Priceless

My garage sale went pretty well and could have generated even more Christmas money if my husband had decided sooner to give up the tools he doesn't use anymore. As it went, he came home at lunch-time and started cleaning out his workbench. I had quite a few gentlemen looking for tools early on in the day, not so many later on. Too bad! Maybe we'll try one more sale before the holidays.
I love meeting all of the different people that come and look around at these sales. Some like to share stories with me which I enjoy tremendously! This past Saturday, I was honored to meet a sweet grandmother who was so excited about getting through her last chemo treatment, bless her heart. She was in her late seventies and was helped up my steep driveway by her daughter. Ms. Gloria was her name, and she cheerfully pulled off the attractive wig she was wearing to show me how much hair was already growing back in. She laughed at the wigs I had for sale from Halloween costumes gone by, and told me that her son put on different ones to make her giggle throughout her treatment. They stayed and visited a short time and as they turned to leave, I took her hand and told her I would certainly pray for her joy and blessings. She looked surprised and grateful. I handed her my Mother Goose wig and said it was my gift, and for her son to keep that laughter going!
A beautiful little princess, complete with crown, begged for the book, "Where the Wild Things Are," and her mother said she didn't really need it. I watched her continue to try and read it until they got ready to leave. She looked sad as she put the book back and I thought that was a shame. I pulled that mother aside and quietly explained that I taught preschool for many years, promoted children reading, and could I give her the book? She smiled and nodded yes. The little princess had a royal smile which shined even brighter when my son handed her some Halloween candy.
One of my last customers bought several things and every one of my "Native" magazines. She had the most gorgeous steel gray and black hair which she attributed to her Cherokee ancestors, though she sadly explained that she didn't know much about her heritage. "Learn all that you can," I said softly as I pulled the magazine money back out of my pocket. She wouldn't take it. I walked her to the car, shoved it into the sack, and told her not to lose it as she was putting the car in drive.
Someone in my family asked, "Are you running a sale or a giveaway?" Listen, I got just as much out of the stuff I gave away as I got Christmas money. Those smiles were priceless.