Here. You need this

With hours of traveling behind us, Hubby and I needed a break from road noise. We did not want a rest area. We wanted to leave the car, sit down and have a snack that did not require a long wait for the kitchen to prepare food. A fast food joint loomed on the horizon. “Let’s go there. We don’t need a lot,” I said. “And we could use this heap of change to pay for a few fries,” I gathered up the coins we had accumulated. Entering the shop we smoothed down our wrinkled, road weary hair and clothes and ordered. The clerk rang up our order. I opened my purse and counted out rows of pennies (first spend all the pennies possible), nickels, dimes and a few quarters. We had enough in coins to pay for the whole order. The clerk turned, scooped up the fries and handed it to us along with a couple small hamburgers. “Uhh, we didn’t …” I started to say. She quietly ignored at me, motioned “take them” and turned to her next task. We picked up the tray, walked over to a table sat down and laughed ourselves. “We must really look rough,” I said. I picked up the hamburger, thanked the good Lord for the extra and ate it all whether I needed it or not.I was reminded of that gift last week when I read the following Facebook post by Gordon Bell: Before I retired and became destitute and researching the fine art of panhandling, LauraGrace and I were in some Hot Springs department store. Laura was about 7 years old. She needed the restroom. I was standing about eight feet from the ladies restroom door as she tended to business. I worked from home. Actually made a good income. But I wasn’t one to dress up. Not at all. That day I was wearing some old, worn-out faded green sweatpants. Had holes up high. Near the crotch area. Easy to see the color of underwear I had on. Due to living in the country, we had farm critters. So I always wore white T-shirts. The white color deters horseflies. My t-shirts had rust stains from fencing and old blood stains from fence injuries and cuts from working on equipment. Didn’t comb or brush my hair. Always had gray/white facial hair. Not trimmed up either. And I had/have a serious sweating disorder. I’m always soaked; britches and shirts and socks. This middle/aged lady comes up behind me.“Sir…sir.. “Startled me. I come equipped with TBI (traumatic brain injury) which in my model, comes with acute PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) reactions.She was a bit startled. But stuck her hand out, saying “ You dropped this!” She put something in my hand and darted away before I could examine what she put in my hand.It was a $100 bill.Using my rollator-walker, I searched for her, to no avail. I wanted to return it but thank her anyway.LauraGrace emerged from the restroom as I returned.I recounted what had happened.LauraGrace explained “Dad. You dress and look like a street person. You look like you can’t afford anything. That woman probably felt sorry for you.”We left and went to eat at “Purple Cow.” We left the $100 as a tip for the waitress, who probably needed that bill.Sometimes, we can’t explain why we don’t need a gift. When that happens, we can graciously receive the proffered item someone wasimpressed.to give us. Later we can look for ways to pass it along or entrust it to someone who will know where it can be put to good use.