The Christmas Coat

The Christmas Coat

author unknown

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An old boy 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

When he bumped into a little boy

That looked like he was lost

And he said “Mister can you help me

Find out how much something costs?

Here it is almost Christmas

And the nights are gettin cold

Winter time is on us

And my mom don’t have a coat

I’ve been workin for the neighbors

And saving for a time”

And in his tiny outstretched hand

Was a dollar and a dime

His 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

He said “Son

that’s just what this coat costs

We’re lucky that we found ‘er”

And he turned around and gave a wink

To the lady at the counter

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

He said “ I thank you for your help sir

And I kindly thank you ma’am

I hope y’all are gonna have a big Christmas

Cause now I know I am”

Well the old boy walked home busted

Except for the dollar and the dime

Thinkin he’d just have to buy

The coat another time

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

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 “

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”

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

Then one day came some bitter news

That filled his heart with fright

The doctor told the old man’s wife

That she was going to lose her sight

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”

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 “

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

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

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”

The old man stared in disbelief

Then he recognized that smile

The one he’d seen those years ago

On a loving thoughtful child

He 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

My mother’d been mistreated

Neglected and abused

But she gave life just one more chance

And it was all because of you

Now every year she takes that coat

And lays it beneath our tree

It represents to us the things

That Christmas ought to be

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 “