Eleven years ago we had the family over for X-mas dinner

[OffWithTheirHeads]

The youngest grandson noticed that there was nothing in my Christmas stocking. He was 10. On Christmas day, I found that he had left $1.00 bill in my stocking. At 10 years old, he was not clear on the concept that I could pretty much buy myself anything I wanted for X-Mas. These things don't often occur to 10 year olds. All he knew was that it looked like granpa was getting short shrift so he pulled a dollar out of his wallet and stuck it in my stocking.

Now, I don't know about you but when I was 10, a dollar was a lot of money. I kept that dollar and wrote on it the year and who gave it to me and why.

That grandson turned 21 a few weeks ago. My wife is going to visit him next month and return the dollar.

Are you surprised that this kid votes straight Democratic ticket? Me either.

I don't really know why I am sharing this personal memory at this time but I just need a change from guns and fiscal cliff.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. Aww. What a nice Christmas story. A good kid...

[southernyankeebelle]

2. What a lovely story to share. Thank you for sharing

[annabanana]

3. Thank you.

A nice, gentle thought in a tough world.

[Booster]

4. What a great story. I bet he cries when he realizes you kept that dollar for so long. Both of you

guys are impressive. I bet he keeps it for the rest of his life. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

[OffWithTheirHeads]

5. We are also returning his Alladin sippy cup.

I'm not sure how he will feel about that.

[obamanut2012]

63. He will love it and drink beer from it

I bet money!

[BillyJack]

6. I think you're sharing that story b/c democrats these days are just "good to the bone"

they are good hearted and love "long".

Merry Christmas! Happy Hannukah! Happy Danali! Whatever your 'fest' of choice these days....

You Love!

[brooklynite]

7. I think you need to worry about the rest of the family...

They weren't mellow enough to fill your stocking with goodies? They should be "boiled in their own pudding, and buried with a stake of holly through their heart"

[OffWithTheirHeads]

8. Nah! They brought good appitites and I love to cook.

Hard to meke me happier than to tell me you love my cooking! They did.

[brooklynite]

9. Ditto; doesn't mean I don't want a stocking on Christmas...

[GreenPartyVoter]

10. Great kid, and that story was just what I needed. *hugs*

[OffWithTheirHeads]

13. Thanks. I'm glad this story is getting some attention as a change

From the doom and gloom I keep seeing here.

[bmbmd]

11. Merry Christmas!

and thanks for posting. Hug that boy for me.

[baldguy]

12. If only conservatives had such Christmas spirit!

But then, they wouldn't be conservatives would they?

[Mira]

14. Sweet

I was happy to read this. Merry Christmas to you and yours.

[OffWithTheirHeads]

16. You too Mira!

[AverageJoe90]

15. He probably gets that from you guys, TBH.

He sounds like a cool guy......

[malaise]

17. Lovely

Must be in his genes or his socialization - how thoughtful

[GeorgeGist]

18. Merry Christmas

Grandpa.

[AnotherMother4Peace]

19. K&R for a sweet Christmas memory.The demographics of DU is amazing - all age groups are represented

We're waiting for our youngest who is driving home from college. Should be getting here late tonight.

[adieu]

20. Should have given him $2

To show the power of compound interest.

[OffWithTheirHeads]

22. Fuck! I've had enough of Capitalisim!

[svpadgham]

33. Good thing you aren't a bank,

then you would have hit him with a $15 abandoned account fee.

[jtuck004]

47. I think he already knows what real value is. n/t

[yardwork]

21. That's a nice story. Thank you for sharing it here.

[TheOther95Percent]

23. I love that story.

I hope your grandson frames that dollar bill.

[Nye Bevan]

24. It was a gift. Don't return it.

Tell him you still remember it, and very much appreciate it, and give him a hug. But when I give a gift I don't want it to be returned.

[Divine Discontent]

50. exactly, it's a GREAT gift. keep it, that's what the GS wanted by giving it to him. maybe just show

it to him, and have her say your grandpa is so proud of the young man you've turned out to be, and this showed us that would be the case. I love this story, but don't return it.

[Curmudgeoness]

61. Returning it will be great.

It will mean so much to him....more than any gift. That his grandpa kept it all these years will mean something. And I bet that he keeps it, and may write more on it, and it may come back to grandpa again one day.

[ProudProgressiveNow]

25. Thanks for sharing that great story.

[Historic NY]

26. Its a great story, your grandson learned empathy....

at a young age, no doubt you and your family were the cause.

Merry Christmas to you all.

[A Little Weird]

27. That's sweet

[Canoe52]

28. Great story, thanks for sharing!

Another idea would be to have it framed and hung on your wall.

[SheilaT]

29. What a wonderful story.

What a wonderful young man.

That degree of awareness and compassion seems to me to be pretty amazing in a 10 year old. Obviously, he'd been raised well. He must have wonderful parents also.

[secondwind]

30. I loved reading this...

[BobTheSubgenius]

31. Excellent story - thank you!

[Beacool]

32. Lovely story, thanks for sharing it.

You have a good grandson.

