In a message dated 12/20/98 8:14:58 PM Eastern Standard Time,
[log in to unmask] writes:

> >The Gold Slipper
> >
> >
> >It was only four days before Christmas. The spirit of the season
> >hadn't yet caught up with me, even though cars packed the parking
> >lot of our local discount store. Inside the store, it was worse.
> >Shopping carts and last minute shoppers jammed the aisles.
> >
> >Why did I come today? I wondered. My feet ached almost as much as
> >my head. My list contained names of several people who claimed they
> >wanted nothing but I knew their feelings would be hurt if I didn't
> >buy them anything.
> >
> >Buying for someone who had everything and deploring the high cost of
> >items, I considered gift-buying anything but fun.
> >
> >Hurriedly, I filled my shopping cart with last minute items and
> >proceeded to the long checkout lines. I picked the shortest but it
> >looked as if it would mean at least a 20 minute wait.
> >
> >In front of me were two small children - a boy of about 5 and a
> >younger girl. The boy wore a ragged coat. Enormously large, tattered
> >tennis shoes jutted far out in front of his much too short jeans.
> >
> >He clutched several crumpled dollar bills in his grimy hands. The
> >girl's clothing resembled her brother's. Her head was a matted mass
> >of curly hair. Reminders of an evening meal showed on her small face.
> >
> >She carried a beautiful pair of shiny, gold house slippers. As the
> >Christmas music sounded in the store's stereo system, the girl hummed
> >along, off-key but happily.
> >
> >When we finally approached the checkout register, the girl carefully
> >laced the shoes on the counter. She treated them as though they were
> >a treasure.
> >
> >The clerk rang up the bill. "That will be $6.09," she said. The boy
> >laid his crumpled dollars atop the stand while he searched his pockets.
> >He finally came up with $3.12. "I guess we will have to put them back,
> >" he bravely said. "We will come back some other time, maybe tomorrow."
> >
> >With that statement, a soft sob broke from the little girl. "But Jesus
> >would have loved these shoes, " she cried. "Well, we'll go home and
> >work some more. Don't cry. We'll come back," he said.
> >
> >Quickly I handed $3.00 to the cashier. These children had waited in
> >line for a long time. And, after all, it was Christmas.
> >
> >Suddenly a pair of arms came around me and a small voice said, "Thank
> >you lady."
> >
> >"What did you mean when you said Jesus would like the shoes?" I asked.
> >
> >The boy answered, "Our mommy is sick and going to heaven. Daddy said
> >she might go before Christmas to be with Jesus."
> >
> >The girl spoke, "My Sunday school teacher said the streets in heaven
> >are shiny gold, just like these shoes. Won't mommy be beautiful
> >walking on those streets to match these shoes?"
> >
> >My eyes flooded as I looked into her tear streaked face. "Yes" I
> >answered, "I am sure she will."
> >
> >Silently I thanked God for using these children to remind me of the
> >true spirit of giving."
> >
> >Tis the Season!! Remember that it's better to give than receive so
> >pass it on.
>
> --------- End forwarded message ----------
>
It is my wish that you all have the very best Christmas possible.

With a WING
& a PRAYER!

Bonnie
daughter of Jim 77/3