'Tis the Season to Be Giving....

I have a hilarious story to tell that I just can't keep to myself anymore. Today, Hailey and I were at the store. We were in the checkout line and they had a big bucket of money that was for donations to those less fortunate. Prior to this time, Hailey and I have talked a lot about helping other people in need and why we help people less fortunate than ourselves, especially at this time of year. So, when Hailey saw the large bucket of money and change she asked what it was for. I was in a hurry and quickly told her it was money to help people have a nice Christmas. She asked if she could have some money to donate, and I said that was great and to get some money out of my coat pocket and put it in the bucket. I was so busy watching the clerk ringing us up to make sure she gave me the right price on every item that I didn't even notice Hailey's small hand digging into my RIGHT coat pocket. It just so happened that at the very moment Hailey was depositing the money she scraped out of my pocket I happened to glance over and notice a $50 bill sliding right down into the bottom of the bucket never to show its crisp green face to me ever again! My throat went numb....I couldn't move. I tried to compose myself before I said anything that would wipe the satisfied and proud look off her face. I didn't know what to do. I knew that $50 was such a huge sacrifice f0r me at this time of year and at this time in my life, but was I really going to try and plunge my chubby hand in the tiny, narrow opening and fish around for my $50 in front of all these witnesses? I looked over at Hailey once more and seeing for the second time in a row the look that we should all have at this time of year I decided to let it go. I paid for my groceries and tried not to stare at the bucket of money all the way out the store. I got to the car and asked Hailey how she had felt giving that money to someone who really needed it and she confirmed to me that I had done exactly the right thing by leaving the money as much as it had hurt me to do so. I started my car and reached into my LEFT pocket to find the $1 bill that I had thought Hailey had grabbed and went to the nearest gas station to get me all the Diet Coke I could get! Merry Christmas!