A Bakery Box on the Counter

--by lhatton, posted Dec 23, 2007

I have always loved our local library and every couple weeks, I've started to stop by on my lunch break.

As the weather has gotten colder I have noticed that the library is more crowded during the day and not smelling very pleasant. It seems that the library is a popular place for our local homeless to gather to get out of the bad weather. I am glad that there is a warm safe place for people to get out of the bad weather, but I also wonder what it is like for the librarians who work there every day.

Recently, on the way back from a business meeting, I stopped at a bakery and picked up my favorite treat -- a Napoleon. I love the bakery's Napoleons and was looking forward to enjoying the treat when I got back to my office. That day, I also stopped by the library to get a book and as I was walking to the library, I was again thinking about the librarians again and how difficult it must be for them to deal with the unruly teenagers and large crowds of homeless.

I dropped off a book and quickly picked out another. As I was checking out my book, I set the bakery box on the counter and the librarian teased, “Oh, you brought us a treat”.

Immediately, I wiped out a Smile Card and placed it on the box as I slid it towards her and said, “Why yes I did”. With a surprised look, she replied, “You can’t be serious”. I just smiled and left.

I know there was enough there for more than one person to enjoy (although I was gluttonously going to eat the whole thing myself!) so I hope it brought some comfort to a few of the librarians.

It felt so right that I walked out and went next door to get a gift card to hand out the next time I'm in the library. And I got myself a scone too. :)

4973 Reads

Posted by lhatton
Dec 23, 2007
Comments (18)

Readers Comments

lmil1954 wrote: All phases of this story are great. First the homeless agthering at the library-I too am glad they have a warm place to go. Your thoughts for the librarian as well as your deed goes over and above. Bless your precious heart!

makesomeonesmile wrote: That is wonderful. Thanks for being so kind and making a difference!

brighteyes wrote: What a "sweet"heart you are...I too adore Napoleons and know what a scarifice it was to give it away to the libraians....how simply wonderful...definitely worth the 4 smiles & more..
Merry Christmas & God Bless you lhatton!

JuneBug wrote: It is hard to give some things we love because inwardly we are selfish, but you showed different and then some! May God bless you as you have many others around you!

totemblaze wrote: What a wonderful story.

Namaste wrote: Fantastic! It's wonderful to have SmileCards handy, and some of the best "tags" are ones like the one you beautifully recreate for us with your story that are done spontaneously!

katlampi wrote: I had actually never thought about how hard it must be for librarians. The same thing happens in our town, where the homeless use the library as a warm safe place to go, and the teens and pre-teens often hang out there after school. It must be interesting dealing with so many different types of people, especially ones who aren't really there to learn. I'll certainly keep this in mind when I'm at the library next. Thanks for sharing these great ideas! :)

yoyo wrote: Awwww...love that story. I love reading those spontaneous acts of selflessness. Merry Christmas to you! Yo!

smiles33 wrote: The fact that you past on your treat without hesitation shows that the generosity and kindness in your heart is genuine. God bless you and the beautiful people you gave to.

lOVEBUG wrote: I am always amazed when I read the stories on this web site. I will remember your unique and generous spirit the next time I visit the library.

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