"The Giving Tree"

This week I will call-"The Week of Giving." I opened our blog to write something fun, but I stumbled upon one of my favorite childhood books, The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. I knew right away that I needed to change my post. Hunter and I went to a mattress store on Monday evening. For those of you who don't know, I have injured my lower back. I have not been able to sleep in our master bedroom because our mattress was in horrible condition. On some nights Hunter would crawl into our guestbed with me, but he is too tall to be comfortable. I liked the mattress, but I hated not sleeping next to my husband. I finally gave in, and asked a hard question as a newly married woman. "Babe, can we please buy a new bed?" I figured since it wasn't clothes or a vacation, he would be up for it. It was a necessity. He fully agreed that we should not have to sleep apart. Walking into the bed store I was so excited! I had never been shopping for a mattress-yes I know! I am queen of taking naps, but I have never had to shop for a bed before. It was great! I jumped from bed to bed trying ever plush mattress I could find. The lady in the store was such a nice person. She gave me advice on which bed would be the best regarding our preferences, but mostly my bad back. She pointed out a wonderful mattress for us to try. While we were paying for our new bed, I noticed a beautiful pillow sitting on one of the beds. I laid my head on it, and I was sold. I asked if I could buy one, and Hunter thought sure why not? How much could a pillow be? Wow were we wrong. It was $150. You should have seen Hunter's eyes. I put the pillow down, and I mumbled, "Birthday maybe?!" The woman told me it would be a great investment for my back. She too has had her fair share of back problems and she swore by this pillow! I knew we could not spend the money so I quickly walked away. After we checked out, the woman walked around the corner, and told me, "I would like to give you something. It is a gift from me to you. I'm sorry you have had back pain, and I want you to have this." I started crying in the middle of the mattress store. I was so thankful that this complete stranger to me was giving me a present. I asked if I could give her a hug, and it was the best hug I could have given. I wish there were more "Phyllises" in this world-that's her name ;-) She went above and beyond what a store clerk should do. I was so happy and thankful that I rushed home to try it out! Needless to say I had the best night of sleep ever since my back injury!

This story reminds me of "The Giving Tree." The little boy did not know the tree, nor did he offer anything to the tree. The tree gave everything it had to help the little boy without asking for anything in return. A lot of people are skeptical about this book, saying the boy was selfish. Some even say that the book should not be read to children because it sends the message to take, take, take....I have to disagree. When I read this story, I feel warm inside. The tree wanted to help, much like Phyllis, knowing she would not get anything in return. That is a truly special trait. I don't think there are a lot of people that are like the tree in the story. Everyone always seems to look for what they can get in return. When I left the mattress store I promised the lady that I would pass my kindness on to someone else who is in need of a helping hand. I encourage everyone to do one thing a day that helps someone. Wether it's saying good morning or opening a door for someone, little acts of kindess do not go unnoticed.