Christmas Angels

There are angels I am very grateful for this week.

1. I went to WalMart on Wednesday to pick up some Christmas things. By things, I mean 7 popcorn tins that took over my shopping cart. I paid, brought them out to the car, put them in the car, pushed the cart into the cart corral, picked Addie up out of the cart, put Addie in the car, and went on my merry way.

Fast forward 6 hours...it's now 5:50 at night. I'm on my way to our YW activites at the church. I hop in the car with my three kiddos, planning to meet Jeff at the church to do the hand off. As I'm pulling out of the driveway, I ask the kids if they see my purse. They can't see it anywhere. I turn on the interior dome light, searching through the front seat. Still, no purse.

I turn around and head back toward home. We get out, and at this point I'm panicking and I'm starting to make the kids panic, because I knew one thing. I last saw my purse in the cart as I was putting it back into the corral. A quick and frantic search guaranteed me it wasn't at home either.

My purse would be long gone by now. I was sure of it. I actually never have cash on me, so I knew I wouldn't be out much money. However, the pain of having to replace my license was enough to make me sick. Not to mention, my mom sent me the cutest purse for my birthday in October, and I was most sad to lose the purse.

I quickly called WalMart and the operator connects me to lost and found. When I tell the lady I think I left my purse in a cart today, she just laughs. She asks me if my purse is multi-colored and I tell her it's mostly black. She puts me on hold, telling me she'll see if it may be there. 60 seconds later she's back and says,

"Mrs. Clark?"

Oh my gosh! I was shocked! I hadn't told her my name, so the only way she'd know is by seeing my license inside my wallet, inside my purse!! I was totally elated! Someone had turned the whole thing in. Every diaper, wipe, credit card and ID was still in it. And, my favorite new purse! I couldn't believe my luck! It was a happy, happy end to a typically unfortunate situation.

They had no idea who turned it in. I wanted to send a thank you note but they had no idea. All I know is, I'm grateful for that Christmas angel who found a purse and did the decent thing.

2. Today was Jackson's class Holiday party. It was Delaney's, too, but I'm the room parent in Jackson's class, which means I'm in charge of planning, organizing, and executing it.

Jeff always works from home on Fridays. Always. The party is right during nap time, so me leaving for a few hours to go to the school wouldn't cut into his work day in any way. And, younger siblings aren't allowed at the holiday parties, so this always works out perfectly for us.

Jeff's had a few crazy weeks at work. Lots of long hours and unexpected meetings resulting in an unpredictable few weeks. There was a little voice nagging at me yesterday, telling me to confirm with Jeff that he'd be home today.

You know where this is going, right?

Yep, he had to be in the office today. The first Friday in the office in 18 months. On class party day. I was up a creek without a paddle, so to speak. Every person I know was at their child's holiday party this afternoon. I couldn't think of anyone to ask to help me with Addie.

And then I remember a conversation I had with a woman at church about 2 years ago. Kathy loves her grown kids the way my mom loves her grown kids. She's so fun to talk to because she brings up her kids in almost any conversation. And she's a grandma. In fact, she's such a fun grandma, I'm jealous I'm not one of them. In any case, 2 years ago she told me she knows what it's like to raise kids without any family around, and if I ever needed help, to please give her a call.

So, I took her up on her offer, 2 years later. I emailed her (because I worried if I called her it'd put her on the spot) in a panic yesterday afternoon and within an hour she let me know she could do it. She showed up this afternoon, right on time, and sat at my house for 2 hours while I went and did my mom thing over at the school.

As I was pulling out of garage, headed over to the school, I was so grateful for this Christmas angel. For two reasons. One, I was so appreciative of her generosity. She is a busy lady who is starting a Church Service Mission in another week, or so. There are plenty of other things she should be doing with her time. Two, I'm grateful for the lesson this taught me. I realized that when I am in a different season in life, I need to be sure to remember what it was like for me as a young mom. And I need to remember to pay it forward. Kathy remembered that there were times when she was raising kids that she'd found herself in a tough spot, concerning childcare. And she was sure to mention that to me, in case I ever found myself in a similar tough spot. And, obviously I did, and I'm so grateful to her for her offer, however long ago, and her willingness to make good on it, with less than 24 hours notice.

What a fun week. Two generous acts, one very grateful recipient.

****Oh, and as a post script, it should be known (or Jackson would like it to be known) that he got 100% on the spelling test I was foretelling doom about.