Christmas Angel

It is two weeks before Christmas and I enter my local Walmart. We are here to get basic household stuff and upon entering my three-year-old son sees the Christmas tree. This tree becomes the focus on his attention, and he starts with the questions right away.

“Momma, Momma, why does that try of white paper people on it instead of Christmas Balls?’

I answer, “Because that is a tree with Christmas Angels on it.” This is not a good answer for the three-year-old, there are more questions to come.

“Momma what are Christmas Angels?” “Well son, a Christmas Angel, is a little kid that needs adopted for the Christmas Holiday. The Christmas Angel’s situation is not like yours, he or she lives in a family that does not have the resources to give the Christmas Angel a good Christmas.” My son thinks about this for all of five seconds before he has something else in mind.

“Momma, Momma we need to adopt a Christmas Angel. I want to pick out the Christmas presents and help.” I do not think twice about this, as I normally adopt an Angel off the tree every year, so I grab an Angel form the tree for him.

“Momma, what is the Angels name?” I look at the back of the Angle, it has a first name and the age of the child. “Micah, the Angel’s name is Amanda, and she is 4.” My son looks at me and says, “Momma, I wanted to pick gifts for a little boy like me. I know the kinds of things he would like! Momma, Momma we have to have a little boy!!” I look at this small child and can not think of anything to say to him. I do not want to discourage his desire to give and help other people so young.

I return to the tree and this time I take the time to look at the Angels on the tree selecting a little boy that is 4, as I can not find one that is three. Yet my own conscious will not allow me to return the little girl to the tree. I look at my son, “Micah, do you think with a little help you could shop for both Angels the little boy and the little girl?”

Looking at me, he cocks his head to the side and says, “I think so Momma!” I just smile at him and off into the store we go. We stop in clothing picking each child out an al-fit, a package of socks and some underwear. Micah picks out the design and color, I pick the size. It is kind of fun shopping with the little guy because he is having so much fun. We stop to pick up the household items we need because they are so close to us. Then we are off to the toy department… Oh the fun.

Micah is quick to pick out a baby doll for the little girl, the doll is dressed in purple and has brown hair. He moves on to the little boy picking up a few hot wheels and then an action figure. It is a toy that Micah has been trying to get me to buy him for the last ten days or so. I have not done this as it is wrapped in Christmas paper in my closet. He then looks at me asking, “Momma can the baby doll have some things she needs?” As if a baby doll needs things, however we get the doll a bottle and a few other little things for a dollar to round out the gift.

We have successfully picked gifts for two angels and did the shopping we came for. I am all about leaving this busy Walmart. Oh, my son has different plans for me. Looking about then at me he says, “Momma will Santa bring the Angels stockings? Momma the Angels need a stocking!”

He picks a purple stocking for the little girl and a blue stocking for the little boy. We pick a few things out for the stockings, some hygiene items, some candy, candy canes and a few dollar toys. Now we are off to check out.

I place the things on the belt in a way that the cashier rings up all the stuff for the Angels and while she takes care of the other order, our household stuff. Micah and I put the stockings together as a team and put each child’s stuff in a bag and tying the bag. Paying for the second transaction I ask the cashier where to take the stuff for the Christmas Angels. She tells me customer service.

Micah and I stand in customer service line and upon reaching the front Micah looks at the lady and says, “Where are the Christmas Angels? We have adopted two and I wish to give them their gifts?” I did not expect this, I watch helplessly as this cashier breaks my son’s heart. She tells Micah, “Sweetie, the Christmas Angels are not here. I will take the gifts and give them to the church people that will give the gifts to the parents.” My son is heart broken and looks at me saying, “Momma, I want to give them the stuff and play!”

Picking up my little guy I tell him the lady is right the Christmas Angels are at home and we can not go there. I talk him into leaving the gift bags with the lady promising him that they will get there. A few days after Christmas Micah receives a card from each Christmas Angel telling him Thank you for the gifts.