Unexpected Encounters and Powerful Reminders
I gave this man a bunch of old books, a lumpy comforter, and a hoodie with no string, but this man– he reminded me of my why.
Sometimes a story nags at you like a rock in your shoe. It just wants to be told, but your brain tosses it around a bit until the words arrive. This morning they showed up: Goodwill.
It’s a simple compound word that many associate with dropping off hasbeens; most likely they bumped around in your trunk for a few weeks before you actually donated them. Others associate it with Luke 20:14, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" No matter what comes to mind when you hear this term, its message is one in the same. Giving– clothes or well wishes– both leave us with a reminder, giving supersedes receiving.
This week, I got a wild hair, and cleaned out my closet. It has been on my to do list for months, but on this particular Monday-- it seemed extra important. I think the Universe knew what was in store for me. After compiling a bunch of stuff that no longer served, I went to work. I forgot about the large bag my son muscled down to the door before heading off to school. Then 4:00pm hit, and I needed a change of scenery. Upon walking downstairs, the bag stared back at me. A break was in order.
I planned to run to Goodwill and the bank. When I arrived at the donation center, an older gentleman met me at the back of my car. He lugged the oversized bag out, and asked if I wanted him to grab the easel that was still in the backseat.
“No, I need that to teach tonight, but thanks,” I replied absent-mindedly. He stopped dead in his tracks and shifted the weight of the awkward, oversized bag.
“You are a teacher?” he inquired. I continued with a long explanation of I guess so, but I am not a full time teacher anymore. I work at a university, but my husband is a “real teacher.” He is at the juvenile detention center making me proud every day. I just teach creative writing once a week……He put the oversized bag down, and looked on in awe. I am not sure if it was my rambling, or he was remembering a teacher from his past who showed him Goodwill.
“Can I give you a hug?” he asked.
“Of course,” I smiled.
So there- in the Goodwill parking lot- with cars backing out in a rush, and passerbyers wondering why this woman and a man in a neon vest were hugging, I felt an immense sense of peace and goodwill.
This man reminded me that the smallest acts of gratitude, the smallest moments of acknowledgement can spark a week of joy. I gave this man a bunch of old books, a lumpy comforter, and a hoodie with no string, but this man– he reminded me of my why.
He spread goodwill with a simple question and a remarkable action.
