It was the Saturday before Christmas, and you could feel the excitement in the air. The tree was up with beautiful angels nestled upon its bows. A new quilted skirt of snowmen had been placed around the bottom of the trunk covering the stand. Brilliant strands of twinkling white lights were aglow. Bing Crosby singing White Christmas was playing on the radio.

I’d just taken my last batch of shortbread cookies out of the oven to cool, when my youngest son came bounding down the stairs. Full of pride and anticipation he commenced to tell me he had finished his chores, and would like his allowance. He had worked hard and diligently that week in order to earn some extra money for Christmas shopping. After handing him twenty dollars he asked if I would have the time to drive him to Beaver Lumber today, as he had one gift left to buy, that was for his father. He wanted to get him something special that he could use at work, and had a specific item in mind. I had a few items that I needed to pick up that day and told him to go and get his brothers and we would head to the store.

My three sons and I piled into car to venture out on this busy shopping day. Snow was falling heavily causing traffic to move along slowly. When we arrived at our destination my youngest son wanted to go into the store alone, and made this quite clear to us. He was determined to pick out the gift for his father, without help from his brothers or myself. The parking lot was busy so I told him to be careful and watch out for cars.

The three of us sat waiting for Garth to make his purchase and return to the car. The snow was starting to get pretty heavy, and I still needed to make a few stops before going home. Forty-five minutes had passed and everyone’s patience was wearing thin. I asked one of my twins to go into the store to see what was taking so long, while I dusted the snow off the car.

Getting back into the car and starting it to warm up, Matt and I see both boys coming out of the store. In his hand, Garth is toting a huge yellow bucket, and has a very big smile on his face. “Mom, Mom,” Garth says with excitement. “You’re not going to believe what just happened in the store.”

“You sure look happy, what happened, and what have you got there?” I asked him.

“I wasn’t sure if I was going to have enough money to pay for this really cool work bucket and tool belt that I got for Dad, so I took the stuff up to the cash register lineup to check. It turned out that I was ten dollars short. There was this man who got his stuff ahead of me, and as he was leaving he heard the cashier tell me that I was short by ten dollars.”

Garth’s brother Allan interrupts, “I thought Garth was going to start crying when the cashier told him he was short ten dollars. Garth starts telling the cashier that it’s a gift for his Dad. The man ahead of Garth hands him a ten dollar bill, says Merry Christmas son, I am sure your dad will love this gift. Then he leaves the store.”

Garth jumps back into the conversation. “Mom, I told the man that it was alright and tried to hand him his money back, but he said he wouldn't take it. I said thank you to him as he walked away. Wasn’t that so nice of him, it really surprised me. He didn't even know me!”

I had Garth and Allan look around as we were driving out of the parking lot to see if they could see this kind and generous man, but he was nowhere in sight.

This was an act of kindness that Garth and the rest of my family will always remember.

© 2011 Susan Zutautas

Comments

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on November 18, 2017:

Thank you so much Peggy!

Peggy Woods from Houston, Texas on November 17, 2017:

What a wonderful story about the generosity of an individual helping fulfill a child's wish at Christmas. Knowing that the child was yours makes it even more special. Passing it on is the best way to spread the joy of that moment.

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on November 17, 2017:

Thank you Peg. I love sharing this story :)

Peg Cole from Northeast of Dallas, Texas on November 16, 2017:

This really demonstrates the true spirit of Christmas. What a beautiful story.

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on December 04, 2015:

Thanks so much RTalloni.

RTalloni on December 02, 2015:

Lovely and heartwarming to see this again. May your work to share the incident inspire others!

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on January 04, 2015:

TreasuresBrenda, It sure did :) Happy New Year!

Treasures By Brenda from Canada on January 02, 2015:

Lovely story! What probably was not a big deal to the man was a very big deal and left a lasting impression on your young family.

Rachel L Alba from Every Day Cooking and Baking on December 26, 2014:

I bet a picture from your balcony would be equally beautiful in the fall.

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on December 26, 2014:

Thanks Rachel, I took the picture off my bedroom balcony one year.

Rachel L Alba from Every Day Cooking and Baking on December 25, 2014:

What a lovely story, and the picture is beautiful. Something from a post card. Thanks for sharing. Merry Christmas.

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on December 04, 2014:

Thanks for coming back Audrey and letting me know.

Audrey Howitt from California on December 03, 2014:

Thought I would come back and read this--just beautiful Susan!!

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on November 25, 2014:

Hi Thelma, So glad that you enjoyed my story.

Thelma Alberts from Germany and Philippines on November 24, 2014:

What a wonderful story to tell! It always makes me happy to hear that there are still kind people around us.

