It's a quiet,warm Sunday morning, you can hear the birds in the tree singing and outside in the garden you can hear the fountain. The house is still quiet because it's only 6:00. But how can you still sleep if you are so excited you can hardly keep it in.
It's Hanna's Birthday today and she is so excited, she is going to see all her friends and family. She couldn't wait to put on her new dress that grandma made for her. She is going to look like a princes.... "O, how I wish time can go faster" Hanna thought to herself. They have this family tradition that on you birthday you have to stay in bed till mom and dad wakes you up with coffee and cake in bed. But the problem is she can't hear them, have they forgotten that it's her birthday today? She decided to wait a few more minutes then she will go and see whats going on.
Suddenly her door went open....It was mom and dad....they came in with cake and coffee! She was so happy and relieved. Now her day can finally start.
After finishing up, she put on her dress and went down the stairs to mom and dad who was waiting for her. Everything was ready. Fist they are going to church and after that they are having a picnic at the river with her family and friends to celebrate her 13th birthday. It was so nice to see everyone at church, they also had a fun youth service...its was all about the Good Samaritan. She knows this story so well but yet she couldn't seem to think of anything else.
After church they have greeted everyone and of they went to the river. Dad pulled up next to were the rest of the family was waiting for them and she jumped out of the car. She was like a Jack in a box...she couldn't keep the excitement in that was building up the whole morning. Her friends was the first to come and great her and they were laughing, jumping up and down and just hugging Hanna. She greeted all her family. They started a fire and was playing music. They played games and was singing and just having fun.
Somewhere around the afternoon Hanna noticed someone sitting about a 100 meters from them.It was a young girl,she was curled up and just stared at them. It seemed like he dress was a bit torn. At first she tried not to give much attention. But she couldn't help but feel drawn to this girl. They are having so much fun and this girl is lonely, it looked like she didn't even had something to eat for days.
Hanna decided to go to her. At first she hesitated but took a deep breath and went up to her. When this girl saw that Hanna is coming towards her she drew her legs closer to her body. Hanna went and sit next to her. She didn't say anything. "What should I do" Hanna thought. The girl lowered her face.
Hanna broke the silents:
"I'm Hanna, whats your name?".
With a soft and gentle voice the girl replied: " I'm Missy" she lowered her face again.
"How old are you Missy?" Hanna asked.
"I'm 10 years old" Missy replied.
There was a silence between them. Hanna wondered why she was alone here, she looked around but couldn't see anyone.
"Are you alone here Missy?" Hanna asked after a few minutes. She didn't want to scare her.
She saw how Missy's face grew sad and decided to take hold of her hand. It was so soft but yet so cold.
" Missy would you like to join me and my friends, we are having a party and it would be really nice if you join us" Hanna asked.
First Missy hesitated, but when she looked up into Hanna's friendly, loving eyes she couldn't say no, Missy agreed and got up. Hanna had this strange feeling in her heart...she couldn't explain it. When they got back to Hanna's family she introduced Missy and everyone was so nice to her. They made Missy feel so comfortable and welcome.
During the afternoon she found out that Missy has lost her parents and everything that she had. She didn't had a place to go or any friends or family to take care of her. Hanna felt so sad for her. It seemed like everyone was touched by this girls sadness. They started playing games again and Missy joined in the fun, it seemed like it lifted her mood. Hanna was relieved and started to relax again.
It was starting to get late and everyone was on their way home now.Hanna's parents decided to take Missy into their home till they can help her on her feet again or find someone that can maybe help her.
That evening when Hanna went to bed she was thinking of the day and how she enjoyed her birthday. This year was more special than the previous year. She thought of Missy, and how it must feel to loose you parents and be alone with no one to care for you. She thought of the good Samaritan, what he did and how he helped the guy who was hurt. It's like Missy, she was now save and warm. For the first time she realized that her parents was like the Samaritan who was helping Missy. She felt this warm feeling in her heart and realized that this is how it feels when you help someone else. When you think of others first before your own needs.
This is the biggest birthday present she could ever asked for, to help someone else in need.
May your kind gesture touches someone else's life. We never no what we have till we see someone else in need.
