I saw two fragile little gals with walkers, the fancy kind with a seat and four wheels, who braved the crowds to be with loved ones.
I saw grandmothers with daughters and granddaughters, three generations of women reflecting strong genetic similarities, mutually committed to the afternoon’s purpose.
I heard patient husbands sound the familiar honk that signaled where they were waiting in the parking lot.
I saw infants in strollers, sleeping soundly through the hubbub all around them.
I saw teenage boys with their arm around mom, giving her their most convincing, charming arguments of persuasion.
I saw giggly teenage girls walking past in craft-inspired flip flops.
I saw a glamorous middle-aged lady with lots of bling in zebra print leggings.
I saw brothers and cousins in overalls carrying heavy packages for the ladies to the pick-up truck.
I saw elementary school children, too many to count, give their parents a significant look as they walked past me.
I heard laughter and joking.
I saw newly-weds reach deep in the pockets of their sweat pants for change to share.
I saw genteel, kindly grandfathers, many of whom had hosted lunch for the whole family, open leather wallets stuffed full of crisp bills.
I heard one young man ask his mom, “What about the change left over from Dairy Queen, Mom?”
I saw toddlers too small to see the top of the kettle stretch to put their first pennies and nickels in.
I saw young mothers begin the process of teaching their kiddoes that there are people in our community that don’t have what they need and that sharing is a good thing.
When I called out the familiar “God bless you,” one lady respond that she certainly needed God’s blessing.
I saw and heard all of this in two short hours on the day I rang the bell for the very first time in my life.
When my relief crew came, it was a spritely, sweet grandmother who claimed that the two teenage granddaughters she brought with her “came all the way from Arizona to ring the bell.”
I hear the Salvation Army still has some places left for those willing to volunteer a few hours of their time. Contact Cindy Bell with The Salvation Army, 903.592.4361.
So much to see and hear in only a few short hours.
Cathy Primer Krafve, aka Checklist Charlie, lives and writes with a Texas twang. Comments are invited at http://checklistcharlie.blogspot.com.