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on December 11, 2013:

CraftytotheCore, Thanks so much for reading, it's always so nice to see you.

CraftytotheCore on December 10, 2013:

I love it when that happens. Thanks for sharing this incredibly sweet story.

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on December 10, 2013:

DzyMsLizzy, Oh I could name quite a few myself too :) Thanks so much. I have a board on Pinterest called Random Acts of Kindness that I just invited you to pin to if you'd ever like to do so.

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on December 10, 2013:

Thank you Alicia!

Liz Elias from Oakley, CA on December 09, 2013:

**Also pinned---the 'edit comment' function was not working...

Liz Elias from Oakley, CA on December 09, 2013:

What a wonderful story. The world needs more people like that, and fewer focused on their own selfish wants (... I could name several politicians and CEOs...).

Thank you for sharing this insprational tale! Voted up, beautiful, awesome and shared!

Linda Crampton from British Columbia, Canada on December 09, 2013:

This is a beautiful story, Susan! What a lovely act of kindness from a stranger. It's an inspiration for all of us.

Amelia Griggs from U.S. on December 04, 2013:

Hi Susan, I couldn't seem to find a way to send you a message, so I'm leaving you a comment here...I just put my random act of kindness story (which you inspired me to write) online, so if you go to my main hubpage, it's the second one in rotation at the top in my "In The Spotlight" hubs.

Thanks again for your inspiration!

Regards,

Easylearningweb

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on December 03, 2013:

Thank you so much RTalloni!

RTalloni on December 03, 2013:

Glad to see this again and to help highlight the wonderful event that your boys experienced thanks to the kindness of a stranger. On Pinterest now so am pinning to my Leadership/Character/Heroes… board.

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on December 03, 2013:

Diana, So nice to see here :) Garth is pretty special and I love him so much!

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on December 03, 2013:

LongTimeMother,

Dee,

Easylearningweb,

Thank you all for reading and for all your comments.

Dee, Garth will be 21 this month, and yes he still remembers this.

Easylearningweb, I'll be looking for your story and so happy that mine inspired you to write about your story.

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on December 02, 2013:

torrilynn

Shryon

Karen, Yeppers good ole Beaver Lumber :) I think it's been bought out or renamed to Home Hardware since I first wrote this story..

Thanks so much for reading and for the comments.

good ole beaver lumber :)

Diana on December 02, 2013:

Stories like this fill me with joy. I want to be just like the boy and the man in this story.

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on December 02, 2013:

Dianna, Phyllis, and Moonlake, Thank you all so much for reading and for all the lovely comments.

Amelia Griggs from U.S. on December 01, 2013:

Oh wow, what a wonderful story to share, especially around Christmas! My eyes are filling up with tears as I write this. What a touching, beloved story, and yes, I agree that man is a living angel. I wonder if he knows how many lives he touched with his random act of kindness.

This reminds me of a random act of kindness I experienced in my past on a snowy day when my kids were little. You have inspired me to create a hubpage for my story. I'm gonna go get busy and write my hubpage now, so hope we cross paths online again and share more of our stories to inspire others to also share.

Happiness to you,

Easylearningweb

Dee aka Nonna on December 01, 2013:

I don't know how old you son is now, but as long as his lives he will always remember that Christmas , and a man who through an act of kind generousity, made it all very special. Wonderfully, amazing story. Voted up, awesome, and beautiful.

LongTimeMother from Australia on December 01, 2013:

lol. Great hub, Susan. It was timely that it showed up in my feed today. I made up the difference for a young lad embarrassed by not having enough money this morning. Perhaps he'll go on to be as honest and helpful as your son. That would be nice. :)

Karen Silverman on November 30, 2013:

Is there anything better than random acts of kindness? Beaver lumber you say, EH? lol

Adorable story, Susan. Glad i caught it on the feed!

Have a great holiday season (ANOTHER great holiday season, i should say!)

sharingxx

Shyron E Shenko from Texas on November 30, 2013:

Susan, I like RAKs, but most acts of kindness are random. This is a heart warming story.

Voted up U/A/B/I, and shared.

Shyron

torrilynn on November 30, 2013:

Oh wow that was amazing. There are still some really great people out there in the world. Voted up.

moonlake from America on November 30, 2013:

What a nice story and what a nice thing the man did for your son. There are good people out there. Voted up.

Phyllis Doyle Burns from High desert of Nevada. on November 30, 2013:

Susan, this hub is awesome and touches my heart -- thank you for sharing this very special story. It is proof that there are still kind people, and Christmas Angels, out there. Such a lovely, uplifting day for your son, and all of you.

Dianna Mendez on November 30, 2013:

This is the true Christmas spirit. I love that your son learned the lesson of random acts of kindness so young. He will spread this love onwards. Hugs!

