A Yearly Act of Service

By: Shannon Ipson


It was December of 2003. I had 2 young children ages 8 months and a almost 2 year old. Things were very tight as they normally are when couples first are starting out with children in diapers and formula. My husband and I had gone over finances and discovered that we had no food for dinner, only 1 more diaper for my 2 year old and about 5 left for my 8 month old. We were almost out of formula and our financial records were screaming nearly to the red. We knew that we were going to have to go without dinner that night and probably a few nights in the future, but the kids needed their items. It wasn't fair to the kids to have to suffer for things that were not in their control.
My husband and I packed up the kids in their pajamas and drove to Smiths to pick up diapers and formula. As we were going up and down isles, wishing that things were different, a man approached me and told me that my children were beautiful. I graciously thanked the man for his kind thoughts and continued up and down the isles. I thought it odd that someone would just randomly approach someone just to tell them that there children were beautiful though. We continued going up and down isles writing down prices of things that we would get when we had more money.
As we went to check out, the same man that had approached us once before turned to us and said "Is that all you are getting?" We told him that it was all we needed. He then did something that we would never expect of anyone that just met us off the street. He told us that he wanted to buy our groceries for the month and that included all diapers, formula and even dessert (he wanted us to buy ourselves some Hagen Daas). We were very hesitant, but grateful for his kindness. As we went up and down the isles yet again picking up our menu items for the month, we knew that we wanted to do everything that we could to thank this man and pay him back when possible.
We got to the register and the man turned to the cashier and told them that he was paying for our stuff. We asked him where his items were, and he said that every year at Christmas time, he goes to a random grocery store and picks out a family that he feels is in need and gives of himself. We asked for his number, but he refused to give it. We asked for his address, but didn't want any thanks. He walked away, but we knew he had not gone out the exit. There was only one way out and we were taking it. I sat there watching for the man to come out the door so we could follow him home, but he never came out. We waited for 30 minutes, but to have nothing happen.
We left that night knowing that we had an angel help us that night. We never saw him again, but that night I went home and immediately wrote in my journal to remind me of that special night and that special man. I taped the receipt to the journal entry to show just what he did for us.
I will never forget his kindness and will continue to do what I can for others whenever I see a need.