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“I would like to introduce you all to a remarkable young woman, a woman who embodies everything I respect in a human being, a woman who is Henry Department Stores’ Spirit of Christmas.”
There was an expectant hum among the crowd.
“You may ask how she embodies this spirit we wanted to focus on this year, so I will tell you—by exhibiting pure kindness to the ‘least of these.’” He proceeded to share the tale of their meeting, of icy sleet, warm coffee, and really ugly Christmas socks.
“And here are the very socks that sweet young lady placed on my frozen feet.” Mr. Henry lifted his leg and tugged up his trousers to show everyone the hideous silver-balled socks.
There was laughter and a spattering of applause.
Mr. Henry smiled and dropped his leg. “Do you know what that cup of coffee and pair of socks meant to an old frozen bum?”
He gave a dramatic pause.
“It meant life.”
Mary Paige wiggled as a poignant silence descended upon the spectators. Mr. Henry was making her sound like a saint. She wasn’t. She was just a normal human being doing what normal human beings did.
“So, this Christmas, MBH Industries wants to do something a little different. We want Christmas to not only be a time to make merry and get shiny-wrapped presents. We want it to be a time to show love to your fellow man in small, yet significant ways. It’s your turn to be an angel, just like Mary Paige. It’s your turn to offer kindness and hope to strangers all over our city.”
He gave a big grin. “That generosity earned Mary Paige Gentry a check for two million dollars.”
A collective gasp went up in the crowd, followed by the buzz of chatter.
He really had their attention now.
“All over the city, I have elves watching, waiting to catch people showing others they care.”
The buzz got louder.
“Your kindness may get you one hundred dollars, a Henry’s gift card, or tickets to a movie. It may get you a pair of diamond earrings or a free dinner at Commander’s Palace. Or it may net you a new friend, a sense of goodwill, and a few points with the Big Man upstairs.”
Excitement stirred. Mary Paige hadn’t realized the extent of the campaign.
“This is no gimmick, folks. This is a sincere attempt to show everyone what I have learned over the past six months. People deserve compassion and dignity. Everyone, even a homeless man, deserves kindness, deserves something to warm him on a cold, heartless night. This year Henry’s wants to celebrate the true Spirit of Christmas. The eternal gift bestowed by our heavenly Father. The gift of love.”
The applause was deafening, and many of the people were looking at her.
She felt the heat at her cheeks and smiled.
“I give you Mary Paige Gentry and the future of MBH Industries, my grandson, Brennan Henry. Together they will light the tree…and perhaps something more within you all.”
More applause.
Brennan took her elbow and moved her toward the torch.
“Steady hand. I don’t really want to go to the emergency room,” he whispered. He waved and looked quite merry for a Scrooge. She moved with him because he had a good grip on her elbow.
As Brennan lifted the torch, the choir softly sang “O Christmas Tree.” He extended the handle of the torch toward her, and she grasped it, her hand landing on top of his. Together they moved the flambeau toward the box that would trip a switch to light the huge Christmas tree.
Mary Paige had lived in New Orleans for a few years and had never been to this ceremony, so she wasn’t quite sure how it worked. Strings of LED lights covered the branches, and she knew the flickering flames on the end of the torch had nothing to do with the actual lighting—it was only symbolic.
As the torch touched the switch, the flames went out and the tree came alive with thousands of twinkling white lights.
Applause broke out as the choir launched into “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year” and elves frolicked on the stage, juggling red and green balls, doing cartwheels and pirouettes as Santa waved to children. The mayor shook Mr. Henry’s hand, as did the other dignitaries.
She stood there stupidly, still holding the torch as Brennan smiled and waved like a true son of the city.
The crowd joined in the singing and Mary Paige felt awash in the holiday spirit.
