Tuesday, January 3, 2012

A New Year's Surprise Gift

There is an eighty five year old man who attends church with us. When we first started going to church there, his wife was with him. She was a little woman and wore red lipstick, her cheeks were colored brightly, and her hair was always hidden beneath a turban-type cover; traits which gave her character without words. Mr. T always opened the truck door for her and people often saw them in Wendy's, where he would seat her and then go order their meal. They had no children.


The last time I saw her was in the hospital; I didn't know she was there until I heard him talking to her, so I peeked in to see if it was a good time to visit with her. He asked me to come in and told her I was there. She gave no response and had he not been in the room, I wouldn't have known her; the turban wasn't covering her thinning white hair and her face was pale. She passed away a few days later.


Time seems to have helped heal his loneliness; he still comes to church and every Sunday he says the prayer before the sermon, always, always, praying for our country, our leaders, our military men and women, and that we will all grow to be "more like the gentle Jesus."


There were times when I saw him give a piece of jewelry to some of the women, and a week ago he told me, "I don't mean to leave you out; I just didn't know if you wear rings." So I was totally honest and told him since arthritis has made my knuckles large I don't wear rings; even my wedding ring has been put away. Last Sunday, he was waiting for me at the door with this:


Now when you get as old as I am, any little gesture of kindness means so much. I told him, "This is one of the sweetest things anyone has ever done for me," to which he replied, "I bet your husband gets you things nicer than this." I laughed and said, "He buys me farm things, like tractors, not jewels."


Somehow, his kindness comes straight from the Bible: "Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you." Ephesians 4:32







18 comments:

  1. That is absolutely the sweetest thing I have read or heard in a long time. Bless his kind, obviously gentleman's heart. (BTW, I totally understand the tractor gift bit - or maybe a backhoe)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Oh my godness, this brings tears to my eyes.. Bless his heart, what a dear man and such a beautiful gift.. I know you'll treasure it always...May God give him peace, Susie

    ReplyDelete
  3. Your story has lifted my heart.
    {{hugs}}

    ReplyDelete
  4. What a touching, but sweet, story. I am not sure who was made the happier by this gift, the giver or the receiver!

    ReplyDelete
  5. This is the sweetest story! What a very kind hearted man he is. The butterfly/moth pin he gave you is so beautiful.

    So, do you want to join us and just see how far you get with the numbers? (You don't have to do all 366.)

    ReplyDelete
  6. What an elegant pin. Your friend sounds to be a wonderful fellow. I'm sad to hear of his wife's passing, I know it mustn't be easy for him. I'm thankful you and the other ladies at your church take time to talk with him.
    You're a true jewel yourself, you know. :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Tears in my eyes, Charlotte. So sad that this kind man lost the love of his life, but is he knows he must continue on with his life.
    (and my Mom loved butterflies - seeing one in any form always reminds me of her)
    What a special gift. I know you'll treasure it always.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Such a heart felt story....and a beautiful treasure you have from a sweet dear man.

    ReplyDelete
  9. It is exquisite Charlotte. Such a sweet gesture.
    I hope he will get to read what you've written. I know he would consider it a beautiful gift - this loving portrait of a dear couple.

    ReplyDelete
  10. What a beautiful entry. The pin is beautiful and I know this gesture has been a blessing to you.
    Thank you for sharing..

    ReplyDelete
  11. What a sweet story and a sweet man. Acts of kindness do mean so much and take so little of our time. We all need to try and be like this nice man.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Oh, that is just so precious! Augustina Peach and I used to always point the man and woman out to each other every time we went to Wendy's...I always thought how much they seemed to be in love. I'm glad to know that he's doing ok.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Thanks for sharing this lovely story. Sometimes, I think kindness is a relic of the past, but this man and others like him remind me that it is not. Happy New Year!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Such a sweet story-he must be a dear man : )And the pen is pretty too : )

    ReplyDelete
  15. Oh Charlotte what a sweet man, I can see what a sweet couple they must have been together. Such a lovely gift he has given you - I too cried as I read this.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I think that is so very special, Charlotte! Very sweet of hime to think of you, but more than that, to give you such a beautiful piece of jewelry that you can use.
    My Hubby is doing very well so I'm starting to have more free time to get on the computer and visit my blog friends. I sure have missed checking in on you and seeing what you've been up to...

    ReplyDelete
  17. Your story made me tear up. I think it was so sweet of him to give away the jewelry to the ladies at church.

    ReplyDelete
  18. What a beautiful story. And a beautiful butterfly. Thank you. I needed to hear this story and the Bible quote, as well.

    ReplyDelete