The Quarter

Sometimes  as we travel among the closed-in boxes of life we have red balloon moments where we rise above all the tight angled constrictions.   Paul Klee depicts a breakaway moment in his "Red Balloon."  Yesterday I had a joyful highlight in the Cooper's Food store parking lot.  Any of you who are still having to make treks to the stores have probably faced the parking lot challenges these days.  The whole of our town must be out and about in their cars.  Everyone is on the prowl for a car leaving their place.  Usually there is a line up for each spot as the cars jockey for position.  After securing a treasured place in the parking lot, I finally made it out to get my grocery buggy.  With the encouragement of my kids I have moved to a rather small purse in these last years.  I was known for my suitcase like purses for way too long.  Still, I try to cram everything I could possibly need in any emergency into my now small purse.  I stood at the buggies, purse overflowing, trying to find a quarter.  The change part of my purse is tiny, and my squished fingers kept pulling out everything but a quarter.  I was focusing on not dropping anything important when a voice asked if I would like her quarter.  She was a young woman with a little boy in tow.  She reached toward me and held out the quarter.  "Don't worry about the change!"  She had a gentle smile.  I gratefully accepted her gift.  Her kind generosity of spirit  deeply touched me.   It was a holy moment to be treasured.

Our most significant gifts to one another come from the heart.  We can touch even those that we do not know with our kindness.  I want to listen to my heart and watch for the opportunities to naturally express goodness.  In midst of my scurrying around trying to make everything just right, I hope I can listen to that still small voice and walk in the way of gentle love.  For me, that quarter was an important part of my Christmas.  I cannot do everything, but I can keep hold of the kindness of my heart and let go of perfection.  I can follow my heart in those little but significant expressions of love.  There is always enough time for what is most important.  Thanks so much to my beautiful young woman who shared her quarter with me!  Your kindness lifted my heart in a red balloon moment that I will not forget.