded she had a very large tumor on her brain. They performed surgery and she lost some vision in one eye and the use of her left arm. I told her how wonderful it was that they were able to get it out. We continued talking as she told me of her new loves. She said that God knew what she needed in her life and he sent this wonderful new man to her. She said she can see the love in his eyes every time he looks at her.
By this time, all of the music and colorful sweaters and business of the holiday crowd subsided into the past. I was enamored by her and there wasn't another soul in this busy store. She talked of her kids and then we got to our plans for Christmas. I told her mine and she told me hers. Same exuberance as before, no change in mood or expression. She says "I may be with Jesus, the tumor has returned and it is inoperable." My eyes filled with tears and she stopped me and took me, a complete stranger by the shoulders in this store and turned me to her and said. "Don't be upset, I am the happiest I have ever been in my life and I will be happier yet when I am gone." She turned back to the cards and again said that she just wanted to find the best Christmas Cards that she could for those people so dear to her. We found those cards. They WERE the most beautiful cards. There were 3 boxes. She said she only needed two. I went to put the other box back, couldn't do it. I too had some special people to share with. We hugged, and both walked out of that Hallmark card aisle in opposite directions, both knowing that we would never see each other again.
But, she left me with these true gifts of Christmas. God's love will sustain, Be happy in the moment, Share yourself with others, Cherish those who love you, Respect those who don't, Forgive those who hurt you, Live Purposefully. I adjusted the grocery list for that box of cards. There were two things I told you at the beginning of the story that I couldn't remember this morning. I couldn't remember her name, I have since named her Rebeccah. And, I couldn't remember the cards! I know now that it doesn't matter. She is God and the message is his love. I don't ever want to forget her spirit, her thankfulness and her joy at Christmas. My heart is full when I think of her.
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