The Christmas Coat
Author Unknown
1- A man was fumblin' around one day
In a women’s clothing store.
He’d found his wife a Christmas coat
And was headed for the door.
2- But he bumped into a little boy
That looked like he was lost.
The boy asked, “Mister can you help me
Find out how much something costs?"
3- "Here it is almost Christmas
And the nights are gettin' cold
Winter time is on us
And my mom don’t have a coat."
4- "I’ve been workin' for the neighbors
And saving for a time."
And in his tiny outstretched hand
Was a dollar and a dime.
5- The man's gaze went from that big eyed boy
To that pretty Christmas coat.
And he finally cleared away the lump
That had gathered in his throat.
6- He said “Son that’s just what this coat costs,
We’re lucky that we found her."
And he turned around and gave a wink
To the lady at the counter.
7- She put it in a pretty box
And wrapped it up just so
And went off in the back
And found a big red Christmas bow.
8- The boy said “ I thank you for your help sir
And I kindly thank you ma’am.
I hope you're gonna have a great Christmas
Cause now I know I am.”
9- Well the man walked home busted
Except for the dollar and the dime
Thinking he’d just have to buy
The coat another time.
10- He told his wife that Christmas this year
Wouldn’t be much fun
And he gently took her in his arms
And told her what he’d done.
11- She said “ Why, you old softie
I wouldn’t trade you for a farm.
I’ve got two or three old coats
And your love to keep me warm.“
12- She put that money in a matchbox
And placed it beneath their tree
And said “That is the grandest gift
You’ve ever given me.”
13- The years went by like years will do
When people are in love
Their marriage was a golden bond
That was forged by God above.
14- Then one day came some bitter news
That filled the man's heart with fright.
The doctor told the old man’s wife
That she was going to lose her sight.
15- He said “There’s an operation we can do
But it puts me on the spot
'Cause it’s a quite complex procedure
And it’s going to cost a lot.”
16- The old man said “Doctor I’m a failure
I’ve made no preparation
We don’t have the money
For that kind of an operation.“
17- The doctor got the strangest look
And he sat there for a while.
And then he slowly nodded
And he broke out in a smile.
18- He said “ Why, sir you can’t fool me
You’re a very wealthy man
You long ago invested
In the world’s best savings plan.
19- I’ll see she gets the best of care
She’s going to be just fine.
And the total cost to you old friend
Is a dollar and a dime.”
20- The old man stared in disbelief
Then he recognized that smile
The one he’d seen those years ago
On a loving thoughtful child.
21- The doc said “What you gave to me that day
Was more than just a coat
You gave me the gift of giving
And you gave my mother hope."
22- "My mother’d been mistreated
Neglected and abused
But she gave life just one more chance
And it was all because of you."
23- "Now every year she takes that coat
And lays it beneath our tree
It represents to us the things
That Christmas ought to be."
24- "She says that when we leave this world
For a better home someday,
The only things that we’ll take with us
Are the things we gave away.“