Holiday Happenings

In my opinion this is one of the most exciting times of the year. Yes, I get a little bit stressed, but I try very hard not to because at the center of all the commotion is something much deeper and much more important than what color or fabric of sweater I should purchase for my family member. Especially with Jacob being in the military, I feel I have a new appreciation for time with family, eating meals together, and enjoying conversation. I say all of this, knowing that it is cliche and admitting that I am only human. So, I got stressed. I got really really stressed last weekend.

It all started with a budget. I am very proud of my budget making abilities, but sometimes do not have the foresight or the discipline to include things like tax and just that one extra little thing I want to buy for somebody. Anyway, I have been doing really well this year. I think better than last year. So, I have been traveling around to the local stores here with a modest Christmas envelope, set aside just for gifts for our loved ones. I had allotted one last portion of the money for a couple gift. I even planned the day with a friend to go to the specific store and buy the specific thing (the store is magical and so you usually want to ask someone else if they need to go too). Anyway, what I wanted to buy was a beautiful glass casserole dish that rests in a silver holding piece with a Fleur de lis design. The collection is beautiful, and I have loved the one that I have so very much.

When you pick a display piece at the store, the associates usually go to the back and find one in a box for you. This was the case that Saturday, and the associate asked me if I would like it gift wrapped. Well, I had planned to demonstrate how to gift wrap a package on this blog, so I said, "No thank you", and moved on my merry way. Two hours later, I removed the dish from the bag to show Jacob, and to my horror, it was in a million pieces on the tile in seconds. The bag was narrow, the package was in the narrow bag sideways and un-taped. Whoops. In total shock, I began cleaning up the pieces, thinking about saving up in the weeks to come for a new casserole. As we continued cleaning, I thought I should at least try to take it back. The way it was laying in the bag didn't really make sense, and I thought I might be able to get a discount on another or buy the display at a markdown.

I entered the store with a dented silver holder, a miraculously in tact lid, and a thousand tiny shards of glass that used to be a casserole dish. I explained the situation. Of course the woman who put the dish in the bag was the first to say, "If the product left here in good condition, there is really nothing we can do about it". I picked up my box and said, "Thank you, I understand". And I did. I had some blame in this situation for not being more careful when I removed it. Almost to the door, I heard someone say, "No, no come on back in here". I turned, probably with the blood drained out of my face as the manager asked, "Is the silver piece alright? I could probably get another casserole sent to me no problem". "No," I said, "It has a pretty big dent in it". He took it back anyway.

The lady at the counter chimed in, "All we have left is the display". The manager took that display dish and delicately wrapped it in tissue paper. Another associate said, "Let him gift wrap that for you. He does the most beautiful bows". I could not believe what was happening. As my eyes filled up to the brim with tears I told them that it was really not necessary. After gentle prodding, I accepted the gift wrap, and watched, overwhelmed by kindness, as he took his time making that box look beautiful and treating me like I was the most important customer of the day. By the time it was all said and done, I couldn't even speak. Tears just streamed down my face as I attempted to get out a "Thank you".

I cried the entire way home. I cried a good 30 minutes after I got there. Something about the contrast in behavior and attitudes struck me. Being met with someone with such little empathy to someone displaying such a selfless and overwhelming act of kindness was exhausting. The shock of it was like ice bath to sauna in an instant. One experience definitely out shined the other, and I left the store with an indescribable feeling. I loved it before for the products it sold, but now I have respect and amazement for the service and the compassion. If you live in Enterprise, AL, you have probably been to "Pure Imagination". It is a great store. It is the store I am talking about in this blog. I just felt like I should write about it, saying "Thank you" in the best way I know how. That day felt like such a blessing, and it could not have come at a better time of the year.