The Coat

Dennis and I celebrated our 9th anniversary recently. For the past nine years we have been downsizing almost daily. We moved two households into one smaller house and have tossed, given away, sold and bartered belongings through three moves into new homes. It's been easier for me - I have always been a thrower. But Dennis is a collector, and he does not like to give up his things. One of his favorite items to acquire is coats. However our new condo has limited storage space, and we have had to come up with a household rule - one new purchase means two items of the same type must be given away.

On Saturdays, our part time PCA, Susannah comes and gets Dennis ready for the day. She has a two year old daughter and a boyfriend, David, in her life. Both she and David are immigrants from Northern Africa, and are living on the financial edge. One Saturday, when we were giving Susannah a ride home, Dennis gave David two of his coats. One was a rain type jacket and the other a very warm shearling coat.

Last Saturday it was warm - 80 degrees and not a cloud in the sky. We gave Susannah a ride home, and when we were a few blocks away, Susannah called David, who was babysitting, and told he told her that he wanted to see Dennis. Dennis had been sick most of the week, and David was concerned and wanted to see him. As we drove up, David came out of the apartment building wearing the shearling coat and grinning from ear to ear. Susannah told us that he loves that coat.

We teased him a bit about wearing a winter coat in such warm weather, and he simply said that he wears it all of the time. He thanked us profusely for the coat, once again, and for bringing Susannah home. He hugged Dennis through the window asking how he was feeling and blessing us over and over.

It's not everyday that a simple action can bring so many warm feelings. It is easy for us, who have so much, to give away our stuff. Seeing someone so happy with what we have discarded makes the giver feel as great as the receiving. I am grateful for such small pleasures.

Until later,
Ann and Dennis