I was standing in the checkout line
My attitude was getting worse and worse
I had no more patience left nor mind
And very little money in my purse

People were pushing and shoving
And taking stuff out of my basket
I had lost my Christmas spirit
And I didn’t try to mask it

It was then I saw the little girl
Paying for a red haired dolly
But it was what happened next
That turned Christmas from sour to jolly

She told of how she’d been here once
To buy medicine for her mother
She had hoped to have enough left
For something, a car, for her brother

“Daddy doesn’t send any money
So Mama says toys are out.”
Right then, I seemed to remember
What Christmas was all about.

The cashier said, “There’s not enough
For your dolly and this toy car.”
I stepped in and said, “Check again.
You’re wrong. I know you are.”

I winked at her and she caught on.
Then, she counted the money, again.
“You’re absolutely right,” she said.
And I saw the little girl grin.

She was so happy she almost cried.
As I paid for the toys
I knew that I had found Christmas
Inside a small child’s joys.

Attr. to Joan (Watler) Wilson

IMAGE: Sensors Quality Management