Photo by Highlander
___________________
Twas the night before Christmas and Cynthia sat.
She needed more money, there was no doubt about that.
She worked in customer care for a retailer's site
and she picked up extra hours that day and that night.
The phone rang constantly without a single pause
and she felt like she was busier than good ol' Santa Claus.
At one point the phone rang and she answered on cue,
"Thank you for calling, this is Cynthia, how can I help you?"
"Cynthia," the voice of a middle-aged man said,
"I'll bet you're very busy!" Cynthia nodded her head.
"Yes, sir, we have been," she said with a smile
and the man replied, "I'll bet you haven't had a breather in while!
"Do you have some water or a drink close by?
Go ahead and take a sip. I'll wait, I don't mind!"
Cynthia thanked the man and asked what he needed.
"Well, we both need a chuckle and I don't know how you've been treated."
He explained that he had placed an order not ten minutes before
just as an excuse to call in and cancel it and then a little more.
Cynthia canceled the order and asked what else she could do.
He proceeded to laugh and tell her a joke or two.
She smiled and laughed and thanked him for the break.
The gift he had given her was so thoughtful and great.
As they hung up she smiled and was filled with delight.
That one phone call had made Cynthia's whole night.
~ Cynthia
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12 comments:
Giving - you have done; by all your pictures and prose and encourgement of others. So, thank you!
Giving is not limited to holidays, celebrations, or ceremonies. Frequent giving of one's thoughts, time, labor, or effort helps not just the receiver, but the giver.
Like a breath of fresh mountain air, giving clears the mind. Once given, the word or deed is not remembered so much by the giver, but by the receiver.
It's a warm feeling.
To many people this morning is about receiving. Just remember, before you can receive, someone must give. We have been given much, let's return the favor and participate in the true meaning of Christmas.
Merry Christmas,
Dan
P.S. Laura, thanks for giving us so much of yourself in time and creativity.
Well said anonymous. I’d like to add that giving also helps the observer. As a photojournalist, I have been the recipient of those warm feelings even though I was neither the giver nor receiver of gifts. I have left many a philanthropic event feeling a bit better that when I arrived. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all. Thank you Laura Jayne, your blog is an awesome site to visit.
Lensguysteve,
The only disappointment I have had as a receiver just occurred. It's Christmas Day and my significant other got me a CLAPPER PLUS and a Handbook for Geriatrics, Treatment Of Problem Foot Odor and Care Of The Colon.
I am learning that giving also means forgiving this time of year. Peace to you.
Mindless giving at the holidays is something that has always bothered me. People feel compelled to give presents without forethought or imagination. A real gift is one given from the heart, with much contemplation & joy; something that makes an impact on the giver as well as it's recipient.
The other day my son told me his 5th grade teacher read them the classic Christmas tale The Gift of the Magi. Before he started he told them that this is his favorite book. What struck me as wondrous & heartwarming is that this 29 years old man was willing to share his passion about the message of this book to these impressionable kids...who might now be teetering with the Santa theory.
Now that is a brilliant teacher who put much thought into his gift to these students!
We are much blessed.
Twas the night before Christmas and Cynthia sat.
She needed more money, there was no doubt about that.
She worked in customer care for a retailer's site
and she picked up extra hours that day and that night.
The phone rang constantly without a single pause
and she felt like she was busier than good ol' Santa Claus.
At one point the phone rang and she answered on cue,
"Thank you for calling, this is Cynthia, how can I help you?"
"Cynthia," the voice of a middle-aged man said,
"I'll bet you're very busy!" Cynthia nodded her head.
"Yes, sir, we have been," she said with a smile
and the man replied, "I'll bet you haven't had a breather in while!
"Do you have some water or a drink close by?
Go ahead and take a sip. I'll wait, I don't mind!"
Cynthia thanked the man and asked what he needed.
"Well, we both need a chuckle and I don't know how you've been treated."
He explained that he had placed an order not ten minutes before
just as an excuse to call in and cancel it and then a little more.
Cynthia canceled the order and asked what else she could do.
He proceeded to laugh and tell her a joke or two.
She smiled and laughed and thanked him for the break.
The gift he had given her was so thoughtful and great.
As they hung up she smiled and was filled with delight.
That one phone call had made Cynthia's whole night.
True Story. :)
Maybe giving, this year, means giving peace, for my grandpa, after a whole year suffering umbearably much, finally passed away last Wednesday (December 24th). It was strange for me that he died on Christmas Eve, but I don't know...
So I say he gave my granny peace, for now she can go out of the house without wondering about leaving grandpa alone with the incapable nurses that take care of him...
Thanks so much for this prompt! It inspired me to write a preety story which has not yet been finished, but I will post it here and in my blog when it is! Thak you, really!
Cynthia-
That really made me smile! It is not often that we remember that there are actual people on the other end of the line. Great story and even greater rhyme!
Erin, TesoriTrovati
Way to go Cynthia...DAD
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