When the Wrong Thing Benefits a Child

Ok advocates, the company is on an extremely tight budget. So, this means no over time. Well Ms. Anderson, what about the Christmas Giving Train, please don't say funding has been cut for this as well? Shayla, I know you think we can help every low income family but we can't. "Those" people need to start helping themselves. What do you mean, "those" people? You know, the down on my luck, poor & down trodden dreads of life. Ms. Anderson is less than compassionate, thought Shayla. So, any person found going over budget, will face immediate termination. The holidays were approaching & Shayla found herself feeling bitter sweet in spirit. Ms. Shayla, I can't wait for Santa to bring me my special skates. That sounds exciting Kie. Yes, my mom says if she can work a double shift, then I can get them. Days had past & the Christmas Giving Train had arrived. Many families filled the waiting area. As Shayla handed out free toys, her heart was filled with joy but over in the corner she noticed Kie & her mom. They approached Shayla with saddened faces. What's wrong Kie? I know it's last minute & I know you have other families but do you have any leftover toys for Kie? I couldn't work my double shifts, so....Ms. Brown, I'm sorry but I can't assist you. Our funding was cut & toys are limited & already accounted for. Please, please, Kie won't have a Christmas if you can't help me! Shayla looked over at the leftover toys & then looked over at Ms. Anderson. Shayla pondered, do I risk my job or do I help this family? Besides, she would be doing something special for a very special child. Shayla quickly loaded several gift boxes into Ms. Brown's car. Nervous & heart beating fast, she hugged both Ms. Brown & Kie. Shayla hurried back to her post. When her shift was over, she walked over to the sign out table, where Ms. Anderson was standing, stiff faced & stearn in stature. Well, good night Ms. Anderson, as Shayla quickly walked off. Shayla was almost to her car & thinking, "Oh my God, I can't believe I did that!" She was thinking she could have lost her job. Just as she approaced her car door, Shayla felt a tap on her left shoulder. She turned around & there was Ms. Anderson, starring straight into Shayla's eyes. She was frozen stiff & couldn't speak. Shayla, sometimes you just have to do the wrong thing for the right reason. Ms. Anderson smiled at Shayla, winked her eye, shook her hand & politely walked away. Shayla got into her car & was moved to tears. Not only had she made a little girl's Christmas but she had managed to move on the heart of a very stone cold hearted individual. Sometimes, there’s no thin line between right & wrong when it comes to putting a smile in the heart of a child. Shayla went on about her evening. Shayla replayed her interaction with Ms. Anderson over & over. She kept thinking that Ms. Anderson's conversation with her was too good to be true. What if this was an act to get Shayla fired from her job? What if this would be Shayla's final day at work? The embarrassement of it all & just because she wanted to give Kie a great Christmas. She went into work smiling but scared as heck on the inside. Everything seemed to be normal. Her desk was still in tact, her name was still on the door. She went into the breakroom to put up her lunch. She passed by Ms. Anderson's office & there was a sign on the door..."In a Meeting." Shayla worried that the meeting was about firing her! She was so worried that her stomach was in knots. She regreted what she had done, she was even hating the moment she met Ms. Brown. What a stupid thing I did trying to help another poor & down trodden person! Besides, it's not my fault she couldn't afford Christmas for Kie. Dam! Shayla went back into her office & closed her door. Her desk phone rang within seconds. Shayla can you please come into my office? Yes ma'am Ms. Anderson, I'll be right over. Shayla approached Ms. Anderson's door. She was shaking in her boots. Have a seat Shayla. Ms. Anderson is everything ok? I'll ask the questions. Oh my God, she's back to normal. Reality has hit. Shayla wanted to up chuck. She had never been this afraid. Ms. Anderson was getting papers together & then laid a Mont Blanc pen next to the papers. Shayla, I wanted to speak to you about what happened at the Christmas Giving Train. Shayla almost fell over her chair. I've had a conversation with the Director about it & we've come up with a decision about you. I'm so sorry Ms. Anderson. I'll replace the toys but please don't fire me. Fire you? Shayla, it took guts & love to do what you did. Someone showed the same act of kindness to my mother when she was raising me & my 6 siblings. Our life was hard, so that made me hard. I became stiff, folded up & hard hearted but what you did brought back precious memories for me. Not many people would have done what you did with me around but you did & I was moved with compassion. So, the director & I have decided to promote you to Lead Advocate. Is there a second Lead Advocate position? No, it's my position. Your position, I don't understand. I'm stepping down & giving you my position Shayla. This position needs someone like you. Someone who looks past politics & moves by their heart. Ms. Anderson had Shayla sign for her new position, handed her the keys to her old office. She gathered her personal belongings & left Shayla with these words...Shayla, you will go far in life. Just keep doing the wrong thing for the right reason.