Still Giving
This afternoon as the checker rang up my groceries, I noticed the black rubber bangles she wore on her right wrist. Studded with silver and brass bands, the bracelets were simple and lovely.
I told her I liked them and she told me the story behind them. Made by women in Africa and sold around the world, the m
oney goes to help families affected by AIDS in that country. Then she took off one of the bangles and handed I to me.
Of course my first reaction was to hand it back. “What? No. You don’t have to do that.”
She pushed my hand away. “No, really. If you like it, take one.”
I realize that this is Solvang where we know the grocery store checkers by name. But still. I’ve never had someone take off what they’re wearing and hand it to me just because I said I liked it!
I decided to take the gift from her. If there’s a lesson I’ve learned during this 29 Days of Giving, it’s that whatever you give away will come back to you in one form or another. She was willing to give me the bracelet and even though I haven’t given away any jewelry (yet!) it’s all part of this circle of giving. It’s amazing and beautiful and I’ve been so touched by the simplest encounters.
It’s just a bracelet. But every time I look at it and wear it, it will be a reminder to me of this 29 day journey, of giving, just for the sake of giving.
I told her I liked them and she told me the story behind them. Made by women in Africa and sold around the world, the m
oney goes to help families affected by AIDS in that country. Then she took off one of the bangles and handed I to me.
Of course my first reaction was to hand it back. “What? No. You don’t have to do that.”
She pushed my hand away. “No, really. If you like it, take one.”
I realize that this is Solvang where we know the grocery store checkers by name. But still. I’ve never had someone take off what they’re wearing and hand it to me just because I said I liked it!
I decided to take the gift from her. If there’s a lesson I’ve learned during this 29 Days of Giving, it’s that whatever you give away will come back to you in one form or another. She was willing to give me the bracelet and even though I haven’t given away any jewelry (yet!) it’s all part of this circle of giving. It’s amazing and beautiful and I’ve been so touched by the simplest encounters.
It’s just a bracelet. But every time I look at it and wear it, it will be a reminder to me of this 29 day journey, of giving, just for the sake of giving.