Taking a break from shopping, he sat down on a Mall bench and began one of his favorite past times, watching people. While doing this he couldn’t help but notice a young mother with her little boy in tow. He could tell they were window shopping, and the Mall was packed. Christmas music was being blared through the sound system, bell ringers were collecting donations, and the Mall Santa had his lap full of squirming, excited children.
He watched as they stopped in front of a toy store and the little boy broke free from his mother and ran to a shiny red fire truck. He watched her take a tissue from her purse and wipe her eyes. Getting up from the bench, he slowly approached them and heard the boy call for his mother.
“Look, Mommy, it’s just like Daddy’s!” he excitedly told his mother.
He watched her burst into tears. Not knowing what to do, he spoke.
“Are you all right? Can I help you?” he asked.
Startled, she glanced at him and began to separate herself from him. A look of fear was on her face.
“Please don’t leave. I’m not going to hurt you. I’m not a bad guy like you hear on the news. If you like, I’ll back away from you. I saw you crying and knew something was wrong. I thought I might be able to help.”
She stared at him, sobbed, and answered.
“His daddy was a fireman. His station was called to a bad warehouse fire. He was trying to get a lost fireman out when a wall collapsed on him and he died. They could see daylight ahead of them and ran for it. The other fireman got out. My husband didn’t. They are calling him a hero.”
“Ma’am, I’m so sorry. Is there anything I can do?” he asked.
“I don’t know. Now it’s Christmas without him and I don’t know what I’m going to do. The bills are piling up and good jobs are scarce. I didn’t have to work while my husband was alive. Now I have no choice. I don’t even have the money to buy presents for our son. It really hurts.”
“Do you have any family here?” he asked.
“No, all my family live in another state. They would help if they could, but times are tough for them too.”
“Church?”
“Yes, they have been helping us. But it is only a bandaid for an open wound. I told Timmy his daddy was in Heaven and I think he really tries to understand. I’m so proud of him. He’s a good boy. He thinks for me he must become a man,” she answered.
While she was talking he got his wallet, removed a business card, and offered it to her.
“Ma’am, I am in need of a secretary. I am an attorney here and am very busy. Can you type? Are you interested?” he asked.
“Are you serious?”
“Yes, ma’am I am. I am also a Christian and I want to help. Monday morning I want you to come to my office for orientation. I think you will work out just fine. By the way, what is your name?”
“Julie Wilkins. And thank you so much. I can’t believe this is happening,” she replied.
“See you Monday.”
Monday morning she reported to his office for orientation. When it was over she was shown her workstation and where everything was located. Opening a desk drawer, she found an envelope addressed to her. Opening it, she found a gift card for the toy store and a note.
“Julie, this is for a bright red fire truck and whatever else you want to get for Timmy. Make sure it is under the tree on Christmas morning. God Bless!”
“Julie wept!
December 10, 2020