The Scruffy Little Angel

Times were tough. I was raising my two children on my own. Working in a factory and always fighting for child support but never receiving it. This was many years ago. When getting child support did not seem to be important enough push it for us. It was better for me to do without than miss work, go to a hearing and still not receive it.

Christmas was coming and I had very little extra money if any. I took my two kids, Ed about 12 and Jess about 8 to the Dollar Store. I bought them some clothes and let them choose some play things. They knew not to expect much but we were happy. We had each other. The three musketeers as the kids would say.

As we walked around I came to a display of Christmas ornaments. They were all picked over. I noticed this little scruffy angel on a wire. Something you'd place in a planter or decoration. She was only a quarter and as I stood there and held her both my kids laughed. I asked what was so funny. They asked if I was going to buy that scruffy little angel. I asked why not? They told me how funny she looked. I came back with if I don't buy her no one else would. They just found that so comical. That was so cute to me.

So we walked around the store and finished our shopping. I finally went to the check out and when I laid the scruffy little angel up on the counter they laughed again. They just could not believe I was wasting a quarter on her.

As we walked to the car we still talked about her. I told them they did not realize what all this scruffy little angel for a quarter did. They asked me what and I told them. She made us smile and laugh. She made us talk what all she did for us. We had fun shopping and forgetting about our problems. She made us happy.

That was probably 20 or so years ago and we still talk about her and she still has a place in my home. She is one of our many misfit ornaments we have bought since then. Because nobody else would have. Because she made us smile. Because she gave us a precious memory.