The voice on the other end of the telephone said there was something we should know about.
“Something special,” she added.
She asked if we were aware of a young boy on East Kibby Street who appeared to be running a lemon-aide stand. Then she started explaining.
“It’s cold, rainy and windy out there, and here he is, this young boy, trying to sell people something to drink,” she said.
Exactly what to drink, she couldn’t tell. But what she saw was not only enough to get her curiosity going, but also her concern.
“I was on my way home but I circled around the block, parked my car, and asked the child how old he was and what he was doing,” she said.
“He told me he was 9 and had a 5-year-old brother. He was very polite and explained that he was trying to earn some money so his Mom would have a nice Christmas. He was trying to sell hot chocolate. The more he talked, the more my heart broke.”
It brought back memories from her own childhood. She was one of six children, and while Christmas was always special, there was never a pile of presents.
“I know that young boy goes to school after Christmas and hears all the stories from the other kids about the wonderful things they received for Christmas. If you ever experienced that at that age, it’s pretty tough.”
This boy, however, she said was so different.
“All he could do was think about his Mother. He wasn’t thinking of himself, he was thinking of his Mother. He wanted her to have a special Christmas. Never mentioned himself.”
She made a donation and ended up meeting the child’s mother, who broke out in tears when she heard what her son was doing.
The women then called The Lima News asking if the Kibby Street family could be included in the Adopt a Stocking Fund, which the newspaper and Salvation Army are currently hosting. The fund seeks donations to help brighten the Christmas of those in need.
“I’m telling you, this boy is what the season is all about,” the caller said.
We couldn’t agree more.
ROSES AND THORNS: Ohio State’s win over Michigan was a gas for one lucky Buckeye fan.
Rose: To Gary Kesler, of Elida, who won The Lima News prediction contest and a $50 gas card by correctly predicting Ohio State would beat Michigan by 29 points. Of the 52 people who participated, only three picked Michigan to win. Kesler had the score at 46-17 while the Buckeyes won 56-27.
Rose: To Ottawa resident Todd Rye, who appeared on Cash Explosion on Saturday. The manager at Walmart won $60,000 before taxes.
Rose: To Habitat for Humanity in the Lima area. It completed its 54th home earlier this month and will begin home number 55 in the spring.
Rose: To The Lima News players and coach of the year in high school football: Shaun Thomas of Lima Central Catholic (top offensive player), Luke Fackler of Wapakoneta (top defensive player) and coach of the year Wes Schroeder of Allen East.
Thorn: Three people were hit by stray gunfire at the end of November in Lima. Michael Gooding and Leroy Smith were hit while walking near the intersection of Reese Avenue and East Second Street. Krystal Cuff was wounded while inside her apartment at Brower Commons. Her apartment was one of two apartments at Brower Commons hit by gunfire.
PARTING SHOT: “Christmas doesn’t come from a store, maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more.” ― Dr. Seuss
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