I was a young mom in 1982, barely an adult myself, with one toddler and a baby on the way. I was so poor that life was a daily struggle. One thing I was adamant about though, I was not going to accept any charity or government handouts. No one in my family ever had, and as far as I was concerned, no one ever would. In fact, this is what I was mumbling under my breath as I scrounged through the kitchen looking for something to make for breakfast. I managed to find one egg and as I was cooking it, the doorbell rang.
          I looked out the window and saw an older woman I had never seen before. In her hands she held two large grocery bags. I opened the door and she began to explain to me that she was cleaning out her cupboards because she was going out of town. She hated to waste all that food and wondered if I would like some. Well, as usual I bristled, ready to tell her I did not need her charity. But then I looked into her eyes and something there caused my heart to melt. Those eyes were pleading with me to let her help, begging that I would not be insulted by her offer, that I would not turn her away.
          It was then that I realized it takes two parts to make a gift, the giving and the receiving. And by accepting this woman’s gift, I could give her the greatest gift of all. I could give her the opportunity to be a hero.
          I reached out and took the bags, thanking her, and she smiled back in gratitude. I watched her walking away as I unpacked the groceries, and even from behind, I could tell that she was glowing.

Copyright © 2004 Anna Clay