Hello xanga world! I know I've been a bit lazy with this, but I had a must share experience that completely floored me. Maybe I shouldn't be so surprised, but the cynic in me was definitely floored. So we went to Chicago for Thanksgiving .... (soooo sorry to everyone we could not visit. the time was too short and spent mostly with family). The time was great, good company, good food, and lots of family lovin. But here's my story. We decided to go shopping on black Friday. My hubs left early morning at 5am to look for some good deals. He never does this, but this year, he was somehow motivated to wake up at this rediculous hour. Well, he came back and we left to go shopping all together with his family around 11am. Grandma and I had a goal, to finish our Christmas shopping for the kids. So we ended up at GKids. I found these great thick warm vests for my nephews and was so excited that I found something, accomplished my goal, with a 30% discount on the entire purchase. We ended up with so many bags and guess what happened??? OH NO, we left one of the bags behind... either at B&N or Cheesecake... who knows. But, we didn't even realize until we left Chicago and returned to VA because we were flying out that night. so hectic, crazy, busy, crowded. But I was deeply saddened to realize it was the bag with the vest collection - 2 for the nephews and 1 for kara. Total value about $70. Man, I was upset. How could we do that?? We called the various stores and nowhere to be found. How can anyone take the bags and re-gift them to someone else with a clear conscience? Bummed. I was even comtemplating if I should get a gift for the nephews now... hey, thought that counts, right? NO, of course I have to get them something... but the vests again... uhm... probably not. But, the story doesn't end... Last night, anson was looking at our account and he found something rather peculiar. Someone returned the whole bag on 11/30 and credited it back to our account!! Can you believe that?? I was shocked. What could this person have been thinking over the 6 days.... cuz we bought it on the 24th, so from the 24-30th, what was going thru this person's head? were they feeling guilty about it? was it their intention all along to return it to the store? or were they just trying to return it in the hopes of getting money back?? Don't know... But, so thankful that it was returned and I'd like to quiet the cynic in me and say that it was an act of sheer kindness. That this person was thinking about how the owner of the bag would feel and wanted to do something nice in the hopes of blessing another. Wouldn't it be great if we all looked for opportunities to demonstrates acts of kindness, even if done anonymously. Just knowing that our actions would bring blessing and happiness to another person - praying that it would point to a loving God which would overflow into much thanksgiving and praise! Well, I am definitely thankful to my loving Father who so deeply cares for his beloved children. He always knows my needs and wants to be involved in every area of my life... not just the big moments, but especially the day to day. | 
