~*This story is fictional, but it is based on a

true story and although some of the circumstances

have been altered the basic experience was the same*~

It was the day before Christmas–  A very cold one that was pretty normal in Southeastern Idaho.  and the first one my seven children and I would be spending without their father, who had died almost a year before. We missed him very much and this time of the year was especially hard on the children.  My oldest daughter was very sick with the chickenpox, and had been restricted to her bed for the rest of the week.   Because it was a cold, gray day outside, and a light soft white snow  was falling. I felt a great sense of dispair as I scurried around, trying to care for my sick child and care for the other six children as well.  It was then that I realized I was fast running out of badly needed juice for the children. But when I checked my purse, all I found was about $4.00– and this was Not nearly enough to last us for another two weeks when I would again get my check from the cafe where I had worked for over a year now.  That's when I heard the phone ring. It was one of the ladies from our church, and she told me that they had been thinking about us and had something to give us from the other sisters in our ward. I told her that I was going out to pick up some more juice and soup for the children, and I would drop by her home on my way to the market.  I arrived at the home of this wonderful sister about 10:00. She greeted me at the door and aske me to please come in But I told her that I must hurry home to my children because my daughter was not feeling very well. so she handed me a special gift envelope. "We think of you and your sweet family so often," she said, "and you have been in our prayers always, and remember that we love you." When I opened the envelope, I found five $20.00 bills and  a number of $1.00 bills and a gift certificate for $15.00.  In all there was about $150.00.  I was so touched with an overwhelming feeling of gratitude that I broke down and cried.   "Thank you very much," I said, as we hugged each other. Then I drove to a store near our home and purchased some much-needed items for the children.   At the check-out counter I had a little over $9.00 worth of groceries, and I handed the cashier the gift certificate. She took it, looked at it and I could see the tears in her eyes as she tunred away from me for a few minuts.I thought something might be wrong. Finally I said, "Is there something wrong with this gift certificate.  Our church gave it to our family, knowing I'm a widow trying to make ends meet."   The cashier then turned around, with those tears still in her loving eyes, and replied, "Oh, no there is nothing wrong with this gift certificate.  Do you have something for Christmas dinner?"   I told her no, but that was fine because we would manage."  After handing me the change from the certificate, she looked at my face and said, "Honey, I can't tell you exactly why right now, but I want you to go back into the store and buy a turkey,  or ham, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie or anything else you need for a Christmas dinner."   I was shocked, and humbled to tears. "Are you sure?" I asked.   "Yes! Get whatever you want. And get some oranges and apples for the kids."  I felt awkward as I went back to do more shopping, but I selected a fresh turkey, a few yams and potatoes, and some fruit for the children.  Returning to the cashier I placed my groceries on the counter, she looked at me once more with giant tears in her kind eyes and began to speak. "Now I will tell you. This morning I prayed that I could help someone today, and you walked through my line." She reached under the counter for her purse and took out a enough money to pay for the groceries.    Once more I was moved to tears.  The sweet cashier then said, "I am  also a Christian. Here is my phone number if you ever need anything."Then she reached across the counter, touched my face and said.God bless you and your sweet family."  As I left the store and walked to my car, I was overwhelmed by the events of this day and the realization that God loves my family, and shows us his love through this stranger's and my church's kind and thoughtful deeds.  Although many years have passed since that Christmas came and went we talk about it often.  Each year at Christmas time we recall this special blessing and remember to seek out those who need our love and help and pray for guidance that we might find that special family that we can also bless as we had been blessed on this special Christmas day so many years ago.

~*A Grateful Mother*~