In 2001, after Ben and I got married, I was a freshman in college. I attended William Tyndale and loved it. I met a girl there I will never forget. I have forgotten her name though.In December of 2001 I was around 3 months pregnant and getting ready for Christmas break. Ben and I were BROKE, as Broke as Broke gets. I was thrilled to turn in my books at the end of the semester to get money back for them. We had no money, a baby on the way, none of my clothes fit very well anymore and I was nauseated all the time.
Well, as Christmas approached I attended classes and had become friends with a girl in one of my classes. She was african american, wore glasses, had a very pretty face, dresses well (probably on the expensive side) and if I remember correctly she drove a nice car. On the last day before winter break she handed me a little silver box and told me she wanted to get me something for Christmas. I said thank you, gave her a hug and she went my way and I went mine. As I walked away I opened the box and there was a gift card for $100 to MIMI Maternity. I couldn't believe it. $100! And to a maternity store! I couldn't believe that someone who didn't know me very well would do something so nice for me. I didn't have her phone number or email (I didn't even understand email back then) and that was my last day at William Tyndale so honestly, I really did never see her again. But, every time I think about her I smile. I still remember what I bought with that card. Luckily MIMI Maternity was also linked to Motherhood so after seeing the prices at MIMI's I ran right to Motherhood and bought 2 pairs of pants and 2 shirts. What a HUGE gift from God that girl was too a 18 year old broke pregnant girl.
It is instances like that that have turned me into who I am today. I still remember probably every dollar that was give to Ben and I during those hard months and I am still so thankful and indebted to everyone who helped us.
Very often I have looked back and been thankful for God teaching me thru our hardship to be kind and generous towards others. It was such a special time of God shaping Ben and I that I am so thankful for.
This morning I was in the shower and remembered that girl and that gift card and it still brought a smile to my face and a tear to my eye. It's the little things that matter, kindness to one another is so important.
Speaking of which:
Have you emailed Great Grandma Corey lately?
grandoaks2001@yahoo.com
attn: Pearl Corey
6 comments:
I just wrote grandma corey! thanks for the reminder. I love you and hope you all come over Tuesday
That was sweet of you to remember Grandma Corey. I always stop to see her when I am up north and most of the time she does not know who I am but I know Gordy would want me to.
You know, she may not OUTWARDLY know who comes and sees her or who sends her stuff, but on the inside, somewhere she might so I think it is important for you to stop and see her and for all of us to stay in contact as much as possible. You never know what may be in her heart that she is unable to express.
That is true, thanks for the reminder. I love thinking about all the fun and mischief Vicki got into (not me ;))we had such a great time with her.
A beautiful story. I was telling my massage therapist about our adoption story and we started talking about her infertility issues. The woman lost 8 babies to miscarriage [can you imagine?] and during one of her multiple DNC's she had a kind-hearted nurse that holds a similar memory in her mind to your friend. It was miscarriage 5 or 6 and she was so broken she didn't even have the strength to wipe the tears from her face. The nurse sat on the bed with her and wiped her tears and rubbed her hair in silence as she cried...
My massage therapist said she had never experienced such kindness. To this day, the story brings tears to her eyes and she prays blessing on the woman's life every time she thinks of her.
I was really impacted by her story and similar to you, was reminded just how important our kindness is--big and small.
Thanks for the reminder to email G Corey. Thanks for sharing that story too. That was really cool to read. Love you!
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