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on December 29, 2012:

Debbie and Vicki, Thank you both and Happy New Year.

Victoria Lynn from Arkansas, USA on December 28, 2012:

That's precious. I love reading stories like this--that are real life stories!

Deborah Brooks Langford from Brownsville,TX on December 28, 2012:

Susan I bet that man was an Angel from God.. isn't that wonderful;? what a wonderful hub..

I am sharing

Happy New year

Debbie

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on December 20, 2012:

Hi KKG, Yes and one he'll always remember. Thanks so much and you have a wonderful holiday too.

Susan Hazelton from Sunny Florida on December 20, 2012:

What a wonderful gift that man gave to your son. It just goes to show you that some people think with their hearts. Wonderful story. Have a wonderful holiday.

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on December 06, 2012:

Hi Eddy, Thanks, I'm so glad you enjoyed this story about my son. Have a wonderful Christmas.

Eiddwen from Wales on December 06, 2012:

What a beautiful story Susan.I loved it and isn't it so heartwarming to hear that there is still generosity in this world.I vote across/up and share this true gem.

Have a wonderful day .

Eddy.

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on October 27, 2012:

Janis, Glad that you liked the story. It was one of my favorite memories to write about.

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on October 26, 2012:

GoodLady, Yes a Christmas Angel for sure. Glad you liked this story. It was such a special day for all of us.

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on October 26, 2012:

Karen, Thanks so much and glad this put you in a festive mood.

Janis Goad on October 26, 2012:

I bet somebody helped that man when he was a child, and he never forgot it. He is paying it forward, and look what a random act of kindness means to a child who is expressing his unconditional love for his father.

I really, really like this story, Susan. Thanks for sharing it.

Penelope Hart from Rome, Italy on October 26, 2012:

He was a Christmas Angel. I love hearing about angels. Thanks so much. It's a very dear story. Please tell your son that someone you know believes it was an angel because he is so special.

Karen Creftor from Kent, UK on October 26, 2012:

What a beautiful story! A similar thing happened to me once and I never forgot it, so I always try to be that person too to pass it on :)

Aww I feel really festive now :P I might have to put some Christmas music on hehe.

Voted up, awesome and shared xxxx

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on October 25, 2012:

Judi

Jellygator

& Wilderness, Thank you all for reading and for your comments.

Dan Harmon from Boise, Idaho on October 25, 2012:

A beautiful Christmas tale, and one that both you and your family will remember for years. That man left a mark, didn't he? Would that more of us were willing to go that little extra and leave someone with a happy memory.

jellygator from USA on October 25, 2012:

I love stories like this. My husband is the kind of guy who would do that. It's one of the reasons I love and admire him so much.

Judi Brown from UK on October 25, 2012:

That's a lovely story - restores faith in humanity. Will be sharing this for sure.

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on September 09, 2012:

Thank you Audrey.

Audrey Howitt from California on September 08, 2012:

We are our brothers' keeper--lovely write Susan -touching and heart -warming as we start the seasons an-----

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on February 01, 2012:

Frog Prince, Thank you so much, glad you enjoyed this.

The Frog Prince from Arlington, TX on February 01, 2012:

Great Hub and writing Susan.

The Frog

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on December 13, 2011:

Zac, Thank you so much for your comments and for reminding me to go and check to see when It's A Wonderful life is on.

Zac828 from England on December 13, 2011:

That is such a lovely story, I love things like that at this time of year, it shows us that regardless of everything else, we are all human and all have a heart. Now I want to watch It's A Wonderful Life!! x

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on December 13, 2011:

rebecca, Thank you, glad you liked it.

Rebecca Mealey from Northeastern Georgia, USA on December 12, 2011:

Very cool story. And kids will model the behaviors they encounter.

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on December 12, 2011:

Frank, Thank you.

RTalloni, Thank you so much and Merry Christmas to you and your family!

mljdgulley, Thank you, glad you enjoyed it.

RTalloni on December 12, 2011:

I should have framed my comment in the specific context of this being a true account of the incident! Thanks again for sharing it with us! Hope to see it highlighted many times over!

mljdgulley354 on December 12, 2011:

This is truly a wonderful story. I am so glad it is true.

RTalloni on December 12, 2011:

What a precious Christmas story! It makes me want to go to a store and help a child buy a gift for a parent! I have a feeling that Garth will grow up to "pay it forward!" What fine young men you have raised to have good presence of mind and be so polite in such a situation! Thank you for sharing this story--tell your boys, "Merry Christmas!" for us! :)

Voted up!!! I'm going to go through the comments now.

