Thank you, Mr. Reporter

Forty-three Christmases ago I watched a parade in a small town only a few miles from my current home. I was only three, but I remember the scene in vivid detail.

I don’t recall much about the parade (except Santa), but I do remember the cotton candy my mom bought me, probably to take my mind off of the blustery winter day. And I remember the man in the long dark coat who ran across the street toward us just as soon as the last float had cleared. While I had been eagerly watching the parade, he had been eagerly watching me.

He was a stranger and at first I felt shy, but when he offered to purchase another round of cotton candy he became my BFF. I couldn’t figure out why my mom would allow a second dose of spun sugar so as soon as it landed in my hands I buried my face to get a big mouthful, just in case my mom changed her mind.

At first the stranger said, “No!”, but as soon as I pulled my face back he was overcome with delight when he saw my cotton candy goatee. He pointed a big black thing at me and the next day my face was plastered on the front page of the newspaper.
  


My mother said he was a reporter. I had no idea what that meant, but I decided that whatever a reporter was, I liked him very much. When I saw my picture in the newspaper I liked him even better.

Way down in my little girl heart something stirred. I connected the dots that this picture + word thing was a good deal. The stranger had been generous. He had taken my ordinary little life and made me feel so special, not to mention I got free cotton candy out of the deal. A tiny seed was planted, an inkling of a desire to do the same for others.

Mr. Reporter from the 1960s, whether you’re still on this earth or not, thank you for that tiny seed. It sprouted, it grew, and now I, too, use my life and words to bless others.

As we celebrate this season of giving, take a moment to remember those who have impacted your writing journey and say a prayer of thanks for them. If possible, send a note, an email, or a text and share your appreciation. What better gift could you give?