One's Girl's Fortune

This morning we all went to Target to get a few last minute things before our trip to Iowa. Somewhere along the way, Lorelei found a penny which went into her pocket. Andres reminded her that she could put it in her piggy bank when we got home. She said no.

Lorelei saw a display of swimsuits and asked if she could take one home. I explained that Grandma Becky had already bought a new suit for her which she would get in just a few more days. Then she saw a swimsuit cover. (Granted I also thought that it was pretty cute). Lorelei picked up a 2T and asked if it was her size. I told her no, that
one was too small. At that moment I made a decision. I could have said something along the lines of, "There aren't any in your size" and that would have been the end of it. Instead I pointed out that there was one in her size, but that $10 was too expensive. She just nodded her head in understanding (certainly not the first time that she has heard me say that it is more than I am willing - not able- to pay.)

In the check-out line, she had her hand buried deep in her pocket with the penny. I must have looked at her oddly because she told me, "I have everything right here that I need," patting her pocket. She continued with, "I have a lot of money." Oh, yes honey. That is quite a fortune you have there.

Right outside the exit of the Target is always the same elderly man with his folding table, his polite requests to help the homeless, and his collection box. I realize that Lorelei doesn't have a full nor adult understanding of things like money and charity, but she does know that money buys things like swimsuits and clothes. She knew that she had money in her pocket (and thought it was worth quite a bit!). And she knew before we got out the doors, that she was going to give her money to the man, because she told me so. I bet she knew long before that. I bet she knew where that penny was going to go the instant that she found it.

Shyness took hold of Lorelei but after a great deal of hand holding, she put her penny in the box. Andres remarked that for all the hoopla, the man must have been expecting at least a dollar, not just a single penny. Truth be told, I almost cried. My heart melted to see her act so selflessly.