Many things in our past teach us lessons in
life. We look back upon them as markers in teaching us about life as they shape and form
who we are today. This little incident taught me several lessons in life, above all else,
about being selfish.
Looking back as a small child, I remember a certain Christmas. Like all boys, it was
filled with anticipation of toys and getting together with relatives. This Christmas was
going to be much different however. Mom and Dad sat down with the three of us boys and
said that it had been a tough year and they did not have money for Christmas. I remembered
going upstairs and crying and feeling so sorry for myself.
The next week Dad came home with a sparkle in his eyes. He began telling us that the next
morning we were going to the Salvation Army and each of us boys would be able to get
something for Christmas. I looked into his eyes as he seemed somewhat broken in his
spirit. I did not understand what that look was until I was older.
I thought Saturday morning would never come! I had dreamed all night about what it would
be that I would be able to get. My birthday was two days before Christmas and I had
already figured that I would not get anything much there either, so this was very special
to me.
Dad loaded the three of us boys up in his old rusted car. I remember the torn seat covers
on the back seat and hated to sit there, this time I got the front. We entered the armory
building that housed all the marvelous gifts for boys and girls. As we entered, Dad talked
to a man and he came and said, " Boys, you may have one of anything here you
see." His eyes lit up like magic with the biggest smile I had ever seen. Now I
realize that smile and look was from something inside the soul, one of giving.
I took off to look around. My brothers went to do their thing as I did mine. I soon caught
site of what I had always wanted, a brand new bicycle! It was bright red and had a sleek
design with a leather seat. Oh, just what I must have! I thought and went to find my Dad
to tell him. I ran and remembered my heart pounding like the thunder of a train crossing
the tracks. "Dad, I found it!" I shouted loudly. I took his hand pulling it to
the far side of the room to show him my new found treasure. I lifted my leg and sat on the
soft leather before he got close to me. Then I saw a look upon his face that I did not
like. My heart began to sink as I heard his words. "Donnie, (as he would call me) you
have a bicycle that works fine. You need to think about other boys that do not have one.
They will need and appreciate it more than you, let's leave it for someone else." My
heart sank as tears filled my eyes. It was true I had one, but it was old and rusted and
made a noise turning the corners. The wheel rubbed on the side of the fender too. Then he
said, " Come with me, I saw something that I think you will really like." He
took my hand and we walked slowly through the aisles jammed with endless toys. I looked
down at my feet as I saw my heart sink to the floor. We walked around some boxes piled up
and back in the corner we stopped. He picked up a little toy robot and seemed fascinated
by it. As he wound it up and placed it on the floor...his metal arms began going back and
forth and rolled along it smoothly. It seemed so small, there were many more things there
more exciting than that. He noticed my disappointment and crouched down looking straight
in my eyes. "Donnie," he said. "I feel bad because I have no money to buy
you things you want this Christmas. These things were given by people that want each
little boy and girl to have a nice present and you need to be considerate of others. Now,
can't you have fun with this little metal robot?" I looked at it closer as slowly
bent over to pick it up. His face was painted on and looked like an astronaut. We had just
had a man come back from space in a lone mission circling the earth in a capsule, the
Russians had beat us there. The more I looked at him, I found my mind dreaming of what
encounters he would face in my room. I looked up with watery eyes and said, " Dad,
okay, I will take him."
When we got home, I went up to my room and laid across the bed looking at my new toy. I
was thankful for getting something, but my heart was back by the bicycle. I fell asleep
and woke up to hear Mom call for supper. We had fried chicken as we sat down for our
Christmas eve dinner that night, but before we began eating we always had to pray. This
time he looked at me and said, "Donnie, you return thanks." I lowered my head
like the rest of my brothers and began. It was short I recall, but as I said thank you for
my little toy, I thought of that little boy that got the bicycle. I could see in my mind
that he was very happy because he needed it much more than I did and a peace came to me.
Time had passed, many years went by. The little robot long forgot. I was upstairs cleaning
out some things for my Mother. It was my Dad's things mostly as he had died a few months
earlier. I opened a big box and there was that little broken robot. Now married, with a
child of my own, it brought back those days as if they were yesterday. I remembered the
lesson I had learned of not being so selfish and could see what that lesson had taught me
in my life. I looked up as my Mother saw what I had and the tears in my eyes. "My
son, she said. "I kept it for you even though it is broken and rusted now. I knew you
would want to see it again."
I threw it in a box with some other things because I saw no use to keep it now. It could
never be fixed, I thought. I loaded the car and took the items to an auction to help my
mother get something out of things that were no longer needed. A week later I went back to
get the money and was shocked to see it was so much. I carefully looked at each tab to see
what brought so much. There it was, robot $85.00! I looked up and asked if this could be
right. They said yes because it was an antique now. Old tin toys are very valuable, even
if broken, it makes no difference.
As I got in the car and drove down the road, tears began flowing once more. That little
robot was responsible for teaching me some very important lessons in life and yet as a
middle aged man, it was still teaching me a lesson for my life. That person that gave a
few dollars to buy a robot, gave more to me than he would have ever dreamed of. Since
then, my heart has melted, I see life is made up of giving to others and not thinking of
yourself. It is not the amount that counts, it is your heart!
Author: Donald D. Campbell
10/15/98
