My Cup Runneth Over

Needing to get something laminated I headed down to Staples Office Supply. Getting out of my truck I saw a Coca Cola stand set up in front of the store. Written on the side was a hand printed poster which read “Need donations badly for a heart lung transplant for Mark.”

I smiled at the two women as I passed them by and entered the store.

“Well, hello Roger Dean Kiser,” said Celeste, as I held out a 12X14 poster which my three-year-old Granddaughter had made for Judy and I for Grandparents day.

“Like to get this laminated,” I said, as I laughed and pointed at the picture of Madison glued to the poster.

“That’s darling,” she replied.

“Looks to me like she had to use the bathroom real bad when that was taken,” I told her.

“Oh, don’t say that,” said Celeste, as she laughed.

While waiting to get the poster laminated, I stood looking out the window as people would buy a coke or hotdog and hand the two older women their money to help Mark.

“Here you go,” she said as she handed me the finished poster.

After paying her I looked at the poster as I walked out the door and headed to my truck, my heart filled with joy the entire time. The temperature must have been 98 degrees and the humidity was somewhere around 110.

As I pulled out of the parking space, I once again looked at the two women running the small coke stand. I reversed the truck, pulled back into the space, and turned off the ignition. I got out of the vehicle and walked over to the stand.

“Can I help you today, sir,” said one of the women.

"Are either one of you the Grandmother of Mark?” I asked.

“Yes, we both are,” she replied.

I stood there wondering what I should order.

I took out my wallet and looked inside. All I had was twelve dollars. I took out the money.

“What would you like?” she asked again.

“Believe it or not, all I want is an empty cup,” I told her.

Slowly she reached over and handed me a small empty coke cup.

When I held out the twelve dollars she, looking puzzled, reached out and took the money.

“Happy Grandparents day and tell Mark hello from Roger and Judy and that he is in our prayers.”

The woman covered her face and turned away.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you,” she said.

“No, thank you for being such wonderful Grandparents to Mark,” I replied.

I turned and headed back to my truck.

Sometimes in our own joy we forget just how lucky we are.

~ Roger Dean Kiser ~

True stories from The Life and Times of Roger Dean Kiser
http://www.geocities.com/trampolineone/survive/srv080.htm

My book “Runaway-Life on the Streets-The lessons learned” has finally been released. Those of you who buy an autographed copy directly from me; I will also send you a free “The Life and Times” audio CD of my stories. I believe I have about fifteen left. Autographed copies link: http://www.geocities.com/trampolineone/survive/srv080.htm

[ by: Roger Dean Kiser Copyright © 2007 (trampolineone@earthlink.net) -- submitted by: Roger Dean Kiser ]