»
Archives
»
Open Poetry #36
»
The Little Tin Tree (A True Story - Annual Repost)
| Open Poetry #36 |
|
The Little Tin Tree (A True Story - Annual Repost) |
|
Mysteria 
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada 
|
 ~* The Little Tin Tree *~ I met a little girl on the East side of Vancouver, Holding a tin can and inside burned a candle so bright. I asked, "Why are you out in the dark by yourself?" She said, “I need a Christmas tree for tonight.” She wanted to surprise her Mother, and Brother, Just so excited about that can held in her hand. Someone threw a wasted candle out their window, So she ran to catch it before it could land. She said she was not supposed to play with matches, So she asked someone to light the candle for her. She smiled and said her tree would last longer Than any real one that sheds like Douglas fir. I asked may I to go with her to meet her family, Surprisingly she held my hand ever so tight. We walked somewhere I would never go alone, Especially in downtown Vancouver at night. My heart broke when I saw where she took me, For they lived in an alley,so dark and cold. It was with simple pride her mother told me, That her Marie had a heart of pure gold. I agreed with her and asked ever so carefully, Was there anything that I could possibly do? I offered her money for food, or some presents, Ensured her they'd all be wrapped, and brand new. I was shocked at what I heard next. She said, “Thank you, we're really alright." We have shelter at the Mission over there, And a warm beds and food for tonight. Then she looked at me again and said, “Wait! There is something I could ask of you." Do you have an old artificial Christmas tree? I’d like to surprise them andanything would do.” “Of course”, I said “I will be back this evening”. I'd leave it on this stoop and left to do my best. I'd bring a tiny tree for Marie, her and David, Making a Christmas for them now had become my quest. I phoned the Gospel Mission and got the dinner time. Then quickly, got my neighbours on deck to assist. We arrived at the alley with presents and a tree, I don’t think there was one thing we missed! I was so proud of my neighbours for helping, As they donated gifts from under their own tree, That told me a lot of their characters, To stop plans on Christmas Eve to come and help me. We hid and waited for them to come home, But also to make sure nothing was taken. To this day I will never forget their faces, At the sight of the tree, and the presents they were shaking! Oh, I know it was only one Christmas, And only one family we helped out that day, But it has stuck with me how fortunate I am, And that feeling will never, ever go away.  ~* This was an actual true story from 2001*~ That family made it and are no longer homeless but there are millions that are. Please be kind to them this season and all year. No one deserves to live that way, please share whatever you can, will you?  Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me. |
||
| © Copyright 2005 Mysteria 1997 - All Rights Reserved | |||
|
Earth Angel Member Empyrean
since 2002-08-27
Posts 40215Realms of Light |
Sharon, will you please continue to make this an annual post?!? This is a gift that could keep on giving. I am proud to call you a fellow pipster ~ and Canadian! May the spirit of Christmas be with you always! Love & Christmas Light, Linda  [This message has been edited by Earth Angel (12-23-2005 03:07 PM).] |
||
|
latearrival Member Ascendant
since 2003-03-21
Posts 5499Florida |
Good story. Nothing beats a true one like this.. martyjo |
||
|
Martie
Moderator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-09-21
Posts 28049California |
Sharon...The angel in this story was you!!  |
||
|
Mysteria
since 2001-03-07
Posts 18328British Columbia, Canada |
You know I think I told this before, but this family is now doing just great! She managed to get trained and got a job, both kids are in school, and they have a nice two-bedroom townhome in low-income housing now. I do buy them presents every year since this happened and am so honored to have been allowed to be part of their lives. I get to see all the changes each of them have made for the better due to just one small group that made a difference on one day once. I know we all tend to get "bugged" by the hands that stick out at us so often, but I for one think if they offer to do some small service in payment, what's the harm of sharing a bit of our wealth with those less fortunate. I tend to shy away from just a person who requests money, but listen to those willing to work a bit for it.  My uncle actually saves all his shoes for one man to polish up, and pays a man on the road to clean his windshield on his way there It is such a small thing to clean a closet out and especially this time of year. They are in dire need of blankets, jackets, etc. and if we take our old ones to an appropriate location - they will sure go to a good home! Trust me, I know! I am always a volunteer the day the truck drives up to St. John's with these coats, blankets, and sleeping bags, and your old coat can be new to someone else. Okay enough - Merry Christmas to you all. I am about to go underground and enjoy this season to the fullest. You all love the ones your with won't you?  |
||
Mistletoe Angel
since 2000-12-17
Posts 32816Portland, Oregon |
 (big angel hugs) Oh Sharon, as always this beautiful, heartwarming Christmas blessing amkes me cry every year, as I always think of the less fortunate all the time, but especially during the holiday season, for I've always believed since I first went to church as a child that, as written in Proverbs 19:17: "He/She who is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he/she will reward him for what he/she has done." (sigh) That's also why within the last few years, I began asking my parents to take most of the money they spend on me and give it to an alternative gift-giving institution instead like Heifer International or Vetaid, and I also make several efforts each December to volunteer at a rescue mission to feed and comfort the homeless! (angel hugs) God Bless You, sweet friend, I truly believe with all my heart in your most wonderful, loving deed for this wonderful person that you will be repaid in the resurrection of this righteousness, God Bless You, yay, and a most very merry Christmas to you and all your loved ones, we all love you so much! You have such a beautiful heart, sweet Sharon, thank you for sharing!  May love and light always shine upon you! Love, Noah Eaton "If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other" Mother Teresa |
||
|
Enchantress Member Empyrean
since 2001-08-14
Posts 35113Canada eh. |
I never tire of this story Sharon... Merry Christmas and God Bless You and Yours. ~Let peace begin with me... |
||
|
Balladeer
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-05
Posts 25505Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA |
This poem is you - and you are the poem. Knowing you is a blessing  |
||
|
miscellanea Member Elite
since 2004-06-24
Posts 4060OH |
This poem holds special meaning for me, although I didn't actually get to meet the homeless family I mention. I had asked that rather than to give me gifts that my first grade class donate some to the homeless shelter. When I went to deliver the gifts, the name of the homeless family was mentioned. It was an unusual last name that I had heard when learning of our family genealogy. I feel sure we were somehow related. It's a small world where fortune or misfortune could come to anyone! Thank you for sharing, Mysteria. miscellanea |
||
|
|
⇧ top of page ⇧ |
|
| All times are ET (US). All dates are in Year-Month-Day format. | ||
