Straight From the Heart} *The Gloves* 1/20/00
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The Gloves
by Ellie Braun-Haley
It was New Year's Day and I had just arrived back in the country after
spending almost a month in the warm mountain valley of a large Mexican
city. I had gone to spend Christmas with my husband who was teaching
anthropology, there in the city of Oaxaca. What a change to be back in
the central part of Alberta, just in time to see the cold winds of
winter bring in a colder front.
I work part time for an agency that provides support to adults who have
mental disabilities and I was scheduled to be at work on New Year's Day
at 9:00 am. I got up at 7:00 that morning and glanced outside,
forgetting that at that time of day there would be little light to allow
me to judge the temperatures outside. I walked outside and the warmth of
the Chinook winds assured me we were in for a good day. I checked the
huge bird feeder and returned indoors to finish getting ready for work.
Feeling secure I did not bother to retrieve my winter gloves from the
van, which Shawn, my husband usually drove.
It felt so good to be back in Canada. I was born in the province of
Alberta and I loved our change of seasons. It was exciting to note the
signs of spring each year outdoors and I loved driving back and forth to
work over the graveled country roads in the fall to see the multi colors
of the farmers fields and take in the beauty of our tiny valley. I also
enjoyed seeing the countryside covered in hoar frost and often felt like
a princess in a beautiful and special land whenever I drove out to view
the wonders of nature.
My first day back at work went well and as night approached I remembered
that the car needed gas. By 8:00 that night it felt a lot colder out as
I rushed to the car to complete a few errands. One of the ladies I
worked with was with me and we had agreed on picking up a video to
watch. When the errands were done we headed for the only gas station
that was open. I didn't want to use that particular station because you
had to pump your own gas and by now I was well aware that the
temperature was quickly dropping and a light wind was picking up.
I drive a Cavalier. It is a great little car, but I always have a
problem in getting the gas cap off, just another reason for using the
stations that still have gas jockeys. And the truth of the matter is I
always enjoy the friendliness at these stations!
By the time I had managed to get the gas cap off my hands woke up, felt
the cold and begged to go indoors! Since I had no gloves with me, I
thought I could put my hand in my pocket and squeeze the gas handle
through my coat. This of course meant that I had to bend over and press
my hip near the open gas outlet.
I knew I was in a funny position and I glanced around to see a member of
the Royal Canadian Police Force looking at me strangely. He was on the
other side of the pumps and also just pulled in to fill his gas tank.
I felt I should provide an explanation. "I know I look silly, but my
hands are so cold and I thought if I put my hands in my pocket I could
use my coat for protection. BUT, that means I have to stand in this
awkward position."
For a moment, he said nothing. He probably thinks I'm a real nut case, I
thought to myself.
Then I heard a voice and saw a pair of gloves sticking out beyond his
gas pump.
"Could you use a pair of gloves?"
I shut off the pump and walked over to the extended brown leather "life
savers".
"Oh yes please." I replied, taking the offering and slipping my hands
into their welcome warmth.
I went back and returned to filling my tank. Then I leaned over, still
holding the handle and noticed that the officer was pumping gas with
nothing to protect his hands from the cold. Then it hit me. The gloves I
wore were not a spare pair that he had. He had given up the warmth to
help me.
I felt grateful, embarrassed, then worried. "But you need something for
your hands too, " I said.
"Oh, I get used to it," he responded. "Don't worry, I'm fine."
In minutes my tank was full and I thanked him, returned his gloves and
went in to pay for my purchase. I felt so elated. I had just been the
recipient of goodness! I was overwhelmed by good feelings and as soon as
the gentleman came in I smiled at him and told him I sure owed him a hot
cup of coffee or something.
He stood there and told me it was his pleasure and I knew he meant it.
What a lovely welcome back to the country I loved.
And so, the gift was small yet to me the gesture was full of goodness.
No life had been saved and nothing earth shattering took place, but the
goodness of another human being surely touched my life. Ah, the
thoughtfulness of this Alberta R.C.M.P. officer!
Ellie Braun-Haley
shaley@telusplanet.net
Send Ellie an email and let her know what you thought about her story!
