A Picture's Worth...
A little old man came into the
store holding a torn, green, vinyl double picture frame with
pictures of a young couple inside. The frame had been damaged and was torn
down the center.
It looked like someone had tried to repair it by using stiff,
letter clicker tape, which was unsuccessful. In fear of causing more damage
the man brought it to the frame shop. The expert framer was not able to
repair the frame. I could not help but overhear the request, and I asked
if I might take a look at the frame. I was not really sure what I was going
to do, but I asked him if I could keep the picture frame overnight.
The man sighed and said yes. He bowed his head as he walked out the door.
I carefully removed the stiff
tape and glued the fragments back together. Next, I applied an artificial
binding and cosmetically repaired the outer surface with a little bias
tape and DMC floss.
The next day, the little old man
came into the store and I handed him the frame. As I looked at him I said,
"No charge." I paid for the supplies out of my own pocket. He was impressed
by the craftsmanship and he started to cry. The pictures were of him and
his wife. He pointed to the picture and said, "This is my wife, she just
passed away. She put this frame together in the 1920s and I was so afraid
it was ruined." As a result, tears came
to my eyes and I said, "Well, you come back to see us anytime."
As he walked out the door, he said, "I will never forget you,
Christine."
He walked into my life at a time
I was feeling uncertain about my job and I wanted to quit. He made me realize
where I needed to be and what purpose my life really held. It is so much
of a blessing to give from the heart. What that little old man did for
me meant more to me than I could ever express. Later that year, I was quickly
promoted to a high-paying position as a craft coordinator. Sometimes,
God brings people into our lives for a
reason. I don't even know his name, but I will never forget
my little picture frame man.
By Christine James
from A Cup of Chicken Soup for the Soul
Copyright 1996 by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen & Barry
Spilchuk