Robert B.

Reason or occasion Brian honored Robert

An amazing act of generosity I got to witness

Robert B.'s Honor Story

Today at Northeast Mall in Hurst, Texas I was waiting for my wife Jamie as she went into a store. I was sitting in one of those paid massage chairs in "non-paid" mode. After sitting there for a few minutes an older gentleman sat next to me and whispered something excitedly to a pretty, mature lady who was with him. I didn't think anything of it at the time. After sitting there checking work email on my iPod while waiting the man suddenly became animated and forceful and said "ma'am, ma'am" kind of loudly trying to get the attention of a woman walking by with her young daughter. The mall was loud enough and the woman was walking fast enough that she was oblivious to his entreaties. I was curious about this and went back to email.

A minute later he did it again with someone else- he said (louder and more intentionally) "Ma'am, Ma'am!" A young Hispanic mom with her only daughter nervously stopped and cautiously responded. When she came closer with her daughter the man said to the little girl, "Do you believe in Santa Clause?" The little girl nervously nodded yes. The man handed the little girl a crisp $5.00 bill and said, "well here you go, Merry Christmas!" The mom was floored and smiled in a daze, not knowing what to do or say. She managed, "Thank you so much", and the little girl's eyes lit up and she showed all of her teeth in the smile that said, "Thank you".

At this time I was blessed to see that but went back to email. However, 30 seconds later another family traversing the mall was hailed loudly and confidently. The dad drew near followed by the mom and the little girl last. He pulled out the $5.00 more quickly this time and the dad grinned and fumbled around trying to say something (said the wrong thing) and the little girl happily took the money. The family stood around grinning and thanking the man. At this point I thought the man might be really doing this intentionally not just as a sudden favor to the first family.

Next a mom came by with two girls and the youngest got the $5.00 and cheerfully thanked the man. I was now watching (you know, and not trying to seem like I was watching..) and began to suspect I was seeing something special. The man excitedly asked the woman if he saw the reaction of the little girl and they enjoyed the moment. The man was becoming more and more excited, radiant, and determined. I could tell he was an older man but these exchanges had breathed into him something fresh and powerful. I was getting inspired.

Next, a woman with a very grim and unforgiving face came by with two girls, one older and one little one. He hailed them but this lady had apparently heard it all before and didn't want to give directions, be sold something, be evangelized, etc- she was on a mission and was tired. He was insistent and this time I hollered after her and said "you want to see this". She barely heard me because she had responded to his final urgent plea. She turned around in a very non-committal way and drew near (not very). He asked the little girl "Do you believe in Santa", she thought about it and said "yes". He had his stack of $5's showing and curled one out of the stack and handed it to her. The lady softened but she couldn't believe it. The woman who was with this gentleman leaned over to the little girl and said, "Santa told him to come and give that to you." (something like that)

When my wife came back I said, "Shhh, just stand here, and she got to witness this as well."

I had, had enough and introduced myself. I wanted to let people know about this. I started asking the man and the woman questions. Apparently the man lives in Tarrant County, TX and his wife of 61 years passed away recently. This woman had been married for a long time as well and her husband had passed away as well and they were friends. She was helping him with this project today. He told me he gets $5.00 in groups of $1,000. With an angelic sparkle of fire in his eye he said, "Yah, you want to know what I do when I run out? I go get another $1,000!" He leaned over, smiled wryly, and said, "You know I don't just give it to everyone- I'm picky. I don't give it to the upper-echelon."

I asked if I could take his picture. Then, his next family that came up I took a picture of them with him as well. It turns out this kind and passionate man was 87 years old. My pastor has said that when you get older you either get meaner or sweeter. He had chosen the latter. He was possessed with the gift of giving, with generosity. This man's life is like a lighthouse. I asked one of the moms that had received the gift if they had ever seen anything like it- they said no and just shook their head. Those children, no those parents too, will never forget this- I won't.

When I spoke to the man and woman I explained to them that I had started a Website to honor people called ToHonorThem.com and I wanted to honor him and feature him on the front page. She explained he did not have email etc but promised she would show him the honor and I got her email address.

I don't know what God had in mind to let me see something like that but I will never forget it. Its as important to me that I honor Robert for me and my kids to remember as it is for him to enjoy our respect, thanks, and admiration.

When we walked away my wife said, "Well, you got your Christmas story."