With several dollar bills in my pocket, I head out for my Saturday morning ritual.  I’m never sure what it will yield.  The only certainty is that it will end with a great cup of coffee at Starbucks.  This is the one day each week that I routinely enjoy my quiet time at the coffee shop.

Between home and there, however, there are usually three or four yard sales that I am destined to come upon. There’s little I find more enjoyable than being up early, preferably in the sunshine, just perusing the tables of items, with no particular thing in mind.  The saying, “One person’s trash is another person’s treasure” certainly holds true here.  Just last week, my mother found an old french fry cutter like hers that had long been coveted (by me) for only 50¢!  The thrill was more in the finding of it than the actual price…though the price upped the thrill factor!

Last summer I came upon a neighborhood yard sale.  Those are especially fun.  They often remind me of trick or treating because, on a nice day, I can park my car and walk from house to house.  Part of my love of this “sport,” is striking up conversations with homeowners and fellow shoppers.

As I strolled into her yard, this particular woman was especially friendly.  I could tell she was in a joyful spirit and we had a very enjoyable exchange.  While she had many beautiful things that she was ready to part with, there were none that I needed or wanted.  Truth be told, it can be overwhelming at times and I miss out on some real finds.   More often than I care to admit, someone who comes behind me selects something I just passed by and would have purchased had I only seen it.

I was turning to say goodbye when I noticed a miniature bistro set.  I had never seen anything like it and commented on how adorable it was.  She confessed, “I wasn’t sure I really wanted to sell it.  That’s why I have such a high price on it.”

“Oh, I hadn’t even noticed the price,” I said as I approached to take a closer look.  The tag read $25, which was a fraction of what it cost her, yet still considered high in the yard sale arena.

“Is that an “American Girls” set?” I queried.

“Yes, it is!  Do you like them?”

“Well, it’s more my daughter and five year old granddaughter that are crazy about them,” I chuckled.

“Oh, well then, take it!”

I did a double take, questioning my hearing.

“Take it!” she repeated.

“Oh, thank you, but I just couldn’t!!” I stammered, knowing she had the $25 price tag on it coupled with the uncertainty she had expressed about parting with it.

“No, I’m serious!” she said. Please take it to them!”

“Well, only if I can pay you something for it.”

“I won’t accept anything for it, she continued.  Listen, it will make me very happy to know it’s going to be used and well loved!  I insist!”

Whether she sensed my hesitation or not, she removed it from the display and started to package it for me.  This woman was not to be refused.

After thanking her profusely, I walked away stunned, that she had given me her sweet bistro set.

I went back to my car and sat there contemplating what had just happened.  This woman, whom I had just met, gifted her treasured possession to complete strangers.  Her act of generosity reaffirmed my long-held belief that within each person, there exists much goodness.

Over the next several days, I carried her kindness, tucked inside my heart. This woman awakened in me, a desire to bless each person I encounter in some way.  If asked, she might say she gave me her treasured bistro set.  But the gift I received that day, which was by far the more valuable gift, was the unbridled kindness and purity of heart she so readily offered.