Saturday, December 17, 2005
Heart Bursting
You know, there are moments in a person’s life when you experience something that makes your heart want to burst and you can’t help but get teary-eyed. I had one of those moments just this morning.
Still groggy and without my usual fill of coffee I headed to one of the local Target stores to pick up a few holiday gifts for my son. Upon entering the parking lot I noticed tons of police cars… so my first thought was, “Oh no! Target has been robbed!”
Entering the store, police officers were everywhere, but not armed and ready to take down a shop-lifter. They had shopping carts and calculators in hand and were being escorted by young Native American children from the local reservation. It was an amazing sight to see!
Since I’m an inquiring mind and had never seen such a sight, I had to find out what was going on. Come to find out, today was “Shop with A Cop” day where local police departments join together to take children (who couldn't otherwise afford gifts for their families) on a $200 shopping spree. The aisles were packed with excited kids, piling carts full of items for their mothers, fathers, siblings, and other relatives.
Talk about humbling. Oh my goodness, I could not help but smile and cry all at the same time. It was such a touching reminder of what this time of year is meant to be….a season of happiness and giving.
My hat is off to those individuals that not only give of their time, but of themselves to help make the holidays a special time for those in need. Thank you from the bottom of my bursting heart.
Posted by Pam at 5:14:55 PM in Heart Strings (5) | Permalink | Comments (13)
Comments
This is a very beautiful story. Thank you for sharing.Posted by eph2810 on 17/12/2005
You are so welcome!Thank you so much for reading it. :)Be well...
Pam
Posted by Pam on 17/12/2005
Oh, thats so touching. I wish there were more of these - so uplifting :)Posted by marina on 18/12/2005
omg...so touching...*sobs*i have one story to share too. hope you don't mind me taking over. you can delete if you want. =)
i was doing a donation drive with a beauty queen for the pakistan victims some months ago. there's this little girl, about 9, who looked a little intrigued when we were near, so the queen went to her and asked if she wanted anything.
she said she was looking for the one who was collecting for pakistan, and "are you the one?" we nodded, and little melissa opened the container she was holding. in it were notes and coins of all values. she told us that she collected the money from her classmates and wanted to give it all to us, and "please can you make sure this reaches our families in pakistan?"
as melissa emptied the contents into the box we had, the queen couldn't hold back her tears. she cried openly, watched by over 300 people in the shopping mall.
we brought melissa up the stage on the concourse, and there the queen made an announcement proclaiming to all present, "a little girl with a heart larger than any mountains and spans further than any oceans."
*wipes tears*
Posted by liuhua on 18/12/2005
liuhua, that is such a wonderful story. Thank you so much for sharing it with us. :) It always warms my heart when anyone gives, but it is very touching to see young people give. Kudos to that little girl, to all of you, and to that little girl's parents. :)Be well...
Pam
Posted by Pam on 18/12/2005
Probably one of the nicest stories I've read.On the flipside, we also have bikers (Coffin Cheater's, God's Garbage, etc) who make toy runs and they buy toys and send them to kids in hospitals.
It's nice to know that people remember the little kids who don't get it as easy as some of the others and well done to each and every one of those people who take the time to make a difference.
They could be changing a child's view and way of life with just one single selfless gesture.
Posted by Deb on 19/12/2005
Amen, Deb!! To me that is what the holidays are all about..selfless giving. :)Thank you for sharing.
Be well...
Pam
Posted by Pam on 20/12/2005
I hope you don't mind, I linked to your article from a post about a toy drive we did at work.Letters to Santa
Peace,
P. Del Ricci - Dark Glass
Posted by P. del Ricci on 20/12/2005
Philip, I do not mind one bit and I thank you for doing so.I read your entry and my hat is off to you and your co-workers. What a wonderful thing you all did!! Those children are sure to have a brighter holiday because of the heartfelt efforts that were made.
Please be well...
Pam
Posted by Pam on 20/12/2005
Very beautiful, thanks. :)Posted by Matt on 21/12/2005
Matt, you are so welcome. Thank you!Be well...
Pam
Posted by Pam on 21/12/2005
Great and touching story, just in time for the holiday!Posted by Chelsea fc on 21/12/2005
I heard about this on the news, how blessed you are to have been witness to it :). Thank you for sharing! ~Hugs, MichellePosted by Michelle on 03/01/2006
