40 Christmas Angel

Christmas is probably my favourite holiday of the entire year, because I couldn’t celebrate it as a kid. When I was about five years old, my dad found religion and became one of Jehovah’s Witnesses. That meant the end of Christmas in our house, as well as birthday celebrations and many other things that most kids experience while growing up. I think that’s why it’s special to me now. That and because my first real Christmas was given to me by my wife, Brenda. She loves Christmas more than anyone I’ve ever seen. It’s her favourite holiday, without a doubt. She starts her Christmas shopping in January and finishes it on Christmas Eve. When you live with someone who celebrates Christmas all year long, it’s hard not to get caught in it.

I don’t care that I missed the presents and stuff growing up, but I do care that I missed the whole "Christmas Spirit" thing. You see, for me, Christmas isn’t as much about religion as it is about caring for your fellow man. I am very definately not a religious person, but I still do my best, at that most festive time of year, to go just a little bit further than normal in being kind and courteous. That doesn’t mean I don’t get upset with ignorant and uncaring people though. In fact I probably tend to be even more disappointed with that sort of behaviour than at other times. It erks me that these people, claiming to be such fine upstanding Christians, think nothing of being rude, obnoxious and downright selfish at this, their, most holy time of year.

I don’t need to believe that Christ was born at this time to feel a spirit of generosity and caring, or to enjoy the decorations, carols and comradery that abound at Christmas. I don’t need to believe that God sent his only begotten son to die for mans sins, in order to feel a spirit of joy and love for my fellow man just as I don’t need to believe in Santa Claus to enjoy the look of wonder in a child’s eyes, as he or she sits on the lap of a "Dime Store Santa" and recites their Christmas list from memory. I do however like to feel some of that joy and love coming from others in order to get into the spirit of the season.

I love to walk around, or sit on a bench, in a mall and just watch the people out doing their Christmas shopping. It’s fun to watch, as they go about their business, often oblivious to the fact that they are being observed. As they hustle and bustle this way and that they seldom give a thought to the fact that someone may be watching them. So engrossed in there own little world, are they, that they little thought is given to anyone around them. Rather than being filled with the spirit of the season, they often become rude and obnoxious.

Not everyone is so inclined however. One day Brenda was shopping in a large department store, while I was at home minding the troupes. It was just a couple of days before Christmas, so the stores were extremely busy. While waiting in the "never-ending" checkout line, Bren struck up a conversation with an elderly woman in a brown coat. The lady told her she had just found out that her grandchildren were coming for Christmas and she had to rush out and do some shopping for them. Although it was a wonderful surprise for her, she hadn’t expected them and was caught off guard.

They chatted for some time in line then wished each other a merry Christmas, as the woman, who was ahead of Bren, completed her transactions and left. As she was paying for her own purchases, Bren noticed a purse laying on the counter by the checkout. She realized immediately that it must belong to her new found friend. Grabbing the purse she hurried out to the parking lot and began looking around for a woman in a brown coat. She quickly spotted one bending over a car trunk loading packages. When she ran over to her, however, she realised it was the wrong woman. She then spotted another brown coat and ran to it. Again it was the wrong lady.

Bren continued searching the parking lot for several minutes, but to no avail. She thought for a second, then turned and hurried back into the store. There at the same cash register was a woman wearing a brown coat, in tears.

Bren recognized her right away and presented her with her purse. The woman was both shocked and delighted to get her purse back. She had gone to the bank and withdrawn a thousand dollars just before going shopping. It was all the money she had available to buy presents for her grand kids. Bren had never even opened the purse, but suggested that the lady should check that everything was still there. She did and after counting the nearly one thousand dollars, still contained in the purse, tried to give Bren a reward. Bren refused, saying that she hoped someone would do the same for her if the situation was reversed. After thanking her many times and trying again to give her a reward the woman finally gave in. She called Bren her "Christmas Angel" as they once more parted and went their separate ways. As soon as Bren got home, she told me the whole story. You know what? It didn’t surprise me though. She’s been my angel for twenty years.