Sometimes it pays to give a little

Ivan and I went out to eat tonight, as we usually do to spare him from eating my cooking. An elderly lady came in and sat down at a big round table, all by herself. I overheard her telling the hostess that it was her birthday. She was obviously waiting for others to join her for her celebration. She waited, finally ordering an iced tea and sipping it slowly. We exchanged smiles. I was tempted to go over and talk to her and wish her a happy birthday, but decided against it.

When the hostess came back in with some other guests--not hers--I called her over and asked her if I had heard correctly that it was her birthday. She said that she had. So, I took the copy of House Call to the Past out of the pocket in my purse, autographed it, and asked the hostess to give it to her and wish her a happy birthday from me.

The hostess explained to her that I was an author and that I was giving her a birthday present. Her eyes lit up like the sky on the Fourth of July. She started talking to me. She asked me if I this was the only book I had written, so I told her that there was a list inside of my other books. She opened the book and found the list. She was just telling me that she had just started reading again after having had eye surgery and she was enjoying it so much. She said it was the best thing she could have gotten. About that time two of her friends showed up and joined her. She immediately introduced them to me like we were long lost friends. She showed them the book, as well as the list of the others. They both wanted to know where they could buy them. I told them they could get them at Barnes & Noble. They said they were going up there on their way home to get one, and they agreed that they would all get a different title and trade them after they were done with them. One of the women looked a little sheepish and asked me if I would mind. I told her that was perfectly fine with me.

As Ivan and I left the restaurant, I felt good. I don't know if they will really go buy some of the other books or not. But all it took was a little act of "giving" to make a special day for a little old lady just a wee bit more special.

You have probably all heard me say it before, but I am a firm believer of the Bible principle: give and it shall be given onto you. I'm just waiting to see what happens next. When I find out, I'll be sure to let you all know.

Make it a great day!
Janet