The Littlest Gift

I was just finishing my third mile on my morning walk.
I was coming down the hill ready to go home.
The day was ahead of me.
There was meal planning and food shopping to do.

I was deep in thought.
I noticed that the bus stop was empty.
I usually see the elementary school children at this time of morning.
I wondered if they were being driven to school.

I saw the bus come down the street.
It was the bus that usually picks up the children who are standing there.
The bus driver turned in my direction.
It was not the way she routinely drives around our neighborhood.

She slowed down and came to a stop right next to me.
She opened the front door.
She is the sweetest woman.
She reached down and grabbed a small bag that was in a basket next to her seat.

For you, she said as she handed me a small bag filled with candy.
Your smile every morning makes my day, she said.
Oh my goodness, thank you, I said, sincerely touched by her gift.
It means a lot, she said as she began to pull the lever to close the door, Merry Christmas.

Merry Christmas, I said to her before the door closed.
I held the bag close to my chest.
She appreciated my smile and wave each day.
I never imagined something so simple would make her day but I am so glad it did.

My mother used to say, You never get a second chance to make a first impression.
I have heeded her advice throughout my life.
However, smiling each day to a bus driver was not an attempt to make any impression.
I smile at the trash men and recycling men as well.

In fact this week, as they were leaving our street, the driver gave a friendly honk on the horn.
One man rides on the back of the trash truck while the other man drives.
Both wave to me.
That simple greeting only takes a second.

Did you ever think about the fact that people do not need much to be blessed?
Did you ever imagine that a smile or a wave could make someone’s day?
My husband stops each morning for coffee on his way to work.
He told me about the cashier he sees every morning.

She has purple hair, he told me.
You see her as soon as you walk into the store.
She greets everyone with a huge smile.
She asks how you are and tells everyone to have a blessed day.

She really makes everyone’s morning so pleasant, he added.
Have you ever told her? I asked him.
No, he said, as if that is not something he even thought about doing.
You should tell her that she makes the morning so pleasant for everyone, I suggested.

I hope he did.
I never asked him.
I am sure the woman with the purple hair does not realize that she is making an impact.
No matter how early it is, she smiles and makes those few minutes at her register special.

A smile is a gift.
Greeting someone, asking how they are, and telling them to have a blessed day is a gift.
Christmas is the season of giving.
We give gifts to others because we have been given the greatest Gift of all: God’s Son.

(Christmas Time Again, Steven Curtis Chapman)

Christmas time is here
Come and celebrate the best time of the year
The jingle bells are ringing
And the carolers are singing their Christmas songs
Christmas time has come
Can you hear the little drummer boy playing his drum
And everywhere you go, somebody’s wishing you a
Merry Christmas

And Mr. Cole is singing his Chestnut Song
While we decorate the Christmas tree
And I’m still dreaming that a snowy white Christmas
Just might make it down to Tennessee
And it’s Christmas time again
Time to gather with your family and your friends
And thank God for His gift of Love
On Christmas

And Grandma’s baking her pumpkin pie
And her world famous casserole
The kids are playing games on the living room floor
And I’m waiting for my baby with some mistletoe
And it’s Christmas time again
Time to gather with your family and your friends
And thank God for His gift of Love
We’re gonna thank God for His gift of Love
Thank God for His gift of Love
This Christmas

It’s Christmas time again
Oh, it’s Christmas time again
Everybody, sing joy to the world, the Lord is come
And let’s thank God for His gift of Love this Christmas
Hear the little drummer boy playing his drum
We’re gonna thank God for His gift of love this Christmas
Singing joy to the world, the Lord is come

I hear that song each Christmas season and I smile.
It is fun song with a catchy tune.
I just have to tap my toes to the beat.
The song reminds us to thank the Giver for the greatest Christmas Gift of all.

Smile.
Greet one another.
Ask about the other person’s day.
Do it all in the name of the One who was born on Christmas Day: Jesus.

In order to enjoy my family during this Christmas season, I am taking some time off.
God willing, a new Whisper will be published on January 7, 2019.
May all of you have a Blessed Christmas!