“Little Reminders”

The last week had been tough, with people arguing and fighting with each other over little minor things and the weekend had not been much better either!

Now it was Monday morning and I had woke up in a bad mood, wishing that I didn’t have to go in to work and listen to the same people bitch and moan over little petty stuff that didn’t amount to a hill of beans. I had not slept very well and was feeling sorry for myself wishing that things were better. I pulled into the gas station/convenience store to buy me a wake up coffee at 4:35 am that morning, before going in to open everything up at the company.

As I was at the coffee machine getting a large coffee, I heard the little bell on the door ring and watched a little boy about eight years old enter the store. He had a small bag in his hand with about five or six pop bottles and cans in it. He smiled at the clerk and held up the bag for the clerk to see it! The clerk nodded at the boy and said it looks like you got plenty there! The child went towards the back of the store to unload his bag of the cans and bottles.

I walked with my cup of coffee to the cash register and paid for the coffee. As I stepped outside I noticed that there were no other vehicles in the parking lot? How had that little boy come here at 4:35 in the morning? I walked back in to see the child getting a pint size bottle of milk out of the store’s cooler. The clerk asked me if I had forgotten something! I motioned towards the child and said, there is not any cars outside? I know said the clerk… “He shows up two or three times a week with some pop cans to buy his little brother and sister some milk for breakfast”. I always tell him he has plenty and toss a dollar in the register when he leaves here! His mother sometimes comes in drunk and stinking of booze and cig’s and always leaves with more beer, never any milk or bread! I looked at the child as he walks up tothe counter with his pint bottle of milk. He is wearing an oversized sweatshirt that hangs down to his knees and jeans with a large hole in one knee. He has no jacket, no gloves or hat on his head and it is only thirty-two degree’s outside! The boy holds up the milk and says to the clerk do I have enough money?

Yes, plus a quarter extra if you want to get a pack of gum… The clerk says to the boy, as he tosses a quick wink my way!

No, the little boy says… I better save it, in case I need it next time as the clerk hands him his bottle of milk in a sack and the quarter.

I follow the child outside the store and say to him… Would you like a ride home?

No, thank you! I do not get in a strangers car. The boy replies, as he eye’s me with a worried look!

Well now, you really shouldn’t be walking out here in this cold weather all by yourself!

You’re not going to call the police are you, he says with a worried look on his face?

No, I reply. But will you stay here just for a minute? I ask, as I go back in the store and grab a pair of gloves and a hat and as I pay for them the clerk says he will not take them, he is too proud for that!

As I come back out of the store he is at the edge of the street watching me. Come take these gloves and hat here, before you go!

No thank you he says, I don’t take gifts from strangers either!

Well, I say to the boy. I am going to leave them right here and my name is Eagle. Now if you don’t take them, I guess that someone else will! Been nice meeting you my friend, bye now!

As I pulled out of the parking lot in my truck, I look in the rearview mirror to see the child race over and pick up the hat and gloves.

I think to myself then… Eagle, you damn idiot! Why didn’t you buy a gallon of milk for the kid also! I stop the truck and look back, but the kid is nowhere in sight!

After I get to work, someone asks me… Why are you looking so happy?

Because “God” just gave me a little reminder of that my life is very, very good…

“Eagle”

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