A little bit about Ellie:
Ellie is happily married to a college professor, Shawn and though they now live
alone they are the parents of five and grandparents of four. Ellie has a full
time job working with adults and children who have disabilities. She lectures and
teaches workshops part time for Colleges and private organizations. She and
Shawn have just published four books. check them out at:
http://www.eaglecreek.org
In her spare time Ellie continues to gather stories
for another book. While you are at Eagle Creek, visit For Goodness Sake to read
the stories of goodness that are contributed.
"I think I was put on this earth to make people happy!" says Ellie
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REQUESTS:
My daughter is at the Boston Shriner's Burn Hospital. She has 90% of her
body covered with third degree burns. She was playing with a candle and
caught herself on fire. By the time I got to her, she was completely
engulfed in flames. I have never experienced something this horrible in my
life. Nothing compares to it. I put the fire out as quickly as I could,
but she still has only an 80% chance at survival. Please please pray for
her. And for us. She probably won't remember this, but the worst for me is
replaying the fire, her screams, the helplessness and fear, over and over
again every time I close my eyes. Please have anyone you can send this to
pray for her. Her name is Jasmine, and although she's strong, she needs a
miracle. They are doing skin grafts, but the only part of her body without
third degree burns are her scalp, buttocks, and a small part of her right
arm, so the progress is very slow. They won't know if she'll survive for
another six weeks or so, so!
please continue praying and checking the page for updates. Cards can be
sent to the Boston Shriner's Burn Hospital (Jasmine Tilton), 15 Blossom
Street, Boston, MA 02114. If we receive the miracle and she lives, it will
be awesome to read over them with her later on and see how much of the
country was praying for her. She survived her first surgery today, six
hours, and they said she is remarkably stable all things considered. Please
pray. I will post my new address here at the hospital (e-mail) after the
page is set up and an account. Thanks for the prayers. Please don't stop
and forward this to anyone who will pray. Thanks again Heather.
Email to: malkemes@channel1.com
A SPECIAL THANK YOU!
From: jfitzger@neocom.net (Jean Fitzgerald)
Dear Michael,
Thank you very much for running our story, "A Portrait in Courage." When
I say our, I mean mine and Julie's. I'm always anxious to give an
account for what God has done for us. Will you please pass along my
thanks to all the people who wrote Julie and me. It was such a
blessing. Julie is pretty much shut-in now except when her husband
is off from work and can take her out. She was very excited about all
the e-mail she received because of the story. Thank you again.
Jean
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Thought For The Day:
"Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see."
(Mark Twain)
Verse for the Day:
"For His merciful kindness is great towards us: and the truth of the
Lord endureth forever. Praise ye the Lord."
Psalm 117:2
Kid's Thought For The day:
"Be afraid of a kid who is never afraid."
Parent's Thought For The Day
There are three stages of a man's life:
1. He believes in Santa Claus.
2. He doesn't believe in Santa Claus.
3. He is Santa Claus.
Coach's Thought For The Day
"By itself, practice does not make perfect. Anyone with a ten year
old son practicing the trumpet may understand that."
(Dr. Daniel Hanley)
Deep Thought For The Day:
"A toast to bread, for without bread, there could be no toast."
(They can't all be good!)
_
/_/\/\ MICHAEL T. POWERS
\_\ / THUNDER27@aol.com http://members.aol.com/Thunder27/index.html
/_/ \ "For I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but
\_\/\ \ Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body I live for the Son
\_\/ of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." Galatians 2:20
"I thought of you first after my family sat down to watch the video
we gave them. They loved it, to say the least! Within thirty
seconds my mom was crying and my dad did too. They said it was
the best Christmas gift we could have given them!! You did such
a beautiful job! They were so suprised and so touched---they
really, really, really loved it. Thanks for helping to make it so
special to us all. My mom mentioned how the songs were perfect for
the video too! Thanks again!"
Kelli (RKaGe@aol.com) College Station, TX
Let me make you a video from your pictures or home movies!
Check out the web page for Michael's video production business!
Video Imagery
http://members.aol.com/Videoimg/index.html