This morning Dw went with the three little boys to our church to help assemble
2500 bicycles for needy children in Phoenix.  This has become my man and our boys
yearly tradition and they look forward to it for weeks as it approaches!!
We love having our kids serving!

With the boys gone, the girls and I headed out early to do some shopping.

When the boys finished up several hours later, Dw and I talked and decided to meet up for just a speck more shopping.

Dw and the boys arrived at the little store as I was finishing up paying for my order.
Dw sat down nearby to wait.  I turned to look them and my eyes caught
the eyes of an older gentleman who had just entered the crowded little store.

The man’s eyes twinkled and his smile was ear-to-ear as he looked at me.  His smile made
me smile huge.  He reminded me of my precious father-in-love whom I miss so very much.
He really did look a great deal like he did when he was in his 70’s.

I wanted to tell Dw to check him out because I thought he would also remind him of his dad.  But I completely forgot in the hubbub of all the kids excitedly talking as I finished up my order.

Dw, the kids and I maneuvered Ruby’s wheelchair out and headed over to the van.  We were trying to decide what we should do next.

When we reached the van, the boys were excitedly telling me about the bike-assembly adventure from the morning and there was quite a bit of commotion as we stood at the car figuring it all out.   As we lifted Ruby’s chair into the van, I turned to see the older gentleman with the twinkling eyes heading in our direction.  I thought, “He looks like he’s coming right over!”

I smiled at him as he approached.

Before long he stood right in front of me and with a giant smile said, “Thank you for what you do!”  I started to laugh, “This is just half of the number of kids we have. {Liberty had spent the night at Graham and Savannah’s and was not with us.}  The man laughed as well and said, “Wow!  That’s just great!  Thank you though for what you are doing.”  I assured him that it was our joy and privilege and that we were actually having a blast!

Dw had come from strapping Ruby in through the side van door by now and the three of us stood talking for a couple of minutes.   His name was much like ours and we laughed together as he had the same first name as one of Dw’s uncles!

He then reached his fisted hand toward mine 
thrusting money into it and questioned me, 
“Would you please take this to help with your family?”  
My eyes welled with tears and I instantly hugged him.  
He gently kissed me on the cheek.  
It was so sweet, it makes me giggle as I type.

We thanked him profusely.  

Such a generous act of kindness from the older gentleman with the twinkling eyes who reminded me of the man I miss so much.

My heart smiles.  I think he may well 
have been an angel from the Lord.