[MomDude]

34. I'm the mom of The Boy

I hardly ever come on this site but I had to when I heard about this thread. I also ruined the surprise and read the post to my son, who was instantly blown away, to the point of tearing up just a little bit. He did not remember the incident. Before I read the comments to him he said "if he sends it back I'm going to frame it and send him a picture of it hanging on my wall!" i will tell you something about this child, I am humbled and grateful to be his mom. I love him so much and am so very proud of the man he has become. If I guided him in finding his truth, then I did my job, but in the end every person has to decide who they are going to be in this world, and this incident described so lovingly by his grandpa describes who the Boy is today. Thank you all for your kind comments.

[daleanime]

40. Merry Christmas!

Feel free to hang around when ever you like.

[MomDude]

66. Thank You!

Thank you, I think I will! I love you guys! This reception warmed my heart as well.

[uponit7771]

44. " If I guided him in finding his truth, then I did my job," Amen...

[qanda]

49. What a great family you all have

Having these kinds of proud Mom moments are what I live for. Merry Christmas to you.

[MomDude]

67. Thanks. We have our moments (which hopefully make up for all the other moments, ha ha).

You are so right, this is what we live for. I think back on all the years of constant struggle and think my God, look what I got out of the deal !!! I won !!! Merry Christmas to you and yours.

[AnneD]

56. Welcome to DU...

I too am the proud parent of a thoughtful child.

Once, when driving home from her 1st grade class, I ask her how her day went. She told me about the normal things and then she said something like...'and we had gym'. I knew by the way she said it that something bothered her. So I questioned her further. She told me what had happened and basically she had seen a child humiliated in the class when the teachers were trying to demonstrate something and the student did do it. "I think she was deaf Mommy-she had white hair and blue eyes". After her story I asked her.."and what did YOU do." "I didn't laugh at her Mommy, I tried to go over and be her friend".

I wish at 6 years old I had that much guts. I have to admit, I felt pretty small and humble next to my daughter. Seriously, who is suppose to be teaching who.

I called the Principal the next day and explained what my daughter had seen and how she had interpreted it. Well to my joy, the Principal had been my sister's kindergarten teacher. She assured me that she would discretely talk to my daughter and get to the bottom of the story. Within an hour and a half, she called me back. It seems the child was Danish, did not know English, and was a bit shy.

She went on to say that, although the situation was innocent, if one child could perceive it as my daughter did, others could too. She arranged for my daughter to have a special lunch with her new Danish friend and the Principal in the cafeteria-a high honor in the first grade world.

My daughter has grown to be a wonderful person. I can't tell you how much I worry about nice young people in the world today. There is so much ill will and pettiness. But these children are our hope.

Thank you for being a good parent.

[MomDude]

68. A thoughtful mother listened to her thoughtful child

Anne, thank you so much for sharing this beautiful story. I can't help but point out that she gets it from you. Uour words "I knew by the way she said it that something bothered her..." You are a sensitive and so is she, and you modeled caring behavior that, I bet, helped her to grow and nurture her own sensitivity. I also can relate to your comment about the worry. I have three sons who are honest and forthright and caring and so they expect everyone to be, and I've also had to *try* to teach them how not to be taken advantage of - and that doesn't come naturally to me. Thank you also for being a good parent. The best of the season from my house to yours. : -)

[renate]

35. what a darling!

When kids are sweet and thoughtful like that, it is so moving. It's like watching a flower bloom.

[juajen]

36. I'm with you. A change is good. Great story. I have a grandson like that.

He is so wonderful and I adore him. He is only 4 years old, but already a sweet soul.

[lucca18]

37. Wonderful story! Merry Christmas!

[DiverDave]

38. Sounds like your kid raised a great guy

good on all of ya.
Oh, and merry christmas.

[randome]

39. The thread title and your user name made me think this would be a screed against visiting relatives.

But it was not.

[JDPriestly]

41. The ability to feel compassion for others reveals itself very early in a child's life.

But it has to be nurtured.

Your family did a good job encouraging that 10-year old to think of others as well as himself.

He will do well and be loved in his life because his love for his fellow man will be returned. Lucky boy to have grandparents like you.

[dgauss]

42. Nice of you to remember for all those years.

I bet your grandson will remember you giving it back for even longer.

[merrily]

43. So, your grandson is a Socialist, huh?

Kidding, I'm kidding.

[ReRe]

45. Thank you for a beautiful Christmas story....

K&R

....about your then 10-yr old grandson, who is all grown up now. I'm sure yours will be his
favorite 2012 Christmas gift. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours!

[OldEurope]

46. Thank you!

And merry Christmas to you and your family!

[closeupready]

48. K&R

[Sekhmets Daughter]

51. What a lovely story.... You must be a proud grandpa! n/t

[WCGreen]

52. Happy to be the 200th Rec....

What a wonderful post for the holiday...

[Chorophyll]

53. Big K&R. Lovely.

[Raster]

54. Ah, crap.... something in my eye again.

[Whovian]

55. Raster, the same thing got in my eye as well.

[Raster]

65. Happy Holidays, my Friend!

[Aristus]

57. Sweet. You have a wonderful grandson.

I'm sure you had at least something to do with that.

[EmeraldCityGrl]

58. A generous soul is always a Democrat. eom

[cbrer]

59. AWESOME! nt

[elehhhhna]

60. isn't there any way you can be there to return it?

you deserve that moment!

[Beartracks]

62. You defaced Federal currency???!?!?!?!!?

j/k

Merry Christmas!



=============

[fadedrose]

64. Thank you for posting. Some humans are cool

and I thought it was only cats and dogs that were "human." I was wrong.