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Needing to get something laminated, I headed down to Staples Office
Supply. Getting out of my truck, I saw a Coca Cola stand set up in
front of the store. On the side was a hand-printed poster which
read, “Need donations badly for a heart/lung transplant for Mark.”
I smiled at two women in the stand as I passed them by and entered
the store.
“Well, hello, Roger Dean Kiser,” said Celeste, as I held out a 12X14
poster which my three-year-old granddaughter had made for Judy and
me for Grandparents Day.
“Like to get this laminated,” I said, as I laughed and pointed at
the picture of Madison glued to the poster.
“That’s darling,” she replied.
“Looks to me like she had to use the bathroom real bad when that was
taken.”
“Oh, don’t say that,” said Celeste, as she laughed.
While waiting to get the poster laminated, I stood looking out the
window as people bought a coke or hotdog and handed the two older
women their money to help Mark.
“Here you go,” she said, as she handed me the finished poster.
After paying I looked at the poster, walked out the door, and
headed to my truck— my heart filled with joy the entire time. The
temperature must have been 98 degrees and the humidity was somewhere
around 110.
As I pulled out of the parking space, I once again looked at the two
women running the small coke stand. I reversed the truck, pulled
back into the space, and turned off the ignition. I got out of the
vehicle and walked over to the stand.
“Can I help you today, sir,” said one of the women.
"Are either one of you the grandmother of Mark?” I asked.
“Yes, we both are,” she replied.
I stood there wondering what I should order.
I took out my wallet and looked inside. All I had was twelve
dollars. I took out the money.
“What would you like?” she asked again.
“Believe it or not, all I want is an empty cup.”
Slowly, she reached over and handed me a small empty coke cup.
When I held out the twelve dollars she looked puzzled, but reached
out and took the money.
“Happy Grandparents Day! Tell Mark hello from Roger and Judy and
that he is in our prayers.”
The woman covered her face and turned away.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you,” she said.
“No, thank you for being such wonderful grandparents to Mark.” I
turned and headed back to my truck.
Sometimes in our own joy we forget just how lucky we are.
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