an eclectic christmas

My dad has always loved wandering the mall. As a man he remains in the pack as to his thoughts on shopping (he hates it) however wandering through the mall allows him to people watch (which he loves!). I think he must learn a lot by watching people. I know, for sure, it's entertaining.

People walking funny, talking funny, sometime even looking funny. Kids on parents shoulders. Women in a daze. Men on a mission. There's a lot to be learned.

This Sunday I went shopping and I watched. I was at the new H & M clothing store in the Eaton Centre, in downtown Toronto. For a Sunday afternoon the store was buzzing. There were lines for the dressing room. Display tables were now random chaos. Everyone was looking for the right size - but no one could find it. People were pushing by. Everyone looked n a hurry. "Christmas is here," I sighed.

When I had tried on my last piece of clothing and decided what to buy I headed to the cash register to pay. I knew the wait would be long but the shirts were on sale, and a really good deal. . . I'd wait.

While waiting I could only watch. What I saw touched me. There were two men standing about 4 people back from me. The way the line curved they stood right in front of me. Both men were what I would call: Artsy. They had funky haircuts, numerous piercings, and their clothes were somewhat eclectic. "What were they doing in H & M?" I thought. There style, although different, worked for them. They could pull it off, I thought.

A woman had finished paying for her choices and was preparing to leave by putting her wallet in her purse when the young man's attention was taken. I could see him looking at the woman and then at his friend but didn't know what to do. He looked excited, but trapped in shyness. He looked like he had something to say. I waited. He waited. The woman prepared to leave. Finally, he said something. His friend knew what was coming. I didn't. So I watched.

The man said in a soft yet still confident voice, "Excuse me miss? I was just noticing your purse. Can I ask you where you got it?" I could tell the woman was flattered. Slightly blushing she said, "I got it at an art show. A woman I met there makes these purses out of recycled material. This one is made out of old seat-belts, and car upholstery." I couldn't figure out how the artist had turned such every day items into such a lovely piece of art, but I had to admit it was beautiful. The man said, "Do you have a name and number for the artist? My wife would absolutely love these purses, and I'd love to surprise her for Christmas." The woman paused and smiled and said, "I think I do." She began to ruffle around in her purse but after a few minutes I knew she would not find it. The man said, "Thanks anyway," smiled, and the woman was on her way.

My turn was finally up. I proceeded through the regular purchase requirements, and was on my way. As I turned to leave, I notice the woman had come back. She was saying to the creative man, "I was walking down the mall still looking for the name and number and I found it at the bottom of my purse. I thought you might still want to have it. . . For your wife." They smiled, he took the card. . . and she said: Merry Christmas. And I was on my way. . .

As I left the store and met up with my friend I couldn't wait to tell her all about what I had just seen. I was touched by the simple act of love and kindness. . . The man for his wife. The stranger for a stranger.

This is what Christmas is all about. Merry Christmas!