Frank Atanacio from Shelton on December 12, 2011:

What a refreshing short.. yep... had to go up and awesome :)

Lilly May Rose from Australia on December 10, 2011:

Nice to meet you too. Loved it. : )

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on December 10, 2011:

Little Light, Nice to meet you and glad you enjoyed my story. There are angels among us.

Lilly May Rose from Australia on December 09, 2011:

I just adore this story... It is beautifully written and just makes me realise the power of such a small act of kindness. Sometimes we forget just how easy it is to show love to others. I too believe angels walk among us, and I also like to think that we can be angel in the life of another.

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on November 27, 2011:

CloudExplorer, Thank you. There is no better joy than the "Gift of Giving".

Mike Pugh from New York City on November 27, 2011:

Such a beautiful truthful life experience during a wonderful time of the year, I to have had similar experiences of this kind gesture the man rendered to the young person in your hub.

I kindly repaid these kinds of gestures done for me in differing ways all throughout my experiences as an adult year after year.

There's nothing like the gift of giving from the heart & without regard to receiving anything back in return. One time I gave a complete stranger $300.00, now that was really extreme, but they needed it much more than I did at the time.

Voted up as beautiful & Awesome & thanks for adding me to your G+ location Susan, that's how I found this awesome hub. Your new Budd, Cloud Explorer....

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on November 18, 2011:

Sharyn, Thank you I am so glad that you liked it.

Sharon Smith from Northeast Ohio USA on November 17, 2011:

Hi Susan,

I wonder if the kind gentleman has any idea how many lives he has touched? Great story!

Sharyn

Mary Craig from New York on November 13, 2011:

How nice to know there is still goodness in the world and especially to children. Thanks for sharing.

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on November 13, 2011:

Shadesbreath, There are still good people out there. Thank you, glad you liked it.

Shadesbreath from California on November 12, 2011:

See, there are still good people out there, despite what the 24-7 news cycle and the general cynicism of the media would have us believe.

Nice story, nicely told.

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on November 11, 2011:

jfay, What a nice guy!

jfay2011 on November 11, 2011:

that's really nice when people do that. A guy I dated once paid for a guy's meal who was a head of us at check out. His credit card wasn't working.

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on November 10, 2011:

Peg, Thank you, makes me happy that you liked it.

Peg Cole from Northeast of Dallas, Texas on November 10, 2011:

Simply beautiful Susan. That was a story well worth sharing. I loved it.

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on November 06, 2011:

Teresa, Thank you for stopping by and for commenting.

Teresa Coppens from Ontario, Canada on November 06, 2011:

Stories like this brng back faith in man-kind. What a beautiful experience for your family at Christmas and especially for your young son. Susan, this was a very inspirational story. Thanks for the read.

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on November 04, 2011:

Genna, So nice to see you. Thank you so much.

Genna East from Massachusetts, USA on November 04, 2011:

Beautiful story, Susan. I only wish more people had this generous and understanding spirit of the heart in their daily lives. When I read about the indifferences of people the news, I feel like taking heart-warming stories such as this and sending it to them!

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on November 04, 2011:

Hi Sue, Thank you. Yes he sure did.

Sueswan on November 03, 2011:

What a beautiful story.

This kind stranger had the true spirit of Christmas in his heart.

Voted up, up and away!

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on November 03, 2011:

resspenser, Glad you liked it. Thank you.

Ronnie Sowell from South Carolina on November 03, 2011:

Neat story and well written. I'll be back!

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on November 03, 2011:

WannaB, I do hope he does. Thanks for the comments and glad you liked the story.

Keith, The little things can brighten up ones day.

Ania, Thank you for reading and commenting.

Ania L from United Kingdom on November 03, 2011:

It's so good to know there are still people like this man living out there. It makes me feel that not everything is lost. Great story, thank you.

Keith Matyi from Denton, TX on November 03, 2011:

The little things in life mean a lot!

Barbara Radisavljevic from Templeton, CA on November 02, 2011:

What a great Christmas story! I agree this will leave an impression on your son's soul. I imagine he might return the favor to some other young boy when he's a bit older.

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on November 02, 2011:

Jane, Sorry to make you teary eyed. Thanks for reading.

Jane@CM on November 02, 2011:

Okay that made me teary eyed! What a great moment for your son!

Susan Zutautas (author) from Ontario, Canada on November 02, 2011:

Bill, Thanks and he has a few times now.

viking, It sure is.

Ruby, Always glad to brighten your day :) Thank you.

Ruby Jean Richert from Southern Illinois on November 02, 2011:

Lovely story Susan. There are good people everywhere. We just don't hear about the good, it's always the bad. Thank you..You brightened my afternoon...

L M Reid from Ireland on November 02, 2011:

Kindness is a wonderful thing, always nice when